Classic Album Sundays, the most popular and respected classic album listening event in the world, is setting up shop in Chicago to expose your ears to a spiritually-charged musical experience like no other. Saturday Audio Exchange, CHIRP Radio, Dark Matter Coffee, and event organizer Sam Willett will be celebrating soulful wisdom behind Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by listening to it in its entirety on vinyl.

Lauryn Hill wrote honest music. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is an album inspired by thinking outside of the box and asking, what does it mean to be a lover and emotional human being? Hill was at a major crossroads at the start of the album’s development— some relationships were breaking while new and unexpected ones were forming, not to mention she was only 22. The excitement and turmoil behind these changes led her to the next stage of her life, where new musical inspirations were revealed. This cured a spurt of writer’s block and formed the album’s contents, revealing a woman who is “strong, independent, positive, and [knows they] can choose [their] own destiny and path.”

These lessons shook the world and made Lauryn Hill a sensation. Hill was nominated in ten categories and scooped up trophies for Best New Artist, Best R&B Song, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Album at the 1999 Grammy Awards. This made her the first woman in the show’s history to receive that many nominations. She was also the first hip-hop artist to be featured on the cover of Time magazine and many other major publishers. In 2015, it was included in the Library of Congress in the National Recording Registry.

We are providing a custom-curated hi-fi audio system to make this experience come to life on vinyl. In attending the event, you will listen to the album as if you are watching a movie- no phones, no distractions, and complete focus on the beauty engrained in The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Take a look at the sound equipment Classic Album Sundays typically uses at their events here. 

When the event starts, a vinyl-exclusive playlist, including artists that influenced and have been influenced by Lauryn Hill will be played. Attendees should take this warm up time to take a look around Saturday, visit with our event partners, socialize with new and old friends, and drink beverages. When we have a full house, we will give attendees a ten-minute warning to use the bathroom and make any phone calls before the album starts. Then, Sam will introduce the album drop the needle. From there, your mind should be completely involved with the album and prepared for a musical adventure.

Schedule

5:30-6:30 pm- Sam will play a musical leadup playlist of artists that inspired or have been inspired by Ms. Lauryn Hill, including Erykah Badu, Aaliyah, D'Angleo, Bob Marley, and Wu-Tang Clan. Free Sam-made Lemonade and Dark Matter Coffee coffee is available to attendees. It's also BYOB.

6:35 pm- Sam gives presentation on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, detailing its recording process and lyrical content, detailing its recording process and lyrical content

6:45 pm- Sam drops the needle on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill