10 Greatest Debut Singles Of All Time

7. Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That Thing)

Cheating here somewhat as Lauryn Hill was already one of the most exciting rappers on the planet by the time Doo Wop (That Thing) dropped in 1998. Being “The Talented One” in The Fugees had already set expectations sky-high for her solo project, but with this single, she rocketed past them on her way to dropping the undisputed album of 1998, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

Stiff competition considering 1998 also brought us In The Aeroplane, Over the Sea, Eliott Smith’s XO, and the closest challenger to Hill’s crown, Boyzone’s third opus Where We Belong. If anything, that this was one of the most anticipated records of it’s time makes it more of a miracle. Hill was clearly not leaving anything to chance on her time to shine, everything about this is meticulously crafted to hit, and hit it *does*.

A singalong chorus, an unforgettable beat, even down to Hill’s capital M Messaging in the (sliiiightly outdated) lyrics. Fittingly for a song about valuing yourself, Doo Wop is the sound of an artist fully understanding the responsibility on their shoulders and making the most of their moment.

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