Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, YG Marley, Erykah Badu, Fireboy Dml, et Giggs

Before her musical talents were unleashed onto the world, Lauryn Hill found moderate success as a young actress, starting alongside Whoopi Goldberg in the feature film “Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit”. However her career changed whilst attending Columbia High School, where she formed a hip-hop group with fellow student, Pras Michel, and his cousin Wyclef Jean, called “Tranzlator Crew” in 1992.

After gaining record label attention through live gigs and demo’s, the group was picked up by Columbia Records. They eventually released their debut album “Blunted On Reality” in 1994 under the now famous moniker of “The Fugees” (in reference to Michel and Jean’s Haitian heritage” Whilst the album struggled commercially and critically due to its “gangsta rap” direction, Hill, under her “L.Boogie” persona caught the attention of critics and fans alike.

When the group was given a second change by label execs, they did not disappoint, and their second album “The Score” was a smash hit, reaching number one on charts around the world, and certified six times platinum, whilst receiving the adulation of music critics for its alternative hip hop sound and politically charged focus. At the center of the groups success was Hill, with her smooth and recognizable singing voice and sharp rap lyrics often standing out on hit tracks such as “Ready or Not” or the Grammy winning “Killing me Softly”.

Following on from the breakout success of the Fugees, all the members decided to take a solo path. Lauryn finally gave the fans what they wanted with the release of her debut solo album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in 1998 an R&B project which featured tracks such as “Doo Wop (That Thing)” which touched on personal subjects such as her failed personal relationship with Wyclef Jean and the pressures of being a young single mother. The album made Hill a superstar, as it received universal acclaim, exceptionally high sales figures and an incredible five Grammy’s including “Best Album”, unprecedented for a Hip-Hop album in the 90’s.

Since her success and the international tour that followed, Hill has kept herself out of the public eye, citing the stress of being a celebrity too much to handle, and has instead focused on raising her six children. Despite her decision, many music fans around the world are hopeful for her much awaited comeback.

Though Jean was born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti and had lived in the country since he was nine, he spent most of his childhood and formative years as a musician in the United States. Jean cites reggae and Bigga Haitian as his earliest musical influences but since his move to the States he developed a love for hip-hop music.

One of Jean’s first professional musical endeavors and undeniably one of his most successful was the formation of the Fugees. The group formed in South Orange, New Jersey in the 80s, initially under the moniker Tranzlator Crew. During their assimilation to Ruffhouse and Columbia Records they altered their name to the Fugees and put out their studio debut “Blunted on Reality” a year later. This album did relatively well on the charts, but did not come close to achieving the success they reached with their sophomore release “The Score”. This album topped the US Billboard 200 and has since obtained Platinum status six times over. The Fugees disbanded in 1997 with only two albums under their belt, but left an indelible impression on both hip-hop and pop culture.

Jean was the first member of the Fugees to start a solo career and wasted no time in doing so. The year the group broke up he released his debut studio album “The Carnival”. The album contained over 73 minutes of material and featured guest spots from Lauryn Hill, Celia Cruz, John Forte, and even the Haitian politician/ former musician Michael Joseph Martelly. The album hosted the three singles “Guantanamera”, “Gone till November”, and “We Trying to Stay Alive” (the latter an ode to the Bee Gees). Additionally the album garnered praise from more underground critics like the Village Voice and excelled commercially, placing at No.16 on the US Billboard 200 and selling over 5 million copies since it’s release.

Jean’s next studio album also sported a hefty list of guest artists spanning from pioneering funk troupe Earth, Wind & Fire to actor/pro-wrestler Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock). His 3rd studio album “Masquerade” was issued on 18 July 2002 and out performed his previous two releases, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. Prior to the release of this album Wyclef suffered the loss of his father and pursued a career as an actor making an appearance in the film “Shottas” (a Jamaican gangster movie). These events (particularly the loss of his father) influenced the tone of “Masquerade” and contrary to his past works he included surprising reworking of songs by Bob Dylan and Frankie Valli and also included a guest spot for Tom Jones on his rendition of “Pussycat”.

Not even three albums into his career Jean issued a Greatest Hits compilation in 2003 and followed it up the same year with his studio LP “The Preacher’s Son” (an obvious self-reference as his father was a Nazarene pastor). Jean’s 5th studio album “Welcome to Haiti” marked a drastic alternation in style as every song was performed in a foreign language and was heavily influenced by Caribbean culture.

Jean’s sequel to his debut “Carnival Vol. II Memoirs of an Immigrant” was released at the close of 2007 and was chalked full of differing guest musicians: Serj Tankian, Shakira, Paul Simon, Mary J. Blige, Norah Jones, Lil Wayne, Akon etc...

Jean’s next full length release “From the Hut, to the Projects, to the Mansion” is a concept album based on the Haitian revolutionary “Toussaint L’Ouverture”. He followed up this album with yet another Haitian themed release “If I Were President: My Haitian Experience”. As the title suggests this recording is influenced by and coincided with Jean’s decision to run for president of Haiti.

Outside Jean’s solo career he is heavily involved in politics and charity work, particularly in regards to his home country Haiti. He has also established himself as a highly sought after songwriter and has composed material for Destiny Child, Sublime, Simply Red, Whitney Houston, Cypress Hill, Michael Jackson, Mya, Santana, Mick Jagger, and Sinead O’Connor among others.

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, US, Badu studied at a school of arts where she cultivated her musical abilities, growing up with a love for 70s soul and 80s hip hop. Her first break came whilst she was working as a teacher and part-time singer, when she opened for D'Angelo in 1994. Her performance caught the attention of D'Angelo's manager, Kedar Massenburg, who was so impressed that he signed her to his label, Kedar Entertainment, before then arranging for Badu to record a cover of Marvin Gaye and Tami Terrell's duet, "Precious Love."

Badu's debut album, "Baduizm," arrived in 1997, finding fans with her bass-heavy R&B and her emotive, delicate vocals. The album was produced by Massenburg and also featured members of the Roots on several tracks. Her first single, "On & On" topped the R&B charts, with the album also peaking at the top spot. The album also faired well in the mainstream pop charts, bolstered by high profile support slots with R&B stars as well as hip hop acts, including Wu Tang Clan.

She returned to the studio in 2000, recording her sophomore release, "Mama's Gun," which utilized the production talents of Badu herself, James Poyser, Bilal and Jay Dee, scoring a hit single with "Bag Lady." Badu followed "Mama's Gun" a year later with 2003's EP, "Worldwide Underground." Badu pushed her sound towards a heavier, more abstract neo-soul with 2008's "New Amerykah, Pt.!: 4th World War," which featured members of Sa-Ra and Georgia Anne Mulldrow. The album was a huge success, peaking at number two on the Billboard 200, with this stylistic move continuing with 2010's "New Amerykah, Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh," although being a more light-hearted affair. Following this release, Badu has featured on a number of recordings with various artists, including Bonobo, Tyler the Creator, and Flying Lotus.