Fugees, Ms. Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean – The Score

Album Info

Artist: Fugees, Ms. Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean

Title: The Score

Year: 1996

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Tracklist

1. Red Intro (1:51)
2. How Many Mics (4:28)
3. Ready or Not (3:46)
4. Zealots (4:20)
5. The Beast - includes Chinese restaurant skit (5:37)
6. Fu-Gee-La (4:20)
7. Family Business (feat. John Forté) (5:43)
8. Killing Me Softly With His Song (4:58)
9. The Score (feat. Diamond D) (5:02)
10. The Mask (4:50)
11. Cowboys (feat. Outsidaz) (5:23)
12. No Woman, No Cry (4:33)
13. Manifest/Outro (5:59)
14. Fu-Gee-La (feat. John Forté) - Refugee Camp Remix (4:22)
15. Fu-Gee-La - Sly & Robbie Mix (5:27)
16. Mista Mista (2:42)
17. Fu-Gee-La (feat. John Forté) - Refugee Camp Global Mix (4:20)

Review

When "The Score" dropped on February 13, 1996, the Fugees—made up of the electric trio Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel—threw a seismic shake into the hip-hop universe. Lauryn once described the vibe as an "audio film," capturing the intricate storytelling aspects akin to classic radio dramas but flipping the script with a hip-hop twist. This album paints a vivid auditory picture that pays homage to its roots while pushing sonic boundaries.

Blending reggae, R&B, soul, and a sprinkle of that classic doo-wop, the Fugees weren't just playing fat beats—they were evolving the game. Tracks like "Fu-Gee-La," and "Killing Me Softly" whip up joints that stick with you, blending addictive hooks with deep storytelling. "Killing Me Softly" hits a different zone, reviving Roberta Flack’s soulful sound into the heart of contemporary hip-hop, led by Lauryn’s unforgettable delivery.

The production swag was helmed by the trio and collab kings like Salaam Remi and Diamond D, twisting recognizable samples into something majestically fresh. "Zealots" flips The Flamingos’ nostalgic tones, and "Ready or Not" borrows from The Delfonics’ old groove, both tracks showing off their innovative sample game. To top it off, Lauryn Hill stood out—her bars on tracks like "Zealots" and the mystic "Manifest" prove she’s spitting living truths with poetic grace. "The Score" wasn't just noise; it was history in the Billboard 200's number one slot, racking up a sexy six-time platinum status and bagging that Grammy for Best Rap Album. - Jayden