Fugees
New Jersey trio whose album The Score blended hip-hop, soul and reggae into one of the best-selling rap albums ever.
Who are the Fugees?
The Fugees were a trio from New Jersey: Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel. Wyclef and Pras both have Haitian roots, which gave the group its name (from "refugees").
Known for
Their second album The Score (1996), with "Killing Me Softly", "Ready or Not" and "Fu-Gee-La", won the Grammy for Best Rap Album and sold millions worldwide.
Style
Hip-hop mixed with soul, reggae and Caribbean sounds. Lauryn Hill switches effortlessly between rapping and singing, while Wyclef brings the musical experiments.
Impact
The Fugees proved that conscious, musical hip-hop could top the charts. The group was the launch pad for Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean's solo career.
Influences
- Bob Marley
- A Tribe Called Quest
- Roberta Flack
