Hathaway showed an early interest in music and attended The Chicago Academy for the Arts. She later pursued formal musical training at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where she honed her distinctive sound and skills in vocal performance and composition.

Breakthrough and Early Career

While still in college in 1989, Hathaway signed a deal with Virgin Records and released her debut single "Inside the Beat." This marked the beginning of her professional music career. The following year, she released her self-titled debut album, Lalah Hathaway, which entered the Billboard 200 chart at number 191. Although modest in commercial impact, the album spawned several well-received singles, including "Heaven Knows," "Baby Don't Cry," and "It's Somethin'."

In 1991, she followed up with the EP Night & Day, featuring the track "Love Like This," further solidifying her status as a promising voice in contemporary R&B and soul.

Collaborations and Musical Influence

Throughout her career, Hathaway has collaborated with a range of high-profile musicians across various genres. Her collaborations include work with acclaimed artists such as Mary J. Blige, Take 6, and bassist and producer Marcus Miller. With a voice capable of blending jazz, R&B, and soul, Hathaway has built a reputation for musical sophistication and emotional depth.

Grammy Recognition and Recent Work

In 2014, Hathaway’s artistry was honored with a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance for the live rendition of "Something," recorded in collaboration with the jazz-fusion collective Snarky Puppy. The performance was celebrated for its vocal layering and technical mastery.

Continuing to evolve artistically, she released her sixth studio album, Honestly, in 2017. The album showcases a contemporary blend of R&B, electronic, and soul elements, demonstrating her ability to innovate while staying true to the roots of her sound.