Fu-Gee-La : Again , combining multiple samples worked wonders for this track . Fu-Gee-La still stands as my favorite track from the album . Aside from the obvious mainstream appeal , and the fact they sampled one of soul music ’ s biggest singles ever in “ Ooh La La La ” from Teena Marie , as well as Ramsey Lewis ’ “ If Loving You Is Wrong I Don ’ t Want To Be Right ” and “ Shakiyia ” from Poor Righteous Teachers , there still was a certain rarity in the overall sound . Lauryn grabbed me right away as she led the tracks chorus ; “ Ooh la la la , it ’ s he way that we rock when we doing our thing …” Hearing this tune , everyone knew there was something special about Lauryn . When you listen to it today , it ’ s clear that each member was on point , yet , at the time when it was released , Pras & Clef were easily overlooked . Lauryn brought an entirely different element to the table that made people listen , and ultimately realize the magic they were making together .
Family Business : Family Business was one of the very tracks on this album that allowed Lauryn to truly showcase her crazy flow . She could be a lady when the time required , and she could get downright hood at other times . She feverishly spit like her life depended on it : “ my circle it can ’ t be broken , open cut , throatin , provokin , record promotin ’, tokin ’, chokin ’ on their words like smokin ’, cause we ’ re soft-spoken doesn ’ t mean that we forgotten , your booty smell rotten , and one day you will be gotten , see jokers is scatter-brained , their focus is unrestrained , my army is trained , you ’ ll never find us beefin in vain ..” Honestly , they all spit venom on this track . Omega & John Fortè also stepped in for a verse here . Samples here included tunes from Bob Marley , James Taylor , John Williams , and Joe Bataan .
Killing Me Softly : Anyone who wasn ’ t already a believer in the power of Lauryn hill before this single had definitely changed their minds by the time it dropped . Her spin on the song made classic by Roberta Flack was nothing short of amazing . Not often does someone cover a classic tune , and totally blow it out the park to the point where it ’ s damned bear better than the original . Obviously , there ’ s a number of remakes of this track , but the Fugees really took it to the next level . It was definitely an opportunity to spotlight Lauryn ’ s vocal prowess .
The Score : Definitely another one of the album ’ s heavy hitters , The Score featured a collaboration with Diamond D , and boasted samples of Eric B & Rakim , Cymande , and Afrika Bambaataa . The way this track was put together was pure magic , and it lends to the credibility they built as emcees and budding producers .
The Mask : This was always one of my favorite tracks on the album , featuring a sample from The Moody Blues ’ Nights in White Satin . Clearly , the average person of this generation , or at least at the time this was released , wouldn ’ t have known much about The Moody Blues , but this was really a dope track .
Cowboys : hands down one of the dopest tracks on the album , partly because they were trading bars with none other than John Fortè and the Outsidaz ! Zee , Pacewon , and Rah Digga undoubtedly did their thing , and John added the extra fire . With Cowboys , the group pulled samples from Mad Cobra , Kenny Rogers , The Intruders , Raekwon , The Main Ingredient , and Manu Dibango .
No Woman , No Cry : Another amazing remake of a classic tune , this time from Bob Marley & the Wailers . When you think back now , it would seem inevitable that this would be a tune they ’ d cover , given Lauryn ’ s connection with the Marleys , but of course , no one really knew clearly what that connection would grow to be at that time . Nevertheless , No Woman , No Cry did very well for the Fugees upon its release as a single .
Manifest Outro : combined with the album outro , Manifest represents another highlight for The Score . Sampling Poor Righteous Teachers ’ Rock Dis Funky Joint and Big Daddy Kane ’ s Ain ’ t No Half Stepping , each member definitely gave us something to be happy about in their flows . It was the perfect joint to round out an album filled with certified classics .
Also included were 4 additional bonus tracks , 3 of which were remixes to the smash hit Fu-Gee-La with one featuring a then-Unknown rapper by the name of Akon . No one knew at the time how big he would come to be years later . The final bonus was the Wyclef solo Mista Mista .
All in all , this album went down in history as the classic it is because of what it covered , and how it was ultimately delivered . They covered ground that no other rapper or group w covered in hip-hop , and they were unapologetic about it . There was no shame in the fact they were different . The fact they were a far cry from all else in hip-hop was likely the reasoning in the somewhat disappoint performance of their debut . Nonetheless , their charisma and natural talent shined for The Score . It ’ s no wonder they each ultimately blew up to become even larger than the group . No one could have ever been prepared for how bright their stars would shine as solo artists . They were proof that you could deliver straight from your heart with honesty , and still be accepted in what many label an artificial society . They ’ re originality was the forefront , even with the many samples they blew through on The Score . It ’ s one thing to outright steal someone else ’ s music , and it ’ s another to properly blend it all in a way that it becomes brand new . No question , they knew what they were doing .
Despite the trouble we ’ ve seen with the group on the years to follow , including a short-lived reunion , I like to think there ’ s still hope . That reunion was proof that miracles do happen , and hey , lightening has been known to strike twice on occasion . The world , I believe , is still hoping for that miracle . +