Fugees
The Fugees ( FOO-jeez) are an American hip-hop group formed in South Orange, New Jersey, in 1990. The trio of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel became known for their fusion of hip-hop and R&B with elements of reggae, soul and other musical styles across the African diaspora. Derived from "refugees", their name references Jean's immigrant background, his and Michel's Haitian heritage, and recurring themes of resilience. The group's socially conscious lyrics, eclectic sound, and use of live instrumentation stood apart during the gangsta rap-dominated era, establishing them as one of the most significant acts in alternative hip-hop.
Beginning their careers under the name Tranzlator Crew, the group signed with Ruffhouse Records, an imprint of Columbia. After working with Kool & the Gang's Ronald "Khalis" Bell, they adopted the name Fugees and released their debut album Blunted on Reality (1994). The album featured the singles "Nappy Heads" and "Vocab", with the former entering the Billboard Hot 100.
Their second album, The Score (1996), spawned the hit singles "Fu-Gee-La", "Killing Me Softly", and "Ready or Not". The New York Times described the Fugees as being "at the forefront of pop music" that same year. The Score peaked atop the Billboard 200 and was later certified 7× Platinum by the RIAA. It became the second rap album to receive a Grammy Award nomination for Album of the Year, and for a time held the title of the best-selling hip-hop album of all time.
Fugees collaborated with artists such as Simply Red on "Angel" and 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. They also formed the Refugee Camp All-Stars collective and subsequently staged the largest concert in Haitian history. The group disbanded shortly afterwards to pursue solo careers, with Jean's The Carnival (1997) featuring extensive contributions from all three members. They have periodically reunited for live performances, including Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005).
Together they have received two Grammy Awards and a Brit Award, along with the Medal of Honor from Haitian President René Préval. Their music has appeared on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums and Songs lists, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. Ranked among the greatest rap groups by publications such as Billboard and MTV, VH1 placed Fugees alongside Lauryn Hill at number 17 on its list of the 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Artists.
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