Fugees

Fugees were an American hip hop trio formed in South Orange, New Jersey, in the early 1990s, consisting of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel. Blending rap with soul, reggae, and Caribbean rhythms, the group carved out a distinctive sound that set them apart from much of the hip hop landscape of the era. Their name, short for «refugees», nodded to Wyclef and Pras's Haitian roots and the group's broader outlook on displacement and cultural identity.

The Fugees' commercial and critical breakthrough came with their second album, The Score (1996), which became one of the defining hip hop records of the 1990s. Songs like «Killing Me Softly With His Song» and «Ready or Not» showcased Hill's commanding vocal presence alongside the group's genre-blurring production, while «Fu-Gee-La» and «How Many Mics» highlighted their sharp lyricism and chemistry as a trio.

Although the Fugees disbanded not long after their peak, each member went on to significant solo success, most notably Lauryn Hill with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean's prolific solo and production career. The group has reunited sporadically over the years for performances, and The Score remains a touchstone for socially conscious, musically eclectic hip hop.