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Fu-Gee-La
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Fu-Gee-La
| cover = Fugeesfugeela.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Fugees
| album = The Score
| released = December 13, 1995
| recorded = 1995
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
*Hip hop
*reggae
| length = 4:20
| label = Ruffhouse
| writer =
* Nel Jean
* Prakazrel Michel
* Lauryn Hill
* Allen McGrier
* Mary Brockert
* Salaam Gibbs
* Homer Banks
* Carl Hampton
* Raymond Jackson
| producer = Salaam Remi
| prev_title = Refugees on the Mic
| prev_year = 1994
| next_title = Killing Me Softly
| next_year = 1996
| misc =
}}
"'Fu-Gee-La'" is a song by the American hip-hop trio, Fugees. It was released on December 13, 1995, as the lead single from their second and final album, 'The Score'.
"Fu-Gee-La", which was produced by Salaam Remi, contains a sample of "If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want to Be Right)" by Ramsey Lewis, and 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 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart, the Fugees' highest position on the chart, and peaked at #1 on the 'Billboard' Dance chart. "Fu-Gee-La" has been certified platinum by the RIAA. In 2016, the Weeknd sampled it on the song "Sidewalks"(featuring Kendrick Lamar), additionally Jay-Z sampled it on his song "Moonlight" on his 4:44 album. 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 Lees '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 Scores vibe was based around what that song was."
Music video
The 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'
# "Fu-Gee-La" (Album Version) 4:15
# "Fu-Gee-La" (North Side Mix) 4:15
# "Fu-Gee-La" (Refugee Camp Remix) 4:24
# "Fu-Gee-La" (Sly & Robbie Mix) 5:33
# "Fu-Gee-La" (Wyclef's Global Acoustic Mix) 4:18
# "Fu-Gee-La" (Fugi Acapella) 4:08
'UK CD2'
# "Fu-Gee-La" (Album Version) 4:15
# "Fu-Gee-La" (Album Instrumental) 4:15
# "Fu-Gee-La" (Refugee Camp Remix) 4:24
# "Fu-Gee-La" (Refugee Camp Instrumental) 4:22
# "Fu-Gee-La" (North Side Mix) 4:15
# "Fu-Gee-La" (Sly & Robbie Mix) 5:33
# "How Many Mics" 4:22
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
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