The Fugees Reunite - But is Will Happy About It?

Nearly ten years after the release of their last album, the Fugees surprised an audience at Dave Chappelle's Block Party two years ago with a reunion performance. Plans for a new album were announced soon after, with the group releasing the single "Take it Easy" to less than stellar reviews. Following a performance in Hollywood last week, the reunion is proceeding with full force. If you don't believe it, check out their ad campaign with Verizon Wireless.


While I feel rather strongly that using your hand as a cellular phone is pretty uncool, I am not quite sure how I feel about this reunion. There were times in the ten years that have passed since the release of The Score that I would have been so excited about this reunion. But now - I just don't know.

The Score was a breath of fresh air, not just in hip hop, but in all of music; Lauryn Hill (L Boogie) - with killer flows and an incredible voice; Wyclef - the multitalented MC/vocalist who was a "conscious rapper" long before it was fashionable; and Pras - the calm, cool flow that usually dropped in about the third verse. The album had hit singles ("Killing Me Softly," "Ready or Not") but the real gems never found their way on to the radio - "Zealots," "Cowboys," "The Mask," all displayed the unique sound that set the Fugees apart. I saw them live in the summer of '96 at the first Tibetan Freedom Concert, and they dominated the stage, playing off of one-another.

In 1997, they all tested the solo waters a bit - Wyclef released his solo album The Carnival, with several guest appearances from Hill and Pras. Diverse in sound and influences, it picked up where The Score left off. A year later, Hill cleaned up at the Grammys with her brilliant The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. After that, things started to change. Hill's "Lost Ones" was said to be aimed at Wyclef and Pras, while rumors began to spread about fueding within the group. Wyclef continued his solo career, unable to regain the artistry of his previous work; he also took a failed stab at producing with City High, the Product G&B, and even Steven Seagal. Hill seemed to disappear, emerging briefly in 2002 for an awkward Unplugged performance. Pras attempted both acting and a solo career, but beyond hit single "Ghetto Superstar," he failed to garner attention.

In October 2003, Rolling Stone published the notorious Toure article "The Mystery of Lauryn Hill," where Pras called Wyclef "the cancer of the [Fugees]. . . . You can quote me. He's the reason why it got wrecked to begin with, he's the reason why it's not fixed." Wyclef counteracted with a dis track called "Fake Ass Pras": "The fans want the Fugees back together/ The only thing they don't want is the third member."

The question that lingers is whether lackluster recent solo work and a near decade of fueding will have a negative effect on the material. Until I hear it all for myself, however, I will remain positive like Rolling Stone's Steve Baltin who writes, "at Los Angeles' famed intersection of Hollywood and Vine, the group proved -- at least for one night -- that hell, yeah, the Fugees still matter."