A breath of fresh air in the gangsta-dominated mid-'90s, the Fugees'
breakthrough album, The Score, marked the beginning of a resurgence in
alternative hip-hop. Its left-field, multi-platinum success proved there was a
substantial untapped audience with an appreciation for rap music but little
interest in thug life.The Score's eclecticism, social consciousness, and pop
smarts drew millions of latent hip-hop listeners back into the fold, showing
just how much the music had grown up. It not only catapulted the Fugees into
stardom, but also launched the productive solo careers of Wyclef Jean and Lauryn
Hill, the latter of whom already ranks as one of the top female MCs of all time
based on her work here.Not just a collection of individual talents, the Fugees'
three MCs all share a crackling chemistry and a wide-ranging taste in music.
Their strong fondness for smooth soul and reggae is underscored by the two hit
covers given slight hip-hop makeovers (Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With
His Song" and Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry"). Even when they're not relying on
easily recognizable tunes, their original material is powered by a raft of
indelible hooks, especially the great "Fu-Gee-La"; there are also touches of
blues and gospel, and the recognizable samples range from doo wop to Enya.Their
protest tracks are often biting, yet tempered with pathos and humanity, whether
they're attacking racial profiling among police ("The Beast"), the insecurity
behind violent posturing ("Cowboys"), or the inability of many black people in
the Western Hemisphere to trace their familial roots ("Family Business"). Yeah,
the Chinese restaurant skit is a little dicey, but on the whole, The Score
balances intelligence and accessibility with an easy assurance, and ranks as one
of the most distinctive hip-hop albums of its era. -Rory
III.
IV.
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