Search - Fugees :: Fugees - Greatest Hits

Great rap group...but the 'greatest hits' cd could be better

05/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Fugees brought a breath of fresh air to the rap game in the mid 1990s. As gangster rap, with the likes of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Tupac, dominated mainstream rap, the Fugees offered an alternative to those listeners who did not want every song to be about graphic violence and crime (although some of their songs still deal with similar subject matter). Their lyrics were clever and introspective, and their music was...in general, softer. Their beats were different too, often sampling jazz or soul in the middle of their songs. So, it's no surprise that they stand tall as one of the greatest rap groups of all time, for their talent as well as their inovation. Lauren Hill's voice is absolutely beautiful, and Wyclef actually plays an instrument (the guitar...and quite well), which is rare in rap music.
That being said, this cd falls short of my expectations. The fact is, the Fugees, for the most part, did not write a bad song. Indeed, their cd "The Score" could itself be a greatest hits cd. This cd offers a nice sampling of their music, but leaves out some very good songs (Zealots, for example). And, while the cd is advertised as including some work from the separate members of the Fugees (recorded after the 'breakup'), it merely has Lauren Hill's "The Sweetest Thing," and leaves off any of Wyclef's solo work. If you include Lauren Hill's "The Sweetest Thing," you should certainly have Wyclef's "Gone Till November," his remix of "Stayin' Alive," "Perfect Gentleman," and/or "Street Jeopardy." However, this cd unfortunately does not. Finally, the cd contains a remix version of "Ready or Not," while the original version (whic appears on "The Score")is far superior. The remix on this cd does not showcase Lauren Hill's voice nearly as well, nor does it have a groove or beat that should be on any greatest hits compilation. Because the Fugees only released a few albums, this cd was obviously a record company's attempt to capitalize and make more money. Therefor, the Fugees can hardly be hald responsible for the tracks that made the final cut. That is why I still gave the cd 5 stars. Every song is good...but it has so much more potential. While many fans would have preferred a new album to a greatest hits one, this one should bring in a few new fans."

"The Score" and "The Bootleg Versions"

Nathaniel | NY | 08/19/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If you already own "The Score" and "The Bootleg Versions", there is no reason to even buy this because that's all it is. There are only two songs on her not from those albums: "Nappy Heads"[Remix Radio Edit] and "The Sweetest Thing"[Mahogany Mix] by Lauryn Hill, which is a nice track.



But all in all, this is a nice, short CD to listen to while you're relaxing or in the car. But not good enough to buy if you have the other albums."

Da good old dayz of Hip-Hop

Matt Vasquez | Brooklyn, New York | 04/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is nothing else I can say about this besides this was da Hip-Hop of the good old dayz, when things still sounded great! This album, I think, was just put together by Columbia Records just so peeps would know nothing new is comin further. Maybe there might be, but I seriously doubt there is. I miss the Fugees, I miss them being together on a record, rhyming and having a good time. This CD really brings back the memories of the three of them still being together. The hits "Nappy Heads" "Fu-Gee-La" "Killing Me Softly" not to mention solo efforts like "Gone Till November" from Wyclef "Ghetto Supastar" from Pras featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard and introducing Mya and "The Sweetest Thing" from Lauryn Hill, also featured on the Love Jones soundtrack. The FUGEES, really made a name for themselves in the 90's with "The Score" Winning Grammies for it, being labelled one of the best Hip-Hop/Rap acts of the 90's, like I said befo' I'mma miss 'em, God Bless 'em!"