July 30, 2007

WYCLEF: “Lauryn Is Straight Up The Problem”

[photo by Piotr Sikora]

In honor of the new issue of Scratch now being on stands (Pick it up, pick it up!), we thought we would let everyone in on a funny tidbit from the Wyclef interview. When our technology editor Paul Cantor interviewed ’Clef, he gave some interesting insight into why the Fugees reunion is now on hold. Namely, Lauryn wanted to act like a producer. Read for yourself:

What’s going on with the Fugees reunion, or lack there of?
WYCLEF: I’m officially Paul McCartney from the Beatles now. If the Fugees wanna come back, and Lauryn wanna come back…you can’t break the format. Don’t come back and be like, “I wanna produce a beat.” That’s like me saying I wanna sing an R&B vocal. When we was working on the album, I was like, [to Lauryn], “You need to do this like this.” [And] she says, “How do you know what’s relevant? I haven’t heard anything from you in the past like three, four years?” The minute she said that I was like, I gotta go back to working.

So what’s ultimately holding you guys back?
Lauryn is straight up the problem, bro. She wants to be a producer. Don’t come telling us how to chop up beats so you can get credit for it.

What makes you think she would take the credit?
We did a remix [with] Lauryn for John Legend, for the record “How High.” John Legend was saying our names. You know what she had [him] do? She was like, “Take off Wyclef and Jerry’s names.” Because she wanted people to think that she was the one doing the beat…I’m a producer and I’m a beatmaker with my cousin Jerry Wonder, and I’m a writer. She’s a writer, a vocalist, [and] a great [vocal] composer. And she’s great at picking out samples—she got 20 billion samples but can’t chop ’em up to save her life.

So she hasn’t made any of the beats she got credit for?
It’s real simple—if you did the beats, where are the beats? Show us one beat that you did. If you bring ’Clef to the studio, put an MP, put an SP, put a bunch of stuff, bring a bunch of cameras [and] say, “Clef, do a beat in two minutes.” The beat’s done! Bring Lauryn Hill in the studio with the same camera, say we give you three hours. Matter fact, fuck it, we’ll give you a month—do a beat. She can’t put it together!

PICK UP THE ISSUE FOR THE FULL STORY!
[click here to read another excerpt about making Carnival II]

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58 Responses to "WYCLEF: “Lauryn Is Straight Up The Problem”"

Jul.30 at 8:49 pm

dj priority says:
whoa!! Im beginning to believe all these crazy stories Im hearing about Lauryn.

Jul.30 at 10:49 pm

The Good ‘Ole Daze: Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop « MY GLOBAL HUSTLE BLOG says:
[…] CLICK 2 READ […]

Jul.30 at 11:09 pm

illRoots » Blog Archive » Track The Movement [7/31/07] says:
[…] Wyclef gets at Lauryn Hill hard in the new issue of Scratch. [Link] […]

Jul.30 at 11:29 pm

DivineJoy says:
I don’t believe you. She wrote and produced Unplugged. All natural flavor. Try that lie somewhere else. *going to delete from Myspace friends*

Jul.31 at 8:09 am

nation says:
yo there’s a problem with your text.. there’s a bunch of encrypted text or just random ’ instead of apostrophes

Jul.31 at 9:49 am

MissInfo.tv » The Gloves are Off: Wyclef blames Lauryn, calls her a beat-thief says:
[…] Brendan (Bfred) sent me a very interesting excerpt from his current issue of Scratch magazine….Wyclef speaks out on Lauryn Hill, but not about all the tales of diva-isms that I’ve gotten used to (i.e. demanding that nobody look at her or address her backstage, insisting that crewmembers address her as Miss Hill), or the stories of Lauryn’s onstage meltdowns. […]

Jul.31 at 10:37 am

Complex » Blog Archive » Rap Sheet: Wu-Tang Draws ‘8 Diagrams’ says:
[…] Killing them quickly: When Scratch asked Wyclef about the Fugees reunion, he said Lauren Hill is straight up the problem and that she can’t chop up beats for her life. [via] […]

Jul.31 at 10:47 am

Phil says:
This does not surprise me in the slightest. Lauryn has displayed a desire to be creative center of attention since “miseducation”. I understand the essence of collaboration and all that, but there also has to be a level of respect and compromise when you have a scenario like this one. I’m well-aware of lauryn’s talents with a TEAM of people behind the boards, but like ‘Clef said, if you want to MAKE beats, then MAKE them! I don’t see how lauryn has not found the time or resources to sit down and learn an MPC or SP or Fantom or whatever herself. I know producer doesn’t even have to be technical, but at least acknowledge the strengths of your proven team.

Jul.31 at 12:29 pm

Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! | Nude Hollywood says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 12:34 pm

Perez Hilton Celebrity Gossip » Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 12:36 pm

Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! at says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 12:37 pm

VibeDen » Blog Archive » Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 12:39 pm

Hollywood Bedroom » Blog Archive » Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 12:41 pm

Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! | Celebrity Gossip, Rumors and Scandals says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 12:48 pm

Celebrity Smack! Celebrity Gossip Blog and Entertainment News Site » Blog Archive » Wyclef Jean Talks About Fugees Reunion and One Messed Up Lauryn Hill says:
[…] Celebrity Divas, Celebrity Feuds, Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently notallowed. […]

Jul.31 at 12:49 pm

Celebrity Gossip » Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 1:00 pm

TheCelebritySpot » Blog Archive » Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 1:03 pm

klc.fi » Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 1:30 pm

Agora News » Blog Archive » Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 1:38 pm

CelebrityBarf.com - Celebrity News Gossip and Headlines says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 1:48 pm

CelebrityGossipSpot.com » Blog Archive » Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 2:08 pm

Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! | Celebrity fun and blog says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 2:09 pm

renee says:
So what Lauryn is trying to produce. Clef needs to stop cock-blocking and power-tripping. We all know the heavy-handed truth bout back in the day, Clef.

Jul.31 at 2:14 pm

Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! | Celebrity Hate says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Jul.31 at 2:40 pm

Jul.31 at 2:51 pm

Nya says:
She’s a Gemini, they cant commit and are all over the damn place- just an astroglogical p.o.v

Jul.31 at 4:05 pm

KZ says:
Umm has it occured to anyone that this “crazy” “problem” is the most succesful saling Fugee ever, who’s album got 5 grammy’s, If I was praz and Clef I would let my crazy lil friend do what ever the hell she wants, especially if i intend on making any kind of impact i made in the past, cause they best know they need that problem. Lauryn Hill, why cant we all have problems like that. Idiots better kiss her ass and let her run it, how easy we forget how Clef was the one to get the ego going first and how he put her on blast about a relationship that she obviously took serious and private, he’s an ass and I love him, but me like the rest of the world, will always have a special place in our hearts for lauryn, GET A CLUE CLEF

Jul.31 at 4:08 pm

Lauryn Hill Burns Bridge After Bridge / Stereohyped says:
[…] via YBF] » Post A Comment Tagged: Lauryn Hill · Fugees · Pras · Wyclef Related Posts • 07/20/07:Skid Row Superstar (Comments: 4) • 07/02/07: Lauryn Hill Explains Everything, Nothing (Comments: 0) • 06/29/07: Somewhere, Wyclef And Pras Are Shaking Their Heads In Dismay (Comments: 10) • 06/22/07: Last Night (Comments: 2) • 06/15/07: Parting Shots (Comments: 2) Comments (0) […]

Jul.31 at 4:21 pm

How Insane! » Blog Archive » Don’t expect a Fugees reunion any time soon! says:
[…] Wyclef is coming clean about his issues with Lauryn Hill, and it’s not pretty. The Miseducation songstress had been sued many times in the past (and lost) - for failing to give writing credit on her breakthrough solo album - and now her former bandmate is rubbing salt in her not fully healed wounds.Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. This is what he dished out about Lauryn Hill! Scratch: What’s going on with the Fugees reunion, or lack there of? WYCLEF: I’m officially Paul McCartney from the Beatles now. If the Fugees wanna come back, and Lauryn wanna come back…you can’t break the format. Don’t come back and be like, “I wanna produce a beat.” That’s like me saying I wanna sing an R&B vocal. When we was working on the album, I was like, [to Lauryn], “You need to do this like this.” [And] she says, “How do you know what’s relevant? I haven’t heard anything from you in the past like three, four years?” The minute she said that I was like, I gotta go back to working.So what’s ultimately holding you guys back? Lauryn is straight up the problem, bro. She wants to be a producer. Don’t come telling us how to chop up beats so you can get credit for it.What makes you think she would take the credit? We did a remix [with] Lauryn for John Legend, for the record “How High.” John Legend was saying our names. You know what she had [him] do? She was like, “Take off Wyclef and Jerry’s names.” Because she wanted people to think that she was the one doing the beat…I’m a producer and I’m a beatmaker with my cousin Jerry Wonder, and I’m a writer. She’s a writer, a vocalist, [and] a great [vocal] composer. And she’s great at picking out samples—she got 20 billion samples but can’t chop ’em up to save her life.So apparently she hasn’t made any of the beats she got credit for. […]

Jul.31 at 4:49 pm

Wyclef: “Lauryn can’t produce to save her life” « A Hot Mess! says:
[…] So she hasn’t made any of the beats she got credit for? It’s real simple, if you did the beats, where are the beats? Show us one beat that you did. If you bring ‘Clef to the studio, put an MP, put an SP, put a bunch of stuff, bring a bunch of cameras [and] say, “Clef, do a beat in two minutes.” The beat’s done! Bring Lauryn Hill in the studio with the same camera, say we give you three hours. Matter fact, fuck it, we’ll give you a month to do a beat. She can’t put it together! (Source) […]

Jul.31 at 4:52 pm

Gossip Rumors » Wyclef: “Lauryn can’t produce to save her life” says:
[…] So she hasn’t made any of the beats she got credit for? It’s real simple, if you did the beats, where are the beats? Show us one beat that you did. If you bring ‘Clef to the studio, put an MP, put an SP, put a bunch of stuff, bring a bunch of cameras [and] say, “Clef, do a beat in two minutes.” The beat’s done! Bring Lauryn Hill in the studio with the same camera, say we give you three hours. Matter fact, fuck it, we’ll give you a month to do a beat. She can’t put it together! (Source) […]

Jul.31 at 5:09 pm

Hip Hop Rumors » Wyclef: “Lauryn can’t produce to save her life” says:
[…] So she hasn’t made any of the beats she got credit for? It’s real simple, if you did the beats, where are the beats? Show us one beat that you did. If you bring ‘Clef to the studio, put an MP, put an SP, put a bunch of stuff, bring a bunch of cameras [and] say, “Clef, do a beat in two minutes.” The beat’s done! Bring Lauryn Hill in the studio with the same camera, say we give you three hours. Matter fact, fuck it, we’ll give you a month to do a beat. She can’t put it together! (Source) […]

Jul.31 at 5:30 pm

Further insight into the breakdown of Lauryn Hill says:
[…] source Tags:lauryn hill, the fugees, wyclef jeanShare This […]

Jul.31 at 5:59 pm

The Juicy Dirt » Blog Archive » So Much for the Fugees Reunion says:
[…] If you happen to be hoping for a Fugees reunion, I’m betting you’ll need to take a couple Prozac and call me in the morning, because after this interview, I don’t see it happening. Adding fuel to the fire that Lauryn Hill is R&B’s version of a batshit Britney, Wyclef Jean accuses her of taking credit for producing things she doesn’t know how to produce. […]

Jul.31 at 7:09 pm

» Blog Archive » "Lauryn Hill Is Straight Up The Problem" - No Fugee Reunion says:
[…] So she hasn’t made any of the beats she got credit for? It’s real simple—if you did the beats, where are the beats? Show us one beat that you did. If you bring ’Clef to the studio, put an MP, put an SP, put a bunch of stuff, bring a bunch of cameras [and] say, “Clef, do a beat in two minutes.” The beat’s done! Bring Lauryn Hill in the studio with the same camera, say we give you three hours. Matter fact, [bleep] it, we’ll give you a month—do a beat. She can’t put it together! [Source] […]

Jul.31 at 8:51 pm

FUGEES NOUNION « BOY MEETS BLOG says:
[…] 31, 2007 FUGEES NOUNION Posted by mrod under Hip Hop , Music Wondering why that Fugees reunion ain’thappening? Blame Lauryn. […]

Jul.31 at 8:57 pm

ironrap says:
[…] Read all about it in Scratch […]

Jul.31 at 10:43 pm

LAURYN DOWNHILL « LIFE.CAMERA.BLOG. says:
[…] July 2007 LAURYN DOWNHILL Posted by sngk under Hip Hop , Randomness , Updates , Music Well, I guess I’ve lostrespect for Lauryn Hill after reading this magazine article. Granted, it may be biased (since the interviewee is Wyclef), but somehow I doubt he’s the kind of deceptive person. She’s a diva. […]

Aug.1 at 12:34 am

cordealia says:
CLEF Talks like a straight-up Female. A Catty female at that. Clef shut up, stop flapping ur gums for once and stop complaining about Lauren in the media. Besides, don’t u have ur beats to “Make?” What a foolish man. Laurn may have issues, but she’ll overcome. Clef on the other hand has always been and will always be SHADY.

Aug.1 at 12:42 am

headbobberz says:
funny how tthe definition of “producer” has changed… the guys producing at Motown weren’t playing anything or engineering. If Lauryn comes up with a sample idea and tells Cleff how to build a beat with it, then I think that makes him a “programmer” and her a producer. Any no talent nerd can learn how to operate an MP. Everything he does is a sample, a cover song or an interpolation.

Aug.1 at 2:05 am

Hot Chocoolatte says:
[…] So she hasn’t made any of the beats she got credit for? It’s real simple, if you did the beats, where are the beats? Show us one beat that you did. If you bring ‘Clef to the studio, put an MP, put an SP, put a bunch of stuff, bring a bunch of cameras [and] say, “Clef, do a beat in two minutes.” The beat’s done! Bring Lauryn Hill in the studio with the same camera, say we give you three hours. Matter fact, fuck it, we’ll give you a month to do a beat. She can’t put it together! (Source) […]

Aug.1 at 9:12 am

princessdominique says:
I miss them. Folks always want to run things.

Aug.1 at 3:12 pm

Wyclef Says Lauryn Is Straight Up The Problem | MusiciansEntourage.com says:
[…] Scratch Magazine Full Article […]

Aug.1 at 10:15 pm

Hip-Hop and Rap Music Blog says:
[…] Source […]

Aug.1 at 10:19 pm

Wyclef Jean: “Lauryn Is Straight Up The Problem” » Hip-Hop and Rap Music Blog says:
[…] Source […]

Aug.1 at 10:27 pm

Wyclef Jean on a Fugees reunion :”Lauryn is straight up the problem!” | RnB Hip Hop Music.com says:
[…] Source Thank you for reading this post. You can nowLeave A Comment (0) or Leave A Trackback. […]

Aug.2 at 12:14 am

addicto | 07.26.07 « says:
[…] Lauryn Hill: Crazy? … Wyclef Slams Ex-Fugee … ‘A Straight-Up Problem, Bro’ […]

Aug.2 at 10:01 am

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill » It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye… says:
[…] It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye… Marc Lamont Hill @ 11:01 am If you are one of the people still holding out hope that the Fugees will reunite and make another great album, here’s more bad news. In a recent interview with Scratch Magazine, Wyclef said the following: […]

Aug.2 at 2:15 pm

Thursday’s Line « The 730 says:
[…] Wyclef says Lauryn Hill is the reason there hasn’t been a Fugees reunion. […]

Aug.2 at 2:17 pm

Slowtimer - Easy to See says:
[…] Two other music items: have you been following the Wyclef/Lauryn debacle? They say all press is good press, but I would rather have a glorious head-shaving breakdown than be accused of plagiarism. Also, Urb Magazine is claiming that Ghostface definitely has a role in the new Iron Man movie. So what if their source is intoxicated? If Urb says it is true then I, for one, believe them. […]

Aug.2 at 2:21 pm

Celebrity News and Gossip » Blog Archive » Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Aug.6 at 2:28 am

Buckets says:
Damn that really sucks. I think we’ve all heard that Lauryn’s got issues but now with Clef getting at her in this way we’d better just remember the Fugees for The Score and the appriciated what they gave music. “It’s funny how money changes situations/ miscommunication leads to complications”

Aug.9 at 10:10 am

Omar says:
i think it was for tha best anyway b/c they wouldn’t have topped The Score and critics would start the “Fugees Fell Off” campaign…just dust the classic stuff off and turn it up…myspace.com/namebrand247

Aug.13 at 2:52 pm

MZ9000 says:
Hey ‘clef I think that u should let her get down on some beats and let her do her thing sometimes. I’m not saying making her the main producer i’m just say let her do what she wants. Knuuwhaddduimsayin!

Aug.14 at 1:37 pm

DJREMEX says:
DAM I WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT THIS OH LAURYN. THE GIRL HAS MAD TALENT. IF WAT CLEF SAYS ITS TRUE THEN I SEE Y HE’S MAD. AND FOR THE RECORD NOT ANY NERD CAN USE A MPC. IT’S TAKES MUSICAL TALENT TO CHOP, MIX DUB, SAMPLE RIGHT. SO IF U WANT TO CALL IT AN ENGINEER NOT PRODUCER SO B IT, BUT THE MATTER OF FACT IT TAKES SKILL TO SEQUENCE MIX AND WAT EVA. I JUST HOPE THEY PULL ASIDE THEIR DIFFERENCES ME MAKE GOOD MUSIC AGAIN.

Aug.14 at 5:52 pm

Ebonie Smith says:
I just wrote my entire senior thesis at Columbia University on female hip hop producers and how much shit they have to go through to be respected for their work. If this information is accurate about Lauryn, I certainly understand Wyclef wanting to perserve the formula that has worked for the Fugees for so long. However, I find it hard to believe that “Lauryn Hill” can’t chop up a sample (especially when hardware as tight as the MPC makes the job so simple). As a female producer, I think that it is hard to ask such an incredible artist like Lauryn to “know her place”. I think that she has outgrown the role of the delicate songstress and should at least be given an opportunity to prove herself in different ways. But if in fact she can’t chop a sample, guys don’t get too comfortable. Check my myspace (/smithncompany) to hear a woman who can!

Aug.19 at 1:20 am

Lauryn Hill Is A Song Thief! And A Bitch!!! at MyQaeda Celebrity Fashion Blog says:
[…] Wyclef was interviewed in the new issue of Scratch magazine. […]

Aug.23 at 12:30 pm

aaron says:
I read the article and I am really understanding what clef is saying..People need to stop trying to take credit for what others do..She was sued for this by producers from her hot ass first album..Ms.Hill please just go in the studio and make another fugee album..We miss ya!

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