Jerry ZurekAfter almost a decade of silence, the Fugees have spoken once again. The Fugees, who include Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel, have had more hits than one. Now, with another hit on the way, the trio and their groups label, Sony Records, has set a date in late December for their new untitled album.
Even though being reunited more than a handful of times in the last year, no new material has been produced since it’s 1996 album “The Score,” which sold 5.7 million copies. “The Score” featured ‘Ready or Not,’ ‘Fu-Gee-La,’ ‘Killing me Softly,’ and ‘No Women No Cry.’
The groups first new single in almost 10 years, “Take it Easy,” debuted on urban radio only a few weeks ago. The Fugees have been recording for about two months. They first reunited last year after making a surprise appearance at Dave Chappelle’s block party in Brooklyn. The show was supposed to only be performed by Lauryn Hill until Wyclef and Pras joined her on stage. In June, the trio opened the Fifth Annual BET Awards, and have been growing closer ever since.
On ‘Take it Easy,’ the trio exchange verses, with Hill showing a speedy spoken-word flow, while Clef and Pras use a more traditional delivery. A semi-preview into the song, “I got moxie, I’m so damn cocky/Industry tried to block me like cops and paparazzi,” Hill raps. Later in the song she says, “We ’bout to reconcile.”
After the Fugee’s went their separate ways about nine years ago, Pras Michel found his fame with Ghetto Superstar, Lauryn Hill won five grammy’s for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Clef released five solo albums.
In an interview with Rolling Stone Wyclef said, “You’ve got three individuals that have grown musically.” He continues, “But we’re always on the same page that’s the magic of the Fugees.”
Pras and Hill had originally formed a group together while attending the same high school in New Jersey and Pras’ cousin Clef eventually joined in. Originally known as the Tranziator Crew, the trio changed their name to Fugees (short for Refugees, in reference to their Caribbean roots.)
The band mixes styles of hip-hop, rap, reggae, Caribbean and R&B to create their style of music. If you like the Fugees’ mixture of styles then you should keep a look out for the upcoming album coming out in late December.
The Fugees had left fans hanging years ago. Now, “Everybody that’s been holding their breath should start letting their breaths go,” Wyclef said.
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Posted to the web by Brandon Edwards
