45: Lauryn Hill – Powerful Women of 2013

Lauryn Hill made her presence known as part of the the '90s hip-hop group, the Fugees. While the singer-rapper became well-known for her part on songs like 'Ready or Not' and 'Fu-Gee-La,' off 1996's 'The Score,' we found out just how amazing of a singer she was when she covered Roberta Flack's 'Killing Me Softly With His Song.' She had a little stint in acting with her role in 'Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit' being one of her more notable roles.

Hill released 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' in 1998, an album that not only spawned the hit 'Doo Wop (That Thing)' but also became the LP that defined her as an artist. In 1999, Hill made history by being the first female artist to walk away with five Grammys for that album.

After the fame of that LP, she went through various periods of hiatus from the spotlight. On occasion, she has made public appearances and performed at the Raggamuffin Festival in 2010, Coachella in 2011 and with the Roots at Wawa Welcome America in 2012.

Despite Hill's current incarceration, she still has influence on how R&B music is created today and is still considered an inspiration to many new artists. And of course, we can never forget the impact of 'The Miseducation.'