Artist: Fugees · Year: 1996 · Label: Ruffhouse / Columbia · Rolling Stone Rank: 35 / 500
With The Score, the Fugees created a hip-hop album that felt cinematic, political, multilingual, humorous and deeply musical. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras turned the Refugee Camp ethos into a unique fusion of rap, soul, reggae, and Caribbean folk traditions.
It’s a rare hip-hop album that feels like a self-contained world.
Context: Immigration, Identity and Cameraderie
All three members were children of immigrants navigating American identity. This lens shaped their eclecticism. Wyclef’s Haitian roots, Lauryn’s soul and gospel influence, Pras’ deep-toned delivery—each brought distinct colors.
After the raw energy of their debut, they tightened their songwriting and expanded their production palette.
Sound and Songs
“Ready or Not” blends dreamy Enya samples with Lauryn Hill’s haunting vocals and razor-sharp verses. “Fu-Gee-La” is a bouncing anthem with Caribbean inflections. “Killing Me Softly” became Lauryn’s signature, transforming Roberta Flack’s ballad into hip-hop gospel.
The skits and interludes are integral—radio broadcasts, Refugee Camp humor, sonic world-building.
Wyclef’s production mixes live instruments with dusty samples; Lauryn’s presence elevates every track she touches.
Impact and Legacy
The Score became a global phenomenon and cemented Lauryn Hill as one of her generation’s most important voices. Its blend of cultures shaped future artists—Damian Marley, The Roots, Drake’s Caribbean-infused work, and modern global hip-hop movements.
It remains a model of how hip-hop can be serious, playful, political and melodic at once.
How to Listen
Absorb the textures: the warmth of the samples, the interplay between voices, the patois, the humor. Follow Lauryn Hill’s phrasing—it’s immaculate every time.
For SlaveToMusic: this is essential for understanding 1990s cross-genre hip-hop fusion.