Lauryn Hill (51) and Wyclef Jean (56) believe new music from the Fugees (since 1992) is possible. When asked by "BBC News" whether an album could follow, the singer answered briefly: "Absolutely." Her bandmate had picked up the question himself beforehand: "Will there be music in the future?" However, neither of them confirmed that recording is already underway.
The occasion for the conversation was a concert in Milton Keynes. On Friday, August 7th, Hill's one-day festival "Diaspora Calling!" will take place in the UK for the first time. The evening marks the 30th anniversary of "The Score" from 1996, the group's last studio album to date with hits like "Ready or Not", "Fu-Gee-La" and "Killing Me Softly". In addition to Hill and Jean, performers include Erykah Badu (55), Giggs and Hill's sons YG Marley (24) and Zion Marley (29), who are also grandsons of reggae legend Bob Marley (1945-1981). The evening will be hosted by comedian Dave Chappelle (52).
"An incredible healing process"
The interview showed how close the two have become again. "All I can say is: We're in God's hands", Jean said and began singing in the middle of the conversation: "I'm back with my bandmate!" And continued: "We're at a great point. I think the energy is very important."
Hill added: "There's been an incredible healing process between us as a band and as bandmates. And as you already said, we simply want to show that and share some of that energy with the world."
In total, the Fugees released only two studio albums: the 1994 debut "Blunted On Reality" and 1996's "The Score", which music magazine "NME" counts among the greatest hip-hop records of all time. The trio split in 1997, there was a brief reunion between 2004 and 2006, and a tour for the album's 25th anniversary in 2021.
The third band member is in prison
Nevertheless, the group is far from a complete reunion. Pras Michel (53), the third band member, is serving a 14-year prison sentence in the US. He was convicted in April 2023 for his involvement in a multibillion-dollar Malaysian money laundering scandal.
Shortly before the planned 2024 US tour, the band canceled its dates. Shortly thereafter, Michel sued his bandmate for fraud and accused her of "arrogance" and "narcissistic tendencies". Hill called the lawsuit "baseless" and "full of false claims and unwarranted attacks" to "NME". Michel subsequently declared that he was "done" with the Fugees.
"It was always about the movement"
In the interview, Jean recalled the group's original vision: "I remember saying at a very young age: We're not making music, we're going to be a movement." He considers their themes more relevant than ever: "When you talk about the idea of refugees, you should look at where we are today. We were saying these things 30 years ago. It was never just about us - it was always about the movement."
Hill adds: "Our different origins came together to unite culture, to reflect culture and to show people how beautiful, powerful and imaginative this culture is."
For Hill, there's an obvious reason why her festival is starting in London: "There's so much diaspora in London. So many people are represented here. It felt to us like a circle was being completed."
