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Track: The Mask
Artist: Fugees
Album: The Score (Expanded Edition)

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Name: Fugees
Spotify Genres: east coast hip hop
Followers: 1,627,248
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Biography

The Fugees () are an American hip hop group formed in South Orange, New Jersey, in 1990. The trio of Wyclef Jean, Pras Michel, and Lauryn Hill was known for their fusion of hip hop, reggae, R&B, and funk; their socially conscious lyrics; and use of live instrumentation during their performances. Their sound stood apart during the gangsta rap-dominated era, as they became one of the most significant alternative hip hop acts. Their name, derived from "refugees", referenced Jean's immigrant background, Michel's Haitian heritage, and themes of resilience in their music, which occasionally incorporated Haitian Creole. After signing with Ruffhouse Records, an imprint of Columbia Records, in 1993, the Fugees released their debut album Blunted on Reality (1994). Initially met with modest sales, it gained traction as they built a reputation in local clubs and talent shows. Producer Salaam Remi remixed their songs "Nappy Heads" and "Vocab", with the former charting on the Billboard Hot 100, helping them gain underground recognition. Their second album, The Score (1996), was a massive commercial success, spawning the hit singles "Fu-Gee-La", "Ready or Not", and their reimagined version of "Killing Me Softly", which topped the charts in over 20 countries worldwide. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard 200, was certified 7× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards, making it only the second rap album to receive the honor. According to The New York Times, its success placed the Fugees "at the forefront of pop music". At their peak, the Fugees collaborated with various artists, appearing on Simply Red's "Angel", and releasing "Rumble in the Jungle", which featured Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest and John Forté, both of which reached the top five on the UK Singles Chart. They also collaborated with Bounty Killer on the rap opera single "Hip-Hopera". In 1997, they performed what was the largest staged concert in Haitian history, becoming one of the country's most significant musical events. However, internal conflicts led to their disbandment later that year, with each member pursuing solo careers. They have reunited periodically, including for tours and live performances, such as their appearance in Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005). The Fugees have won two Grammy Awards, a Brit Award for International Group, and the Medal of Honor from Haitian President René Préval. They are frequently ranked among the greatest rap groups, with Billboard stating that they "contributed to the diversification of Black identity in popular culture through potent rhymes that were equal parts conscious and commercially relevant". VH1 named them among the 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Artists (2003). The Score was included in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums, while "Ready or Not" was recognized as one of the Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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Release: Fugees - The Score
Year: 2012
Genres: Hip Hop
Styles: Pop Rap, Conscious

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LYRICS

[CHORUS]
Have you ever worn the mask one-two one-two,
M to the A to the S to the K
Put the mask upon the face just to make the next day,
Feds be hawkin me
Jokers be stalking me,
I walk the streets and camouflage my identity,
My posse in the Brooklyn wear the mask.
My crew in the Jersey wear the mask.
Stick up kids doing boogie woogie wear the mask.
Yeah everybody wear da mask but how long will it last.

[CLEF]
I used to work at Burger King. A king taking orders.
Punching my clock. Now I'm wanted by the manager. Soupin me up sayin "Your a nice worker,"
"How would you like a quarter raise, move up the register" "Large in charge, but cha gotta be my spy,
Come back and tell me who's baggin my fries,
Getting high on company time."
Hell no sirree, wrong M.C.
Why should I be a spy, when you spying me,
And you see whatcha thought ya saw but never seen.
Ya missed ya last move, Checkmate! Crown me King, Hold my 22 pistol whipped him in his face.
Hired now I'm fired, sold bud now I'm wired,
Eyes pitch red but da beat bop my head
Hit the streets for relief, I bumped into the Feds,
I got kidnapped they took me to D.C.,
Have me working underground building missiles for World War III.

[CHORUS]
M to the A to the S to the K,
Put the mask up on the face just to make the next day.
Brothers be gaming, Ladies be claiming.
I walk the streets and camouflage my identity.
My posse Uptown wear the mask.
My crew in the Queens wear the mask.
Stick up kids with the Tommy Hil wear the mask.
Yeah everbody wear the mask but how long will it last.

[LAURYN]
I thought he was the wonder, and I was stunned by his lips, Taking sips sipping Amaretto sour with a twist,
Shook my hips to the bass line, this joker grabbed my waistline, Putting pressure on my spine trying to get L-Boog to wind, I backed up off him then caught him with five finger to his face, I had to put him in his place, This kids invading my space,
But then I recognized the smile, but I couldn't place the style, So many fronts in his mouth, I thought he was the Golden Child, Then it hit me that's Tariq from off the street around Grams. I haven't seeen him since fifteen, when he got booked for doing scams. I tried to walk away but he wouldn't let me leave, He ran up quick behind me asking, "Yo what happened to my nigga Steve?" Steve was like this kid I went with back in Grammar School. I chuckled knucklehead I seen him yesterday he's cool, He's busted, "so who you checking for now?" Probably some intellectual. I kept the conversation straight and he kept trying to make it sexual. Then his old lady tried to play me waved her hands up in my face, Yo I told her check your man cause Bitch you acting out of place.

[CHORUS]
M to the A to the S to the K,
Put the mask up on the face just to make the next day.
Brothers be gaming, Ladies be claiming.
I walk the streets and camouflage my identity.
My posse Uptown wear the mask.
My crew in the Queens wear the mask.
Stick up kids with the Tommy Hil wear the mask.
Yeah everbody wear the mask but how long will it last.

[PRAZ]
3 A.M. in the morning on the Boulevard,
I'm still at large engaged with my entourage,
Me and Godfather and a 67 Dodge.
I stepped out the note to post up my guard
Searching for my car that was stolen from Scotland Yard. My first instinct was to check the chop shop garage. As I rung the bell someone tapped me on my back, I turned around to look it was a rookie in a mask. He said, "I got a itchin' on my trigger,
Don't move nigga I'm taking you for murder."
See cops got two faces like two laces on my Reeboks.
My knees knock as I step back for a claear shot,
Well did you shoot him? Naw kid I didn't have the balls, That's when I realized I'm pumpin'too much Biggie Smalls.

[CHORUS]
M to the A to the S to the K,
Put the mask up on the face just to make the next day.
Brothers be gaming, Ladies be claiming.
I walk the streets and camouflage my identity.
My posse Uptown wear the mask.
My crew in the Queens wear the mask.
Stick up kids with the Tommy Hil wear the mask.
Yeah everbody wear the mask but how long will it last