The Score

Intelligent, a little angry, and with effortless cool. Perfection. “So while you fuming, I’m consuming mango juice under Polaris You’re just embarrassed 'cause it's your last tango in Paris And even after all my logic and my theory I add a ‘motherfucker’ so you ignant niggas hear me” Mic drop

The only disappointment it shame here is that the Fugees didn’t stay together. Wow, what could have been. Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was great, Carnival was very good… but the Score is next level. Unmatchable. Six stars if I could. The rhymes, the references, I could go on and on.

This album is an absolute phenomenon, a supernova for the group. While I do like some of their solo material that came afterwards, I feel they were stronger together. In fact, when I think about it, I personally tend to prefer hip hop groups like this for the dynamics it provides. I feel like this album is largely a result of their creating a home studio and being given complete artistic control. A case where label trust paid off in dividends. I love the atmosphere they captured and cinematic flow throughout. Always been more of a fan of the east coast sound in general. The Fugees are particularly skilled at layering (often brief) overdubs in just the right places to build a very complex sound that isn't overly dense so as to weigh it down. Lauryn Hill is definitely my favorite female rapper and a big part of what makes this album stand out. Another thing that sets this album apart are the covers/adaptations they incorporated and while some may think that may detract from it as a pure hip hop album in some way, I think it's stronger for it musically. In fact, I think this album's greatest strength may be it's depth and range of emotions.

This was the first album that was a real struggle for me. Thankfully, there are a few well known tracks on here such as Fu-Gee La and Killing me Softly, but without those I think I'd have turned it off halfway through. I feel like I'd appreciate this more if I could be arsed to listen more closely to lyrics, or maybe if I was in more urban surroundings, but this definitely does not suit autumnal small middle class English town vibes. When I put in the effort to listen to lyrics, I did appreciate them, but I never do pay too much mind to lyrics in general. This is hard to rate as I did enjoy the songs I knew but everything outside of those few songs were a proper struggle.

I should say i liked this for cred but i didn't, it bored the tits off me

Hip-hop is a lot easier to listen to now that each rap album doesn't come with 15 minutes of bizarre skits interspersed throughout the songs. The Chinese restaurant skit brings this album to a full stop. Setting that aside, this is a great album. Filled with classics. The music is diverse and interesting throughout, and each member of the group brings a lot of lyrical strength to the album, though Lauren Hill is the clear leader of the group. This album is dense. Killing Me Softly doesn't come until halfway through the album, as if it was an afterthought among all the other great songs on the album. It's good straight through to the last song 5/5

The Platonic Form of Hip Hop. Lauryn Hill is hands down what elevates this album to a firm 5.

I didn't listen. But a 1 for being a racist moron.

The music on this album is present, but not really a feature. The music takes a back seat which allows our focus to be on the main thing. And the main thing are the words, the verses, the social exposition. Mista Mista is a stark commentary on a person in need of help who is denigrated when asking for assistance. The Beast is another strong account of a system rigged against black Americans. I enjoy Ready Or Not and Zealots, where the sample is spot on. The famous covers on the album, Killing Me Softly With His Song and No Woman No Cry, are well done. I like hearing this album, and I feel like I should like it more. But when it comes down to it, I’m not putting it in my library, and that’s the line I draw between 3 and 4 stars. I’m not quite sure why. I don’t have a very good explanation, which bothers me. My only thought is that there isn’t much variety to the sound amongst the songs. They all kind of blend together aesthetically from a high level. That’s all I got.

I've heard about this album for a while, but this is my virgin listen. Nice grooves but a lot of the tempo and vibe felt the same, except for the covers. Not bad, but didn't do a lot for me.

"And even after all my logic and my theory I add a 'motherfucker' so you ignant niggas hear me"

This is the exact definition of the style of hip hop that I love. Laid back, sonically interesting, writing that's both intelligent and funny, expertly crafted.

Incredible album. Like a great piece of classical music, this album was thematic, self-referential, and incorporated previous melodies and lyrics to create a sense that this album is meant to be listed to as a whole, as a piece of music rather than a collection of songs. The flows on this album are some of the best I've ever heard. Lauryn Hill is the clear standout, though Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel are also incredible. It's no wonder why this group is one of the most influential in hip hop.

Hip hop is not my thing, and maybe this was different for its time, but I absolutely hated this. Not only was the start weird, confusing, couldn't understand what people were saying with just a bunch of talking over each other, but each track felt identical. Not just to every other track, but they all felt like a very bland, boring, "generic" hip hop sounds hundreds of other artists do this exact same way. Maybe they kicked it off, but it just sounds like a shitty SoundCloud rapper's recording from their parents basement

Chill stuff, classic hip hop, listened while making cat art

Solid, enjoyed more than I thought I would. Bit samey in places.

Pretty unique record this. Manages to be soulful and still have that nineties street feel. I'm a fan of the melodic flows the group use, definitely adds extra colour to tracks. Ms Hill is probably the stand out member. She brings a confident feminine swagger and perspective that I don't think you see often in any album, let alone a hip hop one. There's a world music feel to it too, which definitely add to the NY/big city vibe. Don't think that this makes it into five territory, but it's a top drawer album.

Jeez, what an album. And the timing is perfect. The Fugees are on everyone's radar once again after announcing their return, touring 'The Score' to mark its 25th anniversary. I just watched some clips of them playing Global Citizen Live. They tore the place up! What a performance. Lauryn Hill remains a force of nature. I get goosebumps every time I hear her rap on 'Ready or Not'. Check out her live version of the song at Atlantic City Limits if you want goosebumps of your own. A five star review, right? The only thing that brings 'The Score' down is the skits. Do any hip hop skits really stand the test of time? Maybe a few of Eminem's; Wu-Tang Clan had some funny stuff on their albums. Busta Rhymes' 'Only One Year Left' was prescient and remains as disturbing as when it was released via 'Extinction Level Event' in '98. But across a whole album? Lauryn Hill's 'Mis-education...' is probably the only record where all the skits remain timeless; but that's due to the unwavering sentiment and the connection to the narrative as a whole. You can't say the same for 'The Score' and the skits definitely knock it down a tad from being one of the all-time great albums. Still, what an album. Maybe it's the nostalgia of seeming them playing it together again after 2 and a half decades, but each track has just improved and aged like well-rhymed moonshine. The hits remain classic: 'Fu-gee-La' to 'Ready or Not' and 'Killing Me Softly', of course. ONE TIME. But even the fringe songs bring new life to them. 'The Beast' has manifested from feeling like a slightly sinister and unnerving skit to something hugely topical and ahead of its time. I now appreciate the mastery of using 'Dove' by Cymande for the sample in the song 'The Score' whereas I wouldn't have known the reference back in the day. Even the cover of 'No Woman, No Cry' I can now appreciate, despite all the slightly hammy interjections and lyric changes from Wyclef Jean. Above all, I just love Lauryn Hill. So much talent. I hope 'Mis-education...' made it onto the 1001 list, but if not I can at least get my fix and settle for her brilliance on 'The Score'. TWO TIME. Hey. You can't listen to 'The Score' too many times, let's be honest.

The skits aren't de trop, but the raps can be hard work, and the aesthetic is B-team Wu-Tang.

I struggled through

I actually loved this, didn't think I would. I never would have listened to hip hop on my own! I think I'll be a lot more open to it now. The mask and their cover of no woman no cry are added to my rotation now.

yeah this was pretty great. i'm not a big rap guy but there were several songs on here i already knew before this. the quality of the rapping and the beats/production were great. the skits were kind of corny - we don't have to talk about the restaurant one... but otherwise OK. overall, I really enjoyed my time with this album!

Absolutely incredible. I wouldn't even say there's a single average song on here, let alone a bad one. Has the same characteristic as most hip hop albums where the samples pretty much remain static throughout each song which is a mixed bag for me (I can find it really repetitive), but here I don't mind it. Swapping between vocals, as well as just playing with a bunch of different genres from song to song keeps everything dynamic, but it never loses cohesiveness. The whole thing is over an hour and I didn't even realize it. Can't really think of a negative thing to say about it. It's easily one of the best albums I've ever heard. Fav Songs Ready or Not Fu-Gee-La Family Business Killing Me Softly With His Song The Score Cowboys No Woman, No Cry Not part of the original album but Mista Mista is also really great

Ooo la la la! Classic hip hop album. What's not to love in it? Plus, someone like me, who loves to keep the *score*, is bound give this one a five, isn't he? Inventive rap flows, Lauryn Hill's mellifluous voice, an all-around pristine production, interesting covers, great originals... This record is killing me softly with its songs every time I play it. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 848 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory: 83 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 38 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 32

Honest and raw, this album oozes truth.

How have I never listened to this album all the way through. Beats, production, samples, singing, rap, features were truly perfect. They perfected their sound

“The Score” by Fugees (1996) First time listen. Nice grooves, interesting reggae feel, well recorded and mixed. Sampling is not overdone (but really, Enya’s “Boadicea” on “Ready or Not”?). It’s hip hop I could listen to on a long drive. Tasteful reverb. Very good sound. But what stands out on this album is Lauryn Hill’s voice—powerful, throaty, and resonant. I could listen to a lot more of that. Hill’s “Killing Me Softly” is better than Roberta Flack’s. It’s that good. I bought it. Lyrics are full of references that require the listener to pay attention and maybe do some research, which is appealing, but they often lack significance. Or sometimes I wonder if the artists are even aware of the fact that, for instance, the skillfully rapid “la-las” on the chorus of “Fu-Gee-La” came straight off the intro to Billy Stewart’s cover of “Summertime”(1966). But again, to what end? It’s cool, but why? It’s rather like Mozart to a guy who is more into Mahler. I could do with less of the standard 1990s rap lyric boastfulness, but maybe it (or I) will develop. This is very good album. In the history of American recorded music, Fugees are here to stay. I love this country. 4/5

This was EVERYWHERE in 1996, so much that it sounds like wallpaper to me today. One Time. Essentially, Lauryn Hill and a pair of clowns, with variation in quality accordingly. Scrapes 3* from a fond memory of a bus ride along Ladbroke Grove with a gang of local schoolchildren singing "Killing Me Softly" perfectly, harmonies and all. Two Times.

J'avais bien évidemment des a priori au sujet de Lauryn Hill avant de lancer cet album. La presse s'en donne généralement à cœur joie pour critiquer son comportement capricieux. Je lançai toutefois la lecture du projet en question. Mais alors que les pistes défilaient, toujours pas la moindre trace de Lauryn. "Patientez encore un instant, Lauryn Hill devrait arriver d'une minute à l'autre." annonçait régulièrement une voix. Je patientai donc encore un peu. Alors que je vis sur mon écran que l'avant-dernière piste venait de commencer et que la star n'avait toujours pas prononcé le moindre mot, je décidai d'abandonner l'écoute, très énervé et remonté.

Attention Robert, après une période d'eldorado du générateur, voila que tu te remets a nous proposer une longue serie d'albums de qualité insuffisante pour obtenir un 4/5. Nous ne céderons pas à la panique, mais restons néammoins sur nos gardes.

Another album I thought that maybe I would enjoy. And yet, I really, really, didn’t. Seems like the beats were all similar except the covers and Killing Me Softly. The later ALMOST makes me raise this to a 2, but the number of times I wanted to switch to anything else was just too much for me.

Wow, I absolutely hated this one. There are some hip-hop albums on this list that make me think "hm, maybe I don't necessarily dislike hip-hop after all". And then there are ones like this one that just suck so much.

Nooooo

Absolute claptrap

I really dislike this album and have nothing positive to say. sorry

Garbo

Hate everything about it.

Dont like 90s rap. This album sucks

Not a fan

Top top top. Deservedly known as one of the best in hip-hop. Wyclef Jean, Pras Michel, and (especially) Lauryn Hill created quite the art here. I would argue it's the latter's best work too. Manifest/Outro is my favourite here. Incredible. Bought on CD recently too! P.s., did you know Fugees is a shortening of Refugees? I certainly didn't.

You've already heard it before, you already love it.

I love this. Lauryn Hill is the GOAT

Who can argue with the combination of brilliant production, deft lyricism and Lauryn Hill. Endless repeatability, Ready Or Not one of my fav hip hop songs ever (and sample for one of the best D&B songs ever). It's gotta be 5

One of the best albums to exist.

yeah this ruled

loved it!! such a fun sound, will definitely be listening again

Great album

There’s a lot that’s great here. But Lauryn Hill’s voice is truly sublime. She is such a unique talent, that it’s a shame she didn’t do more. She could sing anything and make it better. It’s hard not to be greedy for a thicker catalog. It’s all good, but goddamn, Lauryn Hill.

First listen. Been on the list for quite a while, and I have of course listened to quite a few of the songs before. Impressed by how good the rest of the songs was as well!

Banger from cover to cover. One of my favorites

Big inspiration for tank and the bangs. IN the best of ways.

I think I liked this better than the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill !?!! This is such a good album

Absolute bangers all around. Little to no misses

Otro éxito monumental y merecido. A lomos de versiones como Ready or not o Killing me sofly , e incluso No woman no cry, marcaron la pauta de finales de siglo además de servir de trampolín hacia el fugaz estrellato a Laurynn Hill. Un disco tan esencial como disfrutable

Such a cool album. Killing Me Softly With His Song is simply incredible. But it's far from all this album has to offer. Ready or Not, Zealots, The Score, and Cowboy are also all pretty great. These lyrics are clever, deft, and fully loaded with samples and nods to other songs. All three rappers are great on this, and the backing tracks feel effortless. One of the best of its era.

Liebe dieses Album, Lauryn hill und alles Große Nostalgie

This is incredible. The Songs, the flows, and the skits are all amazing in their own right. Lauryn Hill is the obvious Superstar, but damn I did not know Wyclef and Pras had it like that!

it’s a five

Pre-listening thoughts: just now getting around to this I am slacking 😔 we’ve had a lot of mid recently reallyyy hoping this will be good Post/during listening thoughts: this is phenomenal bro. The lyricism is just brilliant. The instrumentals are filled with texture and movement. There are so many references to catch. Lauryn Hill is unreal. 9.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yeah. Everyone who says “rap isn’t for me” please try this album I am begging Fav tracks: almost all of it Least fav tracks: the Chinese Restaurant skit

Iconic. Bloody love 90s rnb

Ready Or Not and Fu Gee La heard before but only through samples. Killing me softly is my fav.

Top ten hip hop albums of all time. 🙌🏾 All amazing rappers and the beats are gritty and soulful all at the same damn time. Not sure if I like this or miseducation better but they’re both perfect albums.

A favorite hip hop album of mine since the 90s. Great to listen to again after a few years.

An album known to me, including some of my favourite ever tracks. Can't remember the last time I did a listen through so I enjoyed this greatly.

Γαμάτο Και δεν τους ήξερα σαν συγκρότημα Μόνο κάποια τραγούδια

9/10

Never listened to the whole thing and loved it. Especially the interludes!

Very solid. Some bum tracks though so not quite 5 star.

Fantastic album. The production is stellar, the beats are great and the rapping is top-shelf. There are smart lyrics and a range of exciting flows on every song. A great rap album all-around. I still can't believe that Lauryn Hill has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard AND she's also one of the best rappers of all time. She's stunning on this album throughout. I was struck by her breathless verse on "Manifest."

The sound of The Fugees is so strong- Hip Hop, R&B, some reggae and some jazz, with flowy rap verses and beautiful sung choruses; it's a great formula for making good tunes. This album is their strongest, with standout tracks like "Killing Me Softly With His Song", "Ready or Not", and "Fu-Gee-La". "Killing Me Softly With His Song" is so, so, so good. It's beautiful, and sad, and is such a tremendously catchy song that is propped up by such a powerful performance by Lauryn Hill. It's one of those songs that comes on and people have to stop what they're doing and hum or sing along. It's a "never skip" for me. I love / hate the sample of the classical guitar piece "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" on "Family Business". It really doesn't work; it's a (usually) crazy fast A minor 32nd note test of endurance- but here it's underneath a swing hip hop beat and they clash and I think in other contexts I would love how weird it is, but here it is just so "off". I actually stopped the song to see if I had left open a youtube tab with the song playing elsewhere, like if it was playing at the same time as this Fugees track. But nope- this is two pieces played together. One of my favorite aspects of their produced sound is the crackle and pops of a vinyl record underneath the instruments. There's simulators for that kind of thing these days to add some of that vinyl warmth into more modern sounding songs but when I hear it in tracks prior to the year 2000 or so it makes me think that it's a bit more authentic. Listening to this record 28 years after release, in 2024, I'm really in awe about the places that it is taking me. I'm on a trip while listening to this record (not a trip like I'm traveling, I mean that the album is taking me on a journey), and while I've mentioned that before on this list as many others in 1001 albums have had the same effect, it's just apparent while listening to this one that a lot of modern albums these days miss this kind of concept. They worry so much about singles and Spotify algorithms and TikTok virality. This was a reminder that these kinds of albums are still out there waiting to be heard. This album is really great at blending the starts and ends of tracks together. "Killing Me Softly..." actually starts at the end of the track before it, "Family Business", with a little tease of the primary melody. It's great for a straight listen-through. There's so much effort put into the listening experience on this album. Definite 5/5 for me.

This is, and I say this with love, such music nerd shit. A rap album that acts as a whirlwind tour through through Black American music from the 50’s onwards, with some Reggae influence thrown in for good measure, which is somehow still utterly convincing as a social document as well. It helps that The Fugees all clearly love and appreciate music as much as their audience does and so the interpolations, samples and yes, even straight covers of Robert Flack and Bob Marley don’t ever come across as biting, but as genuine appreciation for the musical influences they’re building on

Yes, yes, yes.

Fucking amazing.

I used to listen to this a bit when I was 15 so I’m a bit nostalgic with it. I used to think I was hipster listening to it, then I found it’s one of the best selling hip hop albums and one of the most streamed 90s hip hop albums. It’s got some great heavy hitters and a couple songs that sorta just move along but overall it’s a great, dark experience

I LOVE LAURYN HILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

groundbreaking album in so many ways. Two of the three artists are unapproachable.

This album came out when I was 16. Listening to it sparks deep nostalgia. I can smell my first car and the Case Logic CD case I kept this disc in.

Erykah Badu steals the damn show. Amazing production. One of the most listenable hip hop albums from start to finish.

Adorei descobrir que eles são as vozes de clássicos dos cinemas e eu nem sabia! Muito bom.

Wonderful.

Fantastic. Her voice is so nice, and her rapping is top notch. Plus the other guys add a great flair to it. One of the best blends of rap and r&b I've heard

Really good hip hop album. Im definitely coming back to this. Favs: How many mics, Zealots, The Beast, and Cowboys.

This whole album makes me happy. 6/5

Amazing blend of musical styles and lyrics.

10/10

Favorite Track: Family Business

This is one of the pinnacles of hip hop. The possibly racist depiction of an Asian restaurant owner is unfortunate, but it's overshadowed by the brilliance of the lyrics throughout.

Just a real chill, classic-sounding 90s hip hop album. Most songs were pretty long, but I didn't even really notice. The flow was top notch and the skits were minimal (which is a plus for me personally). Very bumpable.

This album was everything when it came out. Listening now some of the lyrics are silly. Lauren Hill was clearly the star of that trio IMO.

Better than I remembered

Got three tracks in before I realized I was on the radio edit version. Got better after that.

Banging

Classic

An absolute classic album for people of my generation - if you're into this sort of music, and perhaps even if you aren't. It was one of the soundtrack albums of 1996, and beyond. I don't think there is one weak track on it. The vocals complement each other, and the music, perfectly. I listened to it one, then again, for a grand total of "two times"!

The production, the rhymes, the variation in styles between each group member; one of the greatest hip-hop albums I've ever heard. Idk how I went this long without actually giving this a proper listen.

Great album. Enjoyed it absolutely!

Favourite tracks: how many mics; fugela; killing me softly with his song; ready or not; no woman no cry

This is a one of a kind album. I’m not really into gangster rap, and this is one of those “anti-gangster rap” rap albums that I love.

This is a great album. There's plenty of variety on here and I was vibing along the whole time. The production is on point and Lauryn has so much talent.

The greatest hip-hop album of all time in my opinion. I remember being in middle school listening to this thing on repeat, over and over. Finally got to see the Fugees in concert last year.