Hip-hop group The Fugees have announced they are reuniting for their first live shows in 15 years, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their seminal album, The Score.
The trio – Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel – rose to fame in the 1990s – thanks to hit songs including Fu-Gee-La, Ready Or Not and their cover of Killing Me Softly, all from the album, which topped the Billboard 200 in the US and charted at number two in the UK.
Debuting in the early ’90s as Tranzlator Crew, the group eventually adopted the name Fugees, a shortened riff on “refugees” that referenced cousins Jean and Michel’s shared Haitian-immigrant heritage. Their first album Blunted On Reality was released in 1994, but it was The Score that made them a household name.
Despite only being together for five years and two albums before they split for the first time, The Fugees made a huge impact on hip-hop music in the 1990s and won two Grammy awards for The Score and Killing Me Softly. The Score went on to have estimated sales of more than 22 million worldwide, placing it among the best-selling albums of all time.
Following a break-up amid tensions in the band, all three musicians went on to have solo careers. Jean released his debut album Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival in 1997, while Hill and Michel followed in 1998, with The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill and Ghetto Supastar respectively.
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The trio reunited for Fugees gigs in 2004 and 2005, but later split again.
Announcing the reunion tour, which will include a UK show in London, Hill said: “The Fugees have a complex but impactful history. I wasn’t even aware the 25th anniversary had arrived until someone brought it to my attention.
“I decided to honour this significant project, its anniversary, and the fans who appreciated the music by creating a peaceful platform where we could unite, perform the music we loved, and set an example of reconciliation for the world.”
“As I celebrate 25 years with The Fugees, my first memory was that we vowed, from the gate, we would not just do music, we would be a movement,” said Jean. We would be a voice for the unheard – and in these challenging times, I am grateful once again, that God has brought us together.”
The Fugees will play a one-off gig in New York on Wednesday before the tour starts in Chicago on 2 November. They will play eight US dates in total before a show in Paris and then at the O2 in London on 6 December. The tour will finish with gigs in Nigeria and Ghana.
The Fugees’ charitable fund also plans to link up with Global Citizen for philanthropic efforts around the tour, the band have said.
Co-op Live’s general manager, Gary Roden, resigned yesterday following a series of problems and delays at the new venue.
Kay wrote: “To everybody with tickets, my apologies once again… I know I can’t believe it either.”
He added: “It’s very disappointing but your safety is important and I won’t compromise that.”
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The £365 million arena’s general manager announced his resignation after a slew of issues led to a delay in the opening of what will be the UK’s biggest indoor arena.
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In an X/Twitter post today, comedian Kay apologised to fans for the cancellations.
The 50-year-old Phoenix Nights star wrote: “To everybody with tickets, my apologies once again but unfortunately the Co-op Live still isn’t ready and so, as yet, remains untested for a large-scale audience.
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“Consequently, they are having to reschedule my two shows yet again (I know I can’t believe it either).”
Today it also emerged that The Black Keys gigs due to be at the venue this month have also been pushed back.
Headaches for Co-op Arena became patently clear after capacity for a test event last Saturday was reduced with just hours’ notice.
The arena announced on Monday that Kay’s performances would instead take place on 29 and 30 April, with Kay saying he was “truly gutted” by the delay but the comedy gigs will now move to 23 and 24 May 23.
He wrote: “Tickets will be transferred, or refunds given if the new dates aren’t suitable. It’s very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won’t compromise that.”
In a post on X/Twitter, Co-Op Live Arena said: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co- op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.
“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.”
The US rock band will now play at the venue on 15 May.
A spokesperson for the venue posted: “Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.
“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”
Over the weekend, a preview concert starring Rick Astley was also hit by delays, with ticket capacity slashed just hours before his gig was due to begin.
Astley fans who had their tickets cancelled have instead been offered seats to see US rock band the Black Keys play next week – but now that show has been cancelled.
Organisers said one problem in particular related to the power supply that was the cause of the cancellation.
A spokesperson said: “It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind.
“Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly. This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size.”
Once fully open, the arena next to Manchester City’s ground will have a capacity of 23,500, overtaking the size of the existing Manchester Arena which can hold 21,000 spectators.
Built at an estimated cost of £365m, the arena counts former One Direction singer Harry Styles as one of its investors, with the pop star also advising on some elements of the arena’s design.
Peter Kay has been on a comeback tour since December, appearing in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham – his first tour since 2010.
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Jack Whitehall says he’s been the victim of “outrageous shading” after the Prince of Wales described his jokes as “dad-like”.
The next in line to the throne was asked by a group of school kids to tell a “dad joke” – and responded by saying he was “channelling” the 35-year-old comedian.
On X, Whitehall quipped: “There goes my knighthood.”
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In a light-hearted, split-screen video, Whitehall reacted to the prince’s comments – but flattery after being name dropped turned to mock offence after William critiqued his jokes.
During the trip, William was asked to join children from St Michael’s Church of England School in Sandwell for the “dad joke” segment of their radio show.
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He said: “I’m trying to channel Jack Whitehall, because most of his jokes are pretty dad-like.
“I think what I’ll do is I’ll say a joke which is Charlotte’s favourite joke at the moment, she keeps telling me.”
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The royal began with “knock knock” – and when pupils replied “who’s there”, William said “interrupting cow”.
As the kids tried to ask “interrupting cow who?” he made them laugh by saying “moooooo” before they could finish the sentence.
Whitehall shook his head with disapproval while listening to the joke – but then picked up a notebook and scribbled it down, as if he planned to use it in a future set.
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Prince William surprises student
Whitehall – who welcomed his first child with his partner Roxy Horner last year – has written a Netflix special called Settle Down about becoming a father.
He is known for his sarcastic and self-deprecating stand-up comedy, starring in the sitcom Bad Education, and his long-running travel show with his father Michael.
Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger has been arrested following a three-day police manhunt for the actor, according to Australian media reports.
The 30-year-old was due to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday accused of assaulting a woman, Sky News Australia said.
The actor had been granted bail on Monday for a court-ordered hospital assessment and had been ordered to return to court the next day.
When he failed to show up – Victoria Police issued a warrant for his arrest and asked the public to help find him.
On Thursday night, Victoria Police confirmed Pledger had been found and arrested, ABC News and Sky News Australia reported.
He is facing four assault charges for allegedly assaulting a woman.
Pledger’s manager Craig McMahon told the Sydney Morning Herald he had not been in contact with his client this week but that he had been shocked by the assault allegations.