Lauryn Hill capped a triumphant evening at the Grammys by taking home the Album of the Year award for her solo debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

"This is crazy, because this is hip-hop music," Hill said.

The Fugees singer and solo artist also thanked her record company and her family. "Stay positive. God is great and he conquers all," she told the audience.

Sheryl Crow, Garbage, Madonna and Shania Twain had also been nominated in the category.

Just prior to winning the award, Hill sang a loose, confident version of her Latin-tinged "To Zion" (RealAudio excerpt), with rock legend Carlos Santana among her backing musicians. Santana, who also appears on the recorded version of the song, played characteristically lyrical lead guitar in the performance, as well as an introduction on classical guitar.