Lauryn Hill’s “Ex Factor” single cover

Did you know that Lauryn Hill didn’t originally intend to record “Ex-Factor” because she wrote the song for another artist?

Hill first crafted “Ex-Factor” for Aretha Franklin but she felt so strongly about the lyrics that she decided to keep the song for herself. So, she wrote and produced another track for the Queen of Soul called “A Rose is Still a Rose”, which eventually became the comeback hit that Franklin need in 1998.

“Ex-Factor” was recorded by Hill and included on her classic The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album. The song was also released as a single off the set in 1999 and peaked at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100. By the way, “A Rose is Still a Rose” reach #26 on the same chart. There is no word regarding if Franklin felt slighted by the bait and switch.

Watch the video for Hill’s “Ex-Factor” below:

Now you know!