Lauryn Hill - Everything Is Everything

About "Everything Is Everything"

"Everything Is Everything" is a song recorded by American recording artist Lauryn Hill for her debut solo studio album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). It was written by Hill and Johari Newton, and produced by Hill. During the recording sessions, Hill wanted to write about injustice and struggles amongst youth communities in inner city areas of the United States. The song contains R&B, 1960s soul, and hip hop influences. It marked the first commercial appearance of singer and pianist John Legend, who was 19 years old when he played the piano on the song. The song was released as the third and final single from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on May 3, 1999, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records.

"Everything Is Everything" garnered acclaim from critics, many of whom praised its lyrical themes and genre variance. The song was a top 40 hit in the United States, peaking at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Internationally, it reached the top 20 in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The song was nominated for a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award; it also received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, however it was revoked due to being released in the previous eligibility period.The accompanying music video for "Everything Is Everything" was directed by Sanji, and filmed in the Method Studios in Los Angeles. It depicted Hill walking throughout New York City. The video received three MTV Video Music Award nominations, including Best Hip Hop Video. At the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards (2000), it was nominated for Best Short Form Music Video. In 2010, Pitchfork listed it as one of the "Top 50 Music Videos of the 1990s". The song was covered by The Roots and Booker T. Jones for the latter's album The Road from Memphis (2011).