Inflated egos and a desire to prove their impeccable solo talents (along with scraps within the group) resulted in the demised of one of the most lauded trios ever. What is left is a legacy which we can only hope will be resurrected someday - although with Lauryn (or Ms. Hill as she now prefers to be called) currently battling serious personal demons, the future doesn't look good (I hope that genius brings out another solo album - surely can't be as good as "The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill" though...can it?!). Success, fame and power tore them apart and this album is the only real thing we have left to remember them by.

Adopting the alias "Refugee Camp," the Fugees brought something fresh to the scene in the mid-90's. Their fusion of rap and pop was exciting and very ground-breaking. It sounds not so today, but eight years ago it definitely was - before everyone was ripping it off. The album opens with "Red Intro," followed swiftly by the classic opener "How Many Mics." Superb rapping here from Wyclef and Pras inparticular, whilst Lauryn's lyrics bring something new to the song everytime you listen to it. "Ready Or Not" is the now classic massive UK No.1 that rounded off a year of phenomenal success in 1996. Sampling Enya's haunting "Boadicea," the song becomes a profoundly eerie and dramatic Hip-Hop classic. Mario Winans recently sampled it, but his version pales in comparison to the version the Fugees provide here. "Zealots" has a rather corny chant that plays in the background throughout the song (that, for some unknown reason, reminds me of The Shawshank Redemption!), but the lyrics and rapping arrangement makes up for this and results in another great track.

"The Beast" opens with a dragging and throbbing beat that is tired and exhausted. The deep and suffocating atmosphere of the urban underground can be felt completely here and the lyrics are once more superbly arranged and performed. "Fu-gee-la" brings something to the album that has been missing up until this point - a catchy vocal arrangement. With a heavy beat and brilliant rapping, the song effortlessly switches between Wyclef's serious lyrics to Lauryn's fun-loving sung-chorus in that awesome voice of hers. "Family Business" has a distinctive and hidden beat that is incredibly deep and ambiguous, whilst Lauryn's chant of "Ha-ha, ha-ha" in the background is spine-tingling. A great song that is unfortunately forgotten as soon as the next song plays - truly one of the greatest cover versions of all time...

Yes, it's the multi-million selling mammoth No.1 "Killing Me Softly." Lauryn Hill completely owns this track with her tear-inducing voice that caught the ears of millions worldwide. This was the song that made the Fugees international superstars, and Lauryn brings something to the song that Roberta Flack never could originally. "The Score" is held together by a thrilling and haunting beat that breaks down each verse and enhances the choruses, whilst samples from each of the previous songs play to remind you of what you've just heard. "The Mask" offers a metaphorical observation on the identity of people and warns the listener to be aware the false motifs of others, "Yeah everybody wears the mask but how long will it last?" "Cowboys" has a catchy beat with some really truthful lyrics about the dangers of gun crime. A serious topic is perfectly contrasted with Wyclef's hilarious cowboy chant "Oh-lee-i!"

The third single to be taken from the album was "No Woman No Cry," a fantastic cover of the Bob Marley track. The guitar strumming is totally different to anything else on offer on the album. "Manifest/Outro" is the album's final proper track, and the music is hardly present at all. We hear Wyclef teaching us a lesson about his experiences with drugs and all the rest of it, as the piano break from the Intro of the album starts to play. Then Wyclef thanks everyone for working on the album as clapping in the background plays. Kinda funny! The album also has two remixes of "Fu-gee-la" which I'm not really fond of, but apart from that, this is a near-flawless album!

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

At present all is not well in the world of the ex-members of the Fugees. After the phenomenal critical acclaim of her debut solo album and sales surpassing 13 million, Lauryn Hill's personal life has been plagued with many difficulties. Since she met that preacher dude Anthony, I pray that she'll be okay and come out of it, get her head screwed on and bring out another album. I know she's working on one, but she's taking her time - fine by me. Wyclef and Pras parted on bad terms and still don't talk to each other. I think it's a great shame that one of the world's most notorious and talented Hip-Hop acts ever had to end this way. The music on this album is stellar, making it an essential and instant classic - buy a piece of history now.


Oh Doctor, the irony!! (No Stars)   April 29, 2001
10 out of 36 found this review helpful

I believe this country has a problem with what it considers racism to be, and this album shows that the musical industry is no exception. The Lead-singing lady of this band made the comment that she doesn't want white people to buy her records, going so far as saying that she would rather have her children starve than have their food bought with the dirty money of the white people of this country. Of course no one made the attempt of calling her racist, because that's the way this country's media has been controlled lately.

Musically, the album is not that bad. I'm going off what I heard on the radio a few years back. But there are tons of albums out there that aren't "bad." It's what you say in your music, what you do with it, the message you try to convey that makes the album. And if this woman is trying to show that color can still segregate us, does the album deserve more than one star? Too bad not all music can be for everyone...


The Score is an incredible album!   January 15, 2002
Randy K (New York, NY United States)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

The Score not only revolutionized rap, but also is one of the most amazing and complete albums ever made. Wyclef, Lauryn Hill, and Pras all matured as rap artists and musicians in this album, which pushes the envelope in lyrics, composition, and subtle undertones. The first rap album to cross over into the mainstream, The Score starts strong and never fades. While most people tend to focus on the pop hits (remakes of Roberta Flack's 'Killing Me Softly' and Bob Marley's 'No Woman, No Cry'), this is only the tip of the iceberg. Songs like 'How Many Mics' and 'Zealots' exhibit a surprising combination of lyrical mastery, complex beats, and unbelievable timing. With each track another masterpiece, this album shows just how far The Fugees have come from their earlier albums, and just how far each has fallen since the breakup of the group. Not since The Beatles have I seen the type of synergy exhibited by The Fugees. As repeat listenings continue to yield new levels to the songs, I highly recommend purchasing this album.


They SCORED with this album!!!   April 14, 2004
Wayne Maye (Petersburg,VA)
9 out of 12 found this review helpful

In 1996, hip hop was a different place, although a few years from becoming the wack music it is now. Pac and Biggie were still alive, Jay-Z was getting started, Nas reigned supreme, and you had the Fugees, a group who were SO momumental together that their presence was always something to behold. This album, their second, is BRILLIANT. They released hit songs in 96 from this album, and they did what most other artists CAN'T do: they TOPPED their first album, and they did it with supreme excellence. Here's the review:

Album Highlights: Too many to mention here, but there is NO filler.

Production: Thumbs up, Wyclef earned his bones with the beats, and so did Pras, Lauryn, and Diamond D.

Lyrics and Subject Matter: Thumbs Up.

Originality: Thumbs up, almost like A Tribe Called Quest in a way.

The Last Word: In today's hip hop, we could certainly use a group like The Fugees. But, I'm afraid it won't happen again, but you never know(Mase is returning)!!! But with this album, The Fugees collectively were on top of their game, as they really brought out the best in each other. Classic album??? Definitely. Another strong recommendation for this album. You will enjoy this.


How can you not like this CD?   July 26, 2000
The Big RG (hackettstown, nj)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I don't know about everyone else, but when I throw on this album the beats automatically make me bounce. The mix of rap, raggae, r&b, and Lauryn Hill's sweet vocals just paralyzes you. The slow, methodical rhythm of the record just captures your mind. From the grooves of "Ready or Not" to the fast-paced hip-hop of "Fu-Gee La" to the raggae remake of Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" to the most famous "Killing Me Softly" ballad, the CD doesn't grow dull or allow you to drift away. Unlike most groups, the Fugees mix up their styles and sounds in order to keep you rapt and attentive. This album is great.