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Fugees

The Fugees, a critically acclaimed hip-hop trio hailing from South Orange, New Jersey, skyrocketed to prominence in the mid-1990s with their groundbreaking music, which adeptly blended elements of hip-hop, soul, and Caribbean rhythms. The group consisted of rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel. Their name, derived from "refugees," was a nod to Wyclef and Pras's Haitian heritage and the broader themes of displacement and struggle that often surfaced in their lyrics.

The group's gritty and introspective debut album, "Blunted on Reality" (1994), laid the groundwork for their explosive success, but it was their monumental second album, "The Score" (1996), that secured their place in music history. The multi-platinum project, which included hits like "Ready or Not" and a transformative cover of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song," displayed their unique ability to infuse social commentary with musical innovation. Despite dissolving as a group in 1997, following the release of the remix album "Bootleg Versions," the Fugees briefly reunited in 2005 to release the single "Take It Easy" and anointed their legacy with various expanded and remixed versions of their classic tracks. Their influence extends well beyond their active years, leaving a lasting impact on the evolution of hip-hop and contemporary music.

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