Fugees - The Score

One of my favorite things about The Score is that it puts you, the listener, in the actual album. You are standing there with them, hearing the conversation from all directions, they throw in those pop culture references for you to grin and nod at, you're in the movie they're making. It is a movie, it's intentionally the Tommy of hip-hop. 

The first Fugees album was a flop. Strangely enough, Ruffhouse acted like that was their own fault and said here's 135k, you guys go make your own record and we'll see if it goes better before pulling the plug. So, they set up their own studio in uncle Jean's basement and proceeded to make what almost every critic considered the best hip-hop album of the entire 1990s. Me included, this thing is fantastic.

Even less magnanimous critics were temporarily relieved that Dr. Dre didn't have anything to do with it. NWA/Death Row Dr. Dre, not Yo! MTV Raps with Ed Lover and Fab 5 Freddie Doctor Dré. I don't want you to be as confused and concerned as Enya was when Fugees wanted to sample her music. She was totally fine with it once she learned the difference (i'm lying, she sued and they ended up paying her 3 million). Fox and Gimbel weren't so amenable. They were fine with a straight up cover, but not a decomposition. Totally the right call, there. The world would be a whole lot worse without Lauryn Hill's version of Killing Me Softly With His Song. 

Yes, she turned into a bit of a monster in the next decade, but this is early "she's gonna be a superstar" Lauryn, not hire 'em, steal their best riffs, fire 'em power-trip Lauryn. Before you get all cringy at my statement, remember that Lauryn's official rebuttal included calling Robert Glasper a nobody capitalizing on her name for publicity. From what i remember, his accusation was that she hired musicians under the pretense of writing and kept using their material after firing them. I'm not making a judgement on that, i'm simply pointing out that the response doesn't actually address the accusation. Also understand that she could put out a second solo album any day she feels like it. Sure, there might be nasty consequences depending on what horrible contracts are still in effect, but she doesn't need a chaperone to book studio time, or record it herself. Hell, she could freestyle acapella into her cell phone and throw up a new bandcamp page. Paypal might freak about the billions of dollars they'd have to handle if she did, but the only person holding Lauryn Hill back is Lauryn Hill. If Glasper is "entitled to his perception," then obviously there's something to be percepted, and i'm of the "you're both not being completely honest" persuasion. Regardless, this is well before the machine chewed her up and spat her out, which it goes without saying that it certainly did. 

Ok, before we press play, you have to remember it's the 90s. If you're squeamish about poop, stereotypical asian impersonation, or the word retarded, then we might have to administer my patented "am i a moron" test. It's a simple, one question test. Have you ever seriously considered pumping gasoline into a plastic bag, or putting glue in your hair? No? Ok, you're probably mature enough to handle it without freaking out. 

Fugees are fascinating, all three have crazy stories i could ramble about for ages (Wyclef tried to run for president of Haiti in 2000, but couldn't because he hadn't lived in Haiti for the preceding 5 years), but i gotta stop getting so sidetracked. The album's what's important. If this isn't Golden-Age, then i don't know what is. I don't think the praise is merely white, middle-aged hacks being thankful that this one doesn't actually scare them, i think this album is an actual battle-rap masterpiece. This feels real. 

I, of course, am a funny reviewer, but you need a non-joking opinion as well. For a non-snarky, historically motivated perspective about why this album is important right now, read this excellent review by Musa Okwonga: 

https://www.theringer.com/music/2021/2/12/22280168/the-fugees-the-score-diguise-resistance-as-art 

Welcome back, now i have to try to tie it back into my own agenda. I had to buy this thing from Target. If that irony doesn't clench your bowels for you, then we're all doomed. I'm officially tired of novelty color-vomit records by the way, especially when the various colors have different densities and it affects playback. This one's fine, i'm just pointing out that i actually care about the music on them, not the color of the platter or hanging the jackets on my wall. I paid $34 for this, so i assume Wyclef, Lauryn, and Pras get to split upwards of 7 cents amongst their respective entourages. Yet, that's the only option i have, right? Moneywise, i choose to buy what i find valuable. In this case, thank you to Ms. Hill and her two Haitian refugee friends for inviting me to join in the resistance. I'll do what i can (mostly that involves infusing my album reviews with clever word play, alliteration, colorful metaphors, and a willingness to attentively listen to what anyone has to say).