The alternative rap group-The Fugees, formed in New York City in 1992 when when local rapper Lauryn Hill joined joined forces with two Haitian-American MCs : Wyclef 'Clef' Jean and Prakarzel 'Pras' Michel, first cousins who were born in Haiti but grew up in New Jersey. Originally called The Tranzlators, the trio quickly landed a deal with Ruffhouse/Columbia only to find another group had a similar moniker; hence, they renamed themselves The Fugees to evoke Jean and Michel's refugee status.
The Fugees reggae-tinged status debut, 1994's 'Blunted on Reality' , won them a devoted underground , following while their 1996 follow up,'The Score', made them superstars selling more than four million copies and reaching No.1 in the charts. In 1997 Wyclef Jean released the gold-selling solo album, 'The Carnival Featuting the Refugee All Stars', which featured cameos by Michel and Hill. |
