Fugee
Fugees () are an American hip-hop group formed in South Orange, New Jersey, in 1990. The trio of Wyclef Jean, Pras Michel, and Lauryn Hill became known for their fusion of hip-hop, reggae, R&B, and funk, socially conscious lyrics, and use of live instrumentation. Their sound stood apart during the gangsta rap-dominated era, establishing them as one of the most significant alternative hip-hop acts. Their name, derived from "refugees", referenced Jean's immigrant background, Michel's Haitian heritage, and recurring themes of resilience.
After signing with Ruffhouse Records, an imprint of Columbia, the group released Blunted on Reality (1994). Though modest at first, the album gained traction through local shows and remixes of "Nappy Heads" and "Vocab" by Salaam Remi, with the former reaching the Billboard Hot 100. Their second album, The Score (1996), brought commercial success, spawning the hit singles "Fu-Gee-La", "Ready or Not", and a reimagined "Killing Me Softly", which topped the charts in more than 20 countries. The album peaked atop the Billboard 200, was certified 7× Platinum by the RIAA and became the second rap album to earn a Grammy Award nomination for Album of the Year. Its success placed the Fugees "at the forefront of pop music", according to The New York Times.
At their commercial peak, the Fugees worked with artists such as Simply Red on "Angel", and with Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest, and John Forté on "Rumble in the Jungle", both of which reached the top five on the UK Singles Chart, as well as Bounty Killer on the rap opera single "Hip-Hopera". During this period, Jean released his solo debut The Carnival (1997), which featured extensive contributions from Hill, Michel, and the Refugee Camp All-Stars. They also staged what was the largest concert in Haitian history. Internal tensions followed, and the trio separated later that year to pursue solo careers. They have reunited periodically for tours and live performances, such as their appearance in Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005).
The group has won two Grammy Awards, a Brit Award for International Group, and received the Medal of Honor from Haitian President René Préval. Frequently named among the greatest rap groups, VH1 ranked them 17th on its 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Artists list. The Score appears on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums, while "Ready or Not" has been recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.
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broken
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the last time
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