This weeks featured artist is the Fugees. I chose the Fugees because this band and each of its members major impacts on the music and culture in the 90’s and 00’s. I absolutely love Lauren Hill’s vocals in Sister Act and have purchased The Score and The Miss Education Of Lauren Hill albums a few times. A mesh of R&B, Hip Hop, and Reggae they spoke about politics, and emotions. With hard hitting snares, catch synth patterns, Northern Rap follows, Haitian Flava, soul, and R&B influences from the 70’s and 80’s . The Fugees hooked their fans with lyrical content and addictive grooves. I love this group and each artist individually. In 1987 the group formed in South Orange, NJ with members Lauren Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel. The group would only release two albums Blunted on Reality (1994) and The Score (1996). With the release of The Score, The Fugees would go on to be one of the most respected and successful hip-hop groups of all time. The Score with tracks like Ready or Not Killing Me Softly, How Many Mics, and No Woman No Cry. Despite the group winning Grammy awards for their work on The Score they split to peruse solo careers in 1996. Wyclef would go on to release The Carnaval Which features Gone to November in 1997 . Wyclef Jean would later release several albums working with artists like Destiny Child, Mary J. Blige and Santana. His release was followed by Pras’ Ghetto Super Star, which featured R&B singer Mya and Rapper Ole Dirty Bastard. Lauren Hill released The Mis Education of Lauren Hill in 1998. Her debut solo album features Carlos Santana , D’Angelo, and Mary J. Blige. The Mis Education of Lauren Hill won Lauren Hill five Grammy Awards in 1999.
The Second artist being featured this week is No Doubt a Punk/Pop/Ska/New Wave Rock band from Anaheim, CA. With vocalist Gwen Stefani, bassist and keyboardist Tony Kanal, guitarist and keyboardist Tom Dumont, and drummer Adrian Young. In the mid-1990s added keyboardist and trombonist Gabrial McNair and keyboardist and trumpeter Stephen Bradley. I chose this group as a contrast because both ladies manage to be the focal point of both groups. Both groups also have reggae influences and but No Doubt definitely gives it a twist with the Rock Vibe. Both ladies also have successful solo careers. I remember seeing Don’t Speak on MTV and instantly falling in love with the group. I’ve brought Tragic Kingdom and Rock Steady a few times as well. With hits like Don’t Speak, Simple Kind of Life, Hey Baby, and Underneath It All No Doubt is a force to be reckoned with. Gwen Steffani would go on to release Love Angel Music Baby and the Sweet Escape which gave her several successful singles such as Holla Back Girl, Rich Girl, and Wind Up. Her sound would change a bit with more Hip hop and Pop influences.
Works Cited
Bush, J. (2016). Biography. Retrieved 02 27, 2016, from All Music: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/fugees-mn0000182415/biography
Last.fm. (2016). Fugees Biography. (smee85, Ed.) Retrieved 02 27, 2016, from Last.fm: http://www.last.fm/music/Fugees/+wiki
No Doubt. (2016). Biography. Retrieved 02 27, 2016, from NoDoubt.com: http://www.nodoubt.com/biography
ShanaBurwell 