The Fugees are an American music group, most popular during the mid-1990s, whose repitoire includes primarily hip hop, with elements of soul, and Carribean 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 Hatian hertiage; Hill is an African American native of South Orange, New Jersey. Deriving their name from the term "refuge", 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 seperate ways after 1997. Hill and Jean each went on to successful solo recording careers, while Michel focused mainly on soundtrack recordings and film acting.

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 and was one of the first hip hop albums to incorporate reggae in a major way. 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 first and only #1 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". 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.

After 1997, the Fugees all began solo projects: Hill started woek 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, and Michel, with Mya and Ol' Dirty Bastard, recorded the single "Ghetto Superstar" 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 their breakup following The Score.

In September 2004, it was announced that The Fugees have settled their differences and are 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.

Discography

Albums

• 1994: Blunted on Reality
• 1996: The Score

Singles

• 1994: "Nappy Heads" (US #49)
• 1994: "Vocab"
• 1995: "Fu-Gee-La" (US #29)
• 1996: "Killing Me Softly (With His Song)" (US #1)
• 1996: "Ready or Not"

External Links

• Fugees Fansite (http://user.aol.com/Snicka/fugee2.htm)
• Fugees Lyrics (http://www.lyricscafe.com/f/fugees.htm)