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"'''Fu-Gee-La'''" is a song by American [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] trio, [[Fugees]], released on December 13, 1995, as the lead single from their second and final album, ''[[The Score (Fugees album)|The Score]]'' (1996). Produced by [[Salaam Remi]], it contains a sample of "[[If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want to Be Right)]]" by [[Ramsey Lewis]], while its [[refrain|chorus]] contains an interpolation of "[[Ooo La La La (Teena Marie song)|Ooo La La La]]" by [[Teena Marie]]. Immediately following this is a sample of "Shakiyla (JRH)" by the [[Poor Righteous Teachers]].
"'''Fu-Gee-La'''" is a song by American [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] trio, [[Fugees]], released on December 13, 1995 by [[Ruffhouse Records]], as the lead single from their second and final album, ''[[The Score (Fugees album)|The Score]]'' (1996). Produced by [[Salaam Remi]], it contains a sample of "[[If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want to Be Right)]]" by [[Ramsey Lewis]], while its [[refrain|chorus]] contains an interpolation of "[[Ooo La La La (Teena Marie song)|Ooo La La La]]" by [[Teena Marie]]. Immediately following this is a sample of "Shakiyla (JRH)" by the [[Poor Righteous Teachers]].


Several remixes of the song, including the "Refugee Camp Remix" and the "[[Sly & Robbie]] Remix", which features a young [[Akon]], also appear on ''The Score''. The song peaked at number 29 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart, the Fugees' highest position on the chart, and peaked at #1 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Dance/Electronic Singles Sales|Dance]] chart. "Fu-Gee-La" has been certified platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gold & Platinum|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|access-date=2021-03-31|website=RIAA|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2016, [[the Weeknd]] sampled it on the song "[[Sidewalks (song)|Sidewalks]]"(featuring [[Kendrick Lamar]]),<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Solid Score of Fu-Gee-La|url=https://www.ayoungoldman.com/theclassics2017/2017/7/6/the-solid-score-of-fu-gee-la|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Romel Lherisson|language=en-US}}</ref> additionally [[Jay-Z]] sampled it on his song "Moonlight" on his [[4:44]] album.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tracing The History Of The Fugees Sample On JAY-Z's "Moonlight"|url=https://genius.com/a/tracing-the-history-of-the-fugees-sample-on-jay-z-s-moonlight|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Genius|language=en}}</ref> [[Trey Songz]] also interpolates the song on his single "[[Na Na (song)|Na Na]]".
Several remixes of the song, including the "Refugee Camp Remix" and the "[[Sly & Robbie]] Remix", which features a young [[Akon]], also appear on ''The Score''. The song peaked at number 29 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart, the Fugees' highest position on the chart, and peaked at #1 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Dance/Electronic Singles Sales|Dance]] chart. The music video was filmed in [[Jamaica]]. "Fu-Gee-La" has been certified platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gold & Platinum|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|access-date=2021-03-31|website=RIAA|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2016, [[the Weeknd]] sampled it on the song "[[Sidewalks (The Weeknd song)|Sidewalks]]",<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Solid Score of Fu-Gee-La|url=https://www.ayoungoldman.com/theclassics2017/2017/7/6/the-solid-score-of-fu-gee-la|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Romel Lherisson|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423223707/https://www.ayoungoldman.com/theclassics2017/2017/7/6/the-solid-score-of-fu-gee-la|url-status=dead}}</ref> additionally [[Jay-Z]] sampled it on his song "Moonlight" from ''[[4:44]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tracing The History Of The Fugees Sample On JAY-Z's "Moonlight"|url=https://genius.com/a/tracing-the-history-of-the-fugees-sample-on-jay-z-s-moonlight|access-date=2021-04-24|website=Genius|language=en}}</ref> [[Trey Songz]] also interpolates the song on his single "[[Na Na (song)|Na Na]]".


==Background==
==Background==
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==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
[[Larry Flick]] from ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' stated that "Fu-Gee-La" "delivers the dope and then some: The Fugees' trademark tight, creative lyrics find a perfect home in the recycled hook from [[Teena Marie]]'s 1988 No. 1 [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] hit, "[[Ooo La La La (Teena Marie song)|Ooo La La La]]"." He added that it "should be a no-brainer for urban programmers".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|title=Reviews & Previews: Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-01-20.pdf|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=January 20, 1996|page=70|accessdate=November 22, 2022|author-link=Larry Flick}}</ref> Michael Hill from ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' picked it as one of the "memorable tracks" of ''[[The Score (Fugees album)|The Score]]'' album.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Michael|last=Hill|title=Urban|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1996/CB-1996-02-17.pdf|work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]|date=February 17, 1996|page=11|accessdate=November 11, 2022}}</ref>
[[Larry Flick]] from ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' stated that 'Fu-Gee-La' "delivers the dope and then some: [[The Fugees]]' trademark tight, creative lyrics find a perfect home in the recycled hook from [[Teena Marie]]'s 1988 No. 1 [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] hit, '[[Ooo La La La (Teena Marie song)|Ooo La La La]]'." He added that it "should be a no-brainer for [[Contemporary urban|urban]] programmers".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|title=Reviews & Previews: Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-01-20.pdf|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=January 20, 1996|page=70|accessdate=November 22, 2022|author-link=Larry Flick}}</ref> Michael Hill from ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' named it one of the "memorable tracks" of ''[[The Score (Fugees album)|The Score]]'' album.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Michael|last=Hill|title=Urban|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1996/CB-1996-02-17.pdf|magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]|date=February 17, 1996|page=11|accessdate=November 11, 2022}}</ref> [[Neil Kulkarni]] from ''[[Melody Maker]]'' named it Single of the Week, writing that the trio "return with a wicked track, [[Wyclef Jean|Wyclef]] & [[Pras|Prakazrel]]'s rapping as incisive as ever and [[Lauryn Hill|Lauryn]]'s vocals the same fluid mix of swoonsome melody and lyrical sharpness."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Neil|last=Kulkarni|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53627831151/|title=Singles|magazine=[[Melody Maker]]|date=January 27, 1996|page=32|access-date=May 9, 2024|author-link=Neil Kulkarni}}</ref> In December 1996, ''Melody Maker'' ranked "Fu-Gee-La" number 45 in their list of "Singles of the Year", adding, "A typically cool and tuneful offering from the year's rap phenomenon, featuring ''that'' slinky backbeat and Lauryn's crystal vocals."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53760986465/|title=Singles Of The Year|magazine=[[Melody Maker]]|date=December 21, 1996|page=68|access-date=June 5, 2024}}</ref> [[David Fricke]] from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' also complimented "the sweet heat" of Hill's [[alto]].<ref>[[David Fricke|Fricke, David]] (December 26, 1996-January 9, 1997). "The year in recordings". ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Issue 750/751.</ref>


==Music video==
==Music video==
The accompanying [[music video]] for "Fu-Gee-La" was filmed in [[Jamaica]]. The Fugees wanted to recreate [[Jimmy Cliff|Jimmy Cliff's]] film ''[[The Harder They Come]]'' (1972).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Coleman|first1=Brian|title=Check the Technique: Liner Notes for Hip-Hop Junkies|date=March 12, 2009|publisher=Random House Publishing Group|location=New York|page=218|isbn=9780307494429|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QuOBbFeg0JIC&q=fugees+killing+me+softly|accessdate=August 9, 2016}}</ref> It follows a robbery-related concept, with each band member taking on a particular role.
The accompanying music video for "Fu-Gee-La" was filmed in [[Jamaica]]. The Fugees wanted to recreate [[Jimmy Cliff|Jimmy Cliff's]] film ''[[The Harder They Come]]'' (1972).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Coleman|first1=Brian|title=Check the Technique: Liner Notes for Hip-Hop Junkies|date=March 12, 2009|publisher=Random House Publishing Group|location=New York|page=218|isbn=9780307494429|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QuOBbFeg0JIC&q=fugees+killing+me+softly|accessdate=August 9, 2016}}</ref> It follows a robbery-related concept, with each band member taking on a particular role.


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
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|{{singlechart|Wallonia|8|artist=Fugees|song=Fu-Gee-La}}
|{{singlechart|Wallonia|8|artist=Fugees|song=Fu-Gee-La}}
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|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-06-29.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=13|issue=26|date=June 29, 1996|page=20|access-date=April 27, 2023}}</ref>
|align="center"|26
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|{{singlechart|UK|21|date=1996-03-31}}
|{{singlechart|UK|21|date=1996-03-31}}
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|{{singlechart|UKdance|10|date=19960331|accessdate=April 1, 2023}}
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|{{singlechart|UKrandb|4|date=1996-03-31}}
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|{{singlechart|Billboardrhythmic|26|artist=Fugees|accessdate=November 27, 2019}}
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|align="center"|57
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|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1996|work=Billboard|accessdate=July 18, 2021}}</ref>
|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1996|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=July 18, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|75
|align="center"|75
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|US Hot Rap Singles (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sQkEAAAAMBAJ&q=Hot+Rap+Singles+Fu+gee+la|title=This Year in Music: Hot Rap Singles|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=December 28, 1996|page=YE-42}}</ref>
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{{authority control}}


[[Category:1996 singles]]
[[Category:1995 songs]]
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[[Category:1995 singles]]
[[Category:Fugees songs]]
[[Category:Fugees songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Wyclef Jean]]
[[Category:Songs written by Wyclef Jean]]
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[[Category:Song recordings produced by Salaam Remi]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Salaam Remi]]
[[Category:Hip hop soul songs]]
[[Category:Hip hop soul songs]]
⚫
[[Category:1996 songs]]
[[Category:Ruffhouse Records singles]]
[[Category:Ruffhouse Records singles]]

Latest revision as of 07:11, 13 September 2024

"Fu-Gee-La"
Single by Fugees
from the album The Score
ReleasedDecember 13, 1995
Recorded1995
GenreEast Coast hip hop[1][2][3][4]
Length4:20
LabelRuffhouse
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Salaam Remi
Fugees singles chronology
"Refugees on the Mic"
(1994) 		"Fu-Gee-La"
(1995) 		"Killing Me Softly"
(1996)
Music video
"Fu-Gee-La" on YouTube

"Fu-Gee-La" is a song by American hip-hop trio, Fugees, released on December 13, 1995 by Ruffhouse Records, as the lead single from their second and final album, The Score (1996). Produced by Salaam Remi, it contains a sample of "If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want to Be Right)" by Ramsey Lewis, while its chorus contains an interpolation of "Ooo La La La" by Teena Marie. Immediately following this is a sample of "Shakiyla (JRH)" by the Poor Righteous Teachers.

Several remixes of the song, including the "Refugee Camp Remix" and the "Sly & Robbie Remix", which features a young Akon, also appear on The Score. The song peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the Fugees' highest position on the chart, and peaked at #1 on the Billboard Dance chart. The music video was filmed in Jamaica. "Fu-Gee-La" has been certified platinum by the RIAA.[5] In 2016, the Weeknd sampled it on the song "Sidewalks",[6] additionally Jay-Z sampled it on his song "Moonlight" from 4:44.[7] Trey Songz also interpolates the song on his single "Na Na".

Background

[edit]

Producer Salaam Remi discussed the song's conception: "We actually were working on a song for Spike Lee’s Clockers movie that actually, that song never came out. So we had a song that we did for Clockers, and then during that session, Wyclef was like, 'Yo, play that beat you did for Fat Joe!' And Lauryn was like, 'Yo, play the Fat Joe beat' and then when I played it, Clef jumped up and spit the first verse to 'Fu-Gee-La.' He had the verse, but it just fell all together and then we worked on it. That song was actually done prior to The Score, so a lot of The Score’s vibe was based around what that song was."[8]

Critical reception

[edit]

Larry Flick from Billboard stated that 'Fu-Gee-La' "delivers the dope and then some: The Fugees' trademark tight, creative lyrics find a perfect home in the recycled hook from Teena Marie's 1988 No. 1 R&B hit, 'Ooo La La La'." He added that it "should be a no-brainer for urban programmers".[9] Michael Hill from Cash Box named it one of the "memorable tracks" of The Score album.[10] Neil Kulkarni from Melody Maker named it Single of the Week, writing that the trio "return with a wicked track, Wyclef & Prakazrel's rapping as incisive as ever and Lauryn's vocals the same fluid mix of swoonsome melody and lyrical sharpness."[11] In December 1996, Melody Maker ranked "Fu-Gee-La" number 45 in their list of "Singles of the Year", adding, "A typically cool and tuneful offering from the year's rap phenomenon, featuring that slinky backbeat and Lauryn's crystal vocals."[12] David Fricke from Rolling Stone also complimented "the sweet heat" of Hill's alto.[13]

Music video

[edit]

The accompanying music video for "Fu-Gee-La" was filmed in Jamaica. The Fugees wanted to recreate Jimmy Cliff's film The Harder They Come (1972).[14] It follows a robbery-related concept, with each band member taking on a particular role.

Track listing

[edit]
  • UK CD1
  1. "Fu-Gee-La" (Album Version) – 4:15
  2. "Fu-Gee-La" (North Side Mix) – 4:15
  3. "Fu-Gee-La" (Refugee Camp Remix) – 4:24
  4. "Fu-Gee-La" (Sly & Robbie Mix) – 5:33
  5. "Fu-Gee-La" (Wyclef's Global Acoustic Mix) – 4:18
  6. "Fu-Gee-La" (Fugi Acapella) – 4:08
  • UK CD2
  1. "Fu-Gee-La" (Album Version) – 4:15
  2. "Fu-Gee-La" (Album Instrumental) – 4:15
  3. "Fu-Gee-La" (Refugee Camp Remix) – 4:24
  4. "Fu-Gee-La" (Refugee Camp Instrumental) – 4:22
  5. "Fu-Gee-La" (North Side Mix) – 4:15
  6. "Fu-Gee-La" (Sly & Robbie Mix) – 5:33
  7. "How Many Mics" – 4:22

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI)[44] Gold 250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[46] Platinum 1,000,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Fu-Gee-La". Rate Your Music. 1996.
  2. ^ "Fu-Gee-La". Who Sampled. 1995.
  3. ^ "Fu-Gee-La". All Music. 1995.
  4. ^ "Fu-Gee-La". Amazon Music. 1996.
  5. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  6. ^ "The Solid Score of Fu-Gee-La". Romel Lherisson. Archived from the original on 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  7. ^ "Tracing The History Of The Fugees Sample On JAY-Z's "Moonlight"". Genius. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  8. ^ "The Fugees & Salaam Remi - The Inspiration Behind "Fu-Gee-La"". HipHopDX. February 13, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  9. ^ Flick, Larry (January 20, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 70. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  10. ^ Hill, Michael (February 17, 1996). "Urban" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 11. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  11. ^ Kulkarni, Neil (January 27, 1996). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 32. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  12. ^ "Singles Of The Year". Melody Maker. December 21, 1996. p. 68. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  13. ^ Fricke, David (December 26, 1996-January 9, 1997). "The year in recordings". Rolling Stone. Issue 750/751.
  14. ^ Coleman, Brian (March 12, 2009). Check the Technique: Liner Notes for Hip-Hop Junkies. New York: Random House Publishing Group. p. 218. ISBN 9780307494429. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  15. ^ "Fugees – Fu-Gee-La". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  16. ^ "Fugees – Fu-Gee-La" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  17. ^ "Fugees – Fu-Gee-la" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  18. ^ "Fugees – Fu-Gee-La" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  19. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 26. June 29, 1996. p. 20. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  20. ^ "Fugees: Fu-Gee-La" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  21. ^ "Fugees – Fu-Gee-La" (in French). Les classement single.
  22. ^ "Fugees – Fu-Gee-La" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  23. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Fugees" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  24. ^ "Fugees – Fu-Gee-La" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  25. ^ "Fugees – Fu-Gee-La". Top 40 Singles.
  26. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  27. ^ "Fugees – Fu-Gee-La". Singles Top 100.
  28. ^ "Fugees – Fu-Gee-La". Swiss Singles Chart.
  29. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  30. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  31. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  32. ^ "Fugees Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  33. ^ "Fugees Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  34. ^ "Fugees Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  35. ^ "Fugees Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  36. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1996". Ultratop. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  37. ^ "Rapports Annuels 1996". Ultratop. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  38. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  39. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1996". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  40. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1996". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  41. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 1996" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  42. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  43. ^ "This Year in Music: Hot Rap Singles". Billboard. December 28, 1996. p. YE-42.
  44. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Fugees; 'Fu-Gee-La')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  45. ^ "British single certifications – Fugees – Fu-Gee-La". British Phonographic Industry.
  46. ^ "American single certifications – Fugees – Fu-Gee-La". Recording Industry Association of America.
[edit]
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