Hill Carries Her Hip-Hop Into Larger World

Lauryn Hill is sure making pop stardom look easy.

First, the 20-something singer-rapper gave us a superb solo album (last year’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”) that sold umpteen million copies and won enough Grammys to fill a good-sized trophy case.

Then she had her first solo tour ever--a two-month spring trek that focused on 3,000- to 6,000-seat venues--that was quite possibly the most accomplished tour ever by a hip-hop artist.

Now, Hill has launched a summer tour, this one focusing on 10,000- to 15,000-seat arenas, a risky move because a performer who succeeds in the intimacy of a club or theater can easily be humbled by the vastness of an arena.

But Hill made the transition seem effortless before an estimated 9,000 fans Thursday at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

Following a lively, if mechanical, half-hour set by rapper Busta Rhymes, Hill filled the arena with the same uplifting, even electrifying spirit that she brought to smaller sites.

Even though she was backed by more than a dozen musicians and singers, the diminutive performer never seemed dwarfed by the large cast or the huge stage. Her impact is multidimensional.

In the lyrics and comments between songs, Hill transmits a strong, positive message about self-esteem and spiritual values. The musical sensibilities are equally joyous as she and the band mix hip-hop flavor and R&B; tradition. Apart from the music, she’s an engaging performer who always seems in motion, circling the stage with the punctuation and grace of a confident dancer.

The only problem in the 90-minute show was the absence of an encore, a move that left the close a bit flat. For the most part, however, Hill confirmed that she is not only at the forefront of hip-hop but among the most valuable figures in all of pop.