Lauryn Noelle Hill (born May 26, 1975) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of her time and considered a pioneer of neo soul and rap-singing, she has been credited by The Telegraph with popularizing hip-hop music. In 2015, Billboard named her the greatest female rapper. Hill has been named one of Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers, VH1's 100 Women in Music, and NPR's 50 Great Voices. She is the highest-grossing American female rapper in live music, and has won eight Grammy Awards, the most for any female rapper.