Fugee
The 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 was known for their fusion of hip hop, reggae, R&B, and funk; their socially conscious lyrics; and use of live instrumentation during their performances. Their sound stood apart during the gangsta rap-dominated era, as they became one of the most significant alternative hip hop acts. Their name, derived from "refugees", referenced Jean's immigrant background, Michel's Haitian heritage, and themes of resilience in their music, which occasionally incorporated Haitian Creole.
After signing with Ruffhouse Records, an imprint of Columbia Records, in 1993, the Fugees released their debut album Blunted on Reality (1994). Initially met with modest sales, it gained traction as they built a reputation in local clubs and talent shows. Producer Salaam Remi remixed their songs "Nappy Heads" and "Vocab", with the former charting on the Billboard Hot 100, helping them gain underground recognition. Their second album, The Score (1996), was a massive commercial success, spawning the hit singles "Fu-Gee-La", "Ready or Not", and their reimagined version of "Killing Me Softly", which topped the charts in over 20 countries worldwide. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard 200, was certified 7× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards, making it only the second rap album to receive the honor. According to The New York Times, its success placed the Fugees "at the forefront of pop music".
At their peak, the Fugees collaborated with various artists, appearing on Simply Red's "Angel", and releasing "Rumble in the Jungle", which featured Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest and John Forté, both of which reached the top five on the UK Singles Chart. They also collaborated with Bounty Killer on the rap opera single "Hip-Hopera". In 1997, they performed what was the largest staged concert in Haitian history, becoming one of the country's most significant musical events. However, internal conflicts led to their disbandment later that year, with each member pursuing solo careers. They have reunited periodically, including for tours and live performances, such as their appearance in Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005).
The Fugees have won two Grammy Awards, a Brit Award for International Group, and the Medal of Honor from Haitian President René Préval. They are frequently ranked among the greatest rap groups, with Billboard stating that they "contributed to the diversification of Black identity in popular culture through potent rhymes that were equal parts conscious and commercially relevant". VH1 named them among the 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Artists (2003). The Score was included in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums, while "Ready or Not" was recognized as one of the Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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