Fu-Gee-La

"Fu-Gee-La" is a song by American hip-hop trio, Fugees, released on December 13, 1995, by Ruffhouse and Columbia 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 number one on the Billboard Maxi-Singles Sales chart. The music video was filmed in Jamaica. "Fu-Gee-La" has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 2016, the Weeknd sampled it on the song "Sidewalks", additionally Jay-Z sampled it on his song "Moonlight" from 4:44. Trey Songz also interpolates the song on his single "Na Na".

Background

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."

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine 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". Michael Hill from Cash Box named it one of the "memorable tracks" of The Score album. 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." 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." David Fricke from Rolling Stone also complimented "the sweet heat" of Hill's alto.

Music video

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). It follows a robbery-related concept, with each band member taking on a particular role.

Track listing

• 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

Release history

Certifications