From The Vault is back this week with a yet another classic. We’re taking you back to the year 1996 when a one of a kind trio released their breakthrough single. We’re talking ‘Fu-Gee-La’ by the exceptional Fugees.
The first single from their magnum-opus and Hip-Hop landmark ‘The Score’, the tune was largely based on an interpolation of blue-eyed-Soul master Teena Marie’s ‘Ooh La La La’ as well as a clever sample of ‘If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don’t Want To Be Right’ by Jazz man Ramsey Lewis. Produced by ever-present Salaam Remi, this is the song that introduced the three lyricists’ impeccable flows as well as Ms. Hill’s smooth vocals to the general public.
Charting at #29 and #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts respectively, the single managed to garner some worldwide recognition placing at #21 in the UK and peaking at the 6th position of the German charts.
Those chart positions might not be as impressive as their next single ‘Killing Me Softly’ (which went on to hit #1 practically everywhere it was released), yet ‘Fu-Gee-La’ remains the dynamic trio’s best selling single in the US.
For its accompanying video, the band turned to director Guy Guillet which resulted in a cinematic visual set in the island of Jamaica where Pras, Wyclef and Lauryn all portray robbers on the run.
The shots showing the artists interacting and just vibing of each other leaves us with a bittersweet taste of nostalgia. For unlike many of today’s act’s, the Refugee Camp’s output has always been of such musical and lyrical substance, yet petty squabbles and personal drama makes a reunion highly unlikely.
Still with ‘The Score’ sounding as fresh today as 17 years ago (we know; time flies right?) we are positive it will remain an inspiration for music lovers of today and tomorrow.
The Fugees, we thank you, we salute you!
yasss
They took me all the way back with this one honey.
They took EVERYONE gurl.
One of my favourite albums of all time.
Lauryn hill is the Queen of Hip hop.
100 percent agree.
I love you for posting this.
this is how you “kill” me softly. that was some nice time. that sh*t was everywhere. everybody liked it. ready or not.
awesome digged. 😀
Lauryn Hill is everything. end of discussion.
Classik s***!!
Ready or not! Here I come, you can’t hide
I’m gonna find you and make you want me…
You can’t run away(Lauryn)
Man music in the 90’s owns today’s crap that passes for it..
17 yrs later and it still bangs!!!
only TGJ writers would talk about chart positions and sales when discussing the Fugees, rather than the amazing music itself.
isn’t this video shoot in Haiti and not Jamaica?