Tag: Fugees

Bo Jackson and Lauryn Hill: Legendary Even Without Longevity

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date March 9, 2023
No Comments on Bo Jackson and Lauryn Hill: Legendary Even Without Longevity

Some people are too talented to be confined to just one lane.

Vincent Edward “Bo” Jackson was the rare two-sport athlete. He could have been a Hall of Famer in both baseball and football.

Lauryn Hill was the rare two-discipline musical artist. She could have had the greatest career as both a rapper and a singer.

They also shared several other traits in common: reaching incredible heights; colleagues accusing them of being difficult; focusing on their families; and, above all, not being interested in living up to the outsized expectations created by their early acts of brilliance.

Tags Blunted on Reality, Bo Jackson, Family, Fatherhood, Fugees, Greatness, Hip-Hop, Lauryn Hill, MLB, Music, NFL, Rap, Tecmo Bowl, The Score

Books Hip-Hop Reviews

A Fun, Glib, and Honest Trip Down Rap Memory Lane – “Ruffhouse” Reviewed

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date August 20, 2019
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Growing up in the Philly area, there is a constant underlying feeling of inferiority, like a little brother, in regards to New York City, particularly within the realm of hip-hop.

Tags Book Reviews, Books, Cypress Hill, Fugees, Hip-Hop, Kris Kross, Philadelphia, Philly, Rap, Ruffhouse, The Roots

Hip-Hop Lessons Rap True Story

From 12 Copies Sold to 10 Million — The Evolution of The Fugees

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date December 12, 2017
No Comments on From 12 Copies Sold to 10 Million — The Evolution of The Fugees

Whether personally, professionally, or creatively, you’ve probably had a project or plan fail miserably, even beyond your wildest fears and worst-case scenarios. In fact, you’ve probably had more than one. I certainly have.

While there may be a natural tendency to wallow in our misery, it’s important not to let that failure derail us. They say the best marketing for your current project is to make a new project. And that’s true.

It’s also the best way to overcome failure.

Tags Blunted on Reality, Failure, Fugees, Hip-Hop, Learning, LIfe Lessons, Rap, The Score

Hip-Hop I Was There Rap

I Was There: Smokin’ Grooves ’98

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date April 21, 2016
1 Comment on I Was There: Smokin’ Grooves ’98

Unlike many of my fellow suburban high school students, I didn’t attend concerts.

Tags Black Eyed Peas, Busta Rhymes, Canibus, Cypress Hill, Flipmode Squad, Fugees, Gang Starr, Guru, Mya, Pras, Public Enemy, Wyclef

Week in Review

Week in Review (March 18, 2016)

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date March 18, 2016
No Comments on Week in Review (March 18, 2016)

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My birthday is Monday.

Continue reading “Week in Review (March 18, 2016)”

Tags Age, Beanie Sigel, Birthday, Fat, Fugees, Jadakiss, Jennifer Lopez, Jerry Lewis, Money, Old, Retirement, The Day the Clown Cried

Flashback Friday Flop

Flashback Friday Flop: “Blunted on Reality”

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date March 18, 2016
No Comments on Flashback Friday Flop: “Blunted on Reality”

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Welcome back to the latest edition of Flashback Friday Flop, a weekly feature in which I examine a hip-hop album from years ago that was considered a flop, either critically or commercially or both, when it was released and see if it has gotten better – or worse – over time.

**This week: Fugees’ Blunted on Reality (1994)**

One of the biggest albums of 1996 was The Score, the sophomore album from a New Jersey group by the name of Fugees. While they seemed to come out of nowhere, the trio of Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, and Pras had actually been around for several years and had already released a major label album to their name.

Continue reading “Flashback Friday Flop: “Blunted on Reality””

Tags Blunted on Reality, Fugees, Hip-Hop, Lauryn Hill, Pras, Rap, Wyclef

Hip-Hop Rankings

Ranking All 21 “Best Rap Album” Grammy Winners

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date February 22, 2016
No Comments on Ranking All 21 “Best Rap Album” Grammy Winners

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Much like the NBA, the Grammys have a complicated relationship with hip-hop. Decisions like Young MC’s “Bust a Move” winning over Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” have led many to believe that those who vote on the Grammys have no clue about real hip-hop.