The Fugees made it to the stage despite fan skepticism and Lauryn Hill’s reputation for tardiness.
The iconic trio performed last Wednesday at Pier 31 in Manhattan, according to Black America. The show was part of a partnership with Global Citizen Live.
This performance is the first time Pras Michel, Wyclef Jean and Hill have been on stage together in 15 years. As expected, the show did not start on time.
They were over 3 hours late and only performed for 45 minutes. Despite the time crunch, they managed to do seven songs, according to Consequence Sound. The setlist included several hits, including “Killing Me Softly,” “Fu-Gee-La,” and “Ready or Not.”
The Fugees announced a 12-city tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their album “The Score.”
“The Fugees have a complex but impactful history,” Hill said in a statement. “I wasn’t even aware the 25th anniversary had arrived until someone brought it to my attention. I decided to honor this significant project, its anniversary, and the fans who appreciated the music by creating a peaceful platform where we could unite, perform the music we loved, and set an example of reconciliation for the world.”
The Fugees were the hotness in the 90s, especially after The Score dropped in 1996. The group disbanded the following year to focus on other projects. Hill went on to release her solo project “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in 1998.
The group was not on good terms after their breakup. Jean blamed Hill for the group’s demise and claimed she lied about the paternity of her eldest son Zion. Rohan Marley, Hill’s ex, is his father. In 2004, they reunited briefly, but it didn’t last.
In 2007, Michel vowed he would never step foot onstage with Hill again, per Pitchfork.
“Before I work with Lauryn Hill again, you have a better chance of seeing Osama Bin Laden and [George W.] Bush getting a latte,” he said.
Jean is singing a different tune years after the messiness.
“As I celebrate 25 years with the Fugees, my first memory was that we vowed, from the gate, we would not just do music. We would be a movement. We would be a voice for the unheard, and in these challenging times, I am grateful once again that God has brought us together.”
The tour starts on November 2 with a show in Chicago, according to The Rolling Stone. It’ll end on December 18 with a show in Ghana.
Hopefully, the Fugees get their ish together before people spend their money on those tickets.
