Legacy Recordings

The politics of Haiti spread, like so many Haitian refugees, into the streets of South Orange, New Jersey, where Wyclef Jean, Prakazrel and their neighbor Lauryn Hill formed The Fugees in 1989. Named for the oppressed and homeless masses, the trio pushed beyond ghetto life to face down global gangsta-ism. With conviction, groove and even a gospel choir, The Fugees reworked Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly” into a major contemporary hit. Covering Bob Marley and this updating of Teena Marie’s “Ooh La La La” brought musicality and history to perhaps the first generation of African-Americans who didn’t grow up singing in church.

(N. Jean/S. Michel/L. Hill/A McGrier/T. Marie/S. Remi); Produced by Salaam Remi; Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Prakazrel (Pras) Michel, lead and background vocals; Rec. New York, 1995. From The Score, Ruffhouse/Columbia 67147; Contains a replayed sample from “Ooh La La La” (A. McGrier/Teena Marie). McNella Music/EMI April Music, Inc., on behalf of itself and Midnight Magnet Music (ASCAP); P 1995 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Fu-Gee-La by Fugees