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Fugees Information
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'The Fugees' are an American music group, popular during the mid-1990s, whose repertoire includes primarily hip hop, with elements of soul, and Caribbean music (particularly reggae). The members of the group are leader/rapper/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel. Both Jean and Michel are of Haitian heritage; Hill is an African American native of South Orange, New Jersey. Deriving their name from the term "refugee", the group is noted for the integration of soul and reggae into their work, and recorded two albums-one of which, The Score, was a multi-platinum and Grammy-winning success-before going their separate ways after 1997. Hill and Jean each went on to successful solo recording careers, while Michel focused mainly on soundtrack recordings and acting.
History
The trio released their first LP, Blunted on Reality, after a long period of performing, but the album failed to live up the expectations of fans who attended their concerts. Despite the relative failure of their first album, The Score became one of the biggest hits of 1996 . The Fugees were known for their unusual choice of covers and sampling sources on both albums; The Score, for example, included covers of "No Woman No Cry" (Bob Marley & the Wailers) and "Killing Me Softly (With His Song)" (Roberta Flack), which was their biggest pop hit. The album also included a re-interpretation of The Delfonics' "Ready or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)" in their hit single "Ready or Not" which used a sample from Boadicea by Enya without her permission. This prompted a lawsuit resulting in a settlement where Enya was given credit and royalties for her sample. The Fugees won two 1997 Grammy Awards: The Score won for Best Rap Album, and "Killing Me Softly With His Song" won for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.The group also recorded a cover of the rock band Queen's hit Bohemian Rhapsody,although it garnered much criticism.
After 1997, the Fugees all began solo projects. Hill started work on her critically acclaimed The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Jean began producing for a number of artists (including Destiny's Child and Carlos Santana) and recorded his debut album The Carnival. Michel, with Mya and Ol' Dirty Bastard, recorded the single "Ghetto Supastar" for the soundtrack to the Warren Beatty/Halle Berry film Bulworth. After each member found success in other ventures, the Fugees failed to reform. Though the Fugees remain tight-lipped about the exact reasons, most fans believe that a serious personality conflict between Hill and Jean contributed to the breakup following The Score.
Reunion
In September 2004, it was announced that The Fugees had settled their differences and were currently working on a new album. They appeared onstage together at an exclusive block party in New York City that month, hosted by Dave Chappelle. On June 28, 2005, they opened the BET awards with a surprise performance featuring several of their hit songs. They are now planning to do another album together and have released the first single off that album, "Take It Easy." The album has a December 27th release date.
Discography
Albums
* 1994: Blunted on Reality (WW Sales 2 million)
* 1996: The Score (WW Sales: 18 million)
* 1996: The Score - Bootleg Versions
* 2003: Fugees - Greatest Hits
Singles
| 'Year' | 'Title' | 'Chart positions' | 'Album' | | US Hot 100 | US R&B/Hip-Hop | UK Singles Chart | | 1994 | "Boof Baf" | - | - | - | Blunted on Reality | | 1994 | "Nappy Heads" | #49 | - | - | Blunted on Reality | | 1994 | "Vocab" | - | - | - | Blunted on Reality | | 1995 | "Fu-Gee-La" | #29 | - | #21 | The Score | | 1996 | "Killing Me Softly With His Song" | #2 | - | #1 | The Score | | 1996 | "Ready or Not" | - | - | #1 | The Score | | 1996 | "No Woman, No Cry" (with Steven Marley) | - | - | #2 | The Score | | 1997 | "Rumble in the Jungle" (feat. A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes & John Forté) | - | - | #3 | When We Were Kings Original Soundtrack | | 2005 | "Take It Easy" | - | #40 | - | TBA |
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