The Fugees were an American music group, popular during the mid-1990s, whos… Read Full Bio ↴The Fugees were an American music group, popular during the mid-1990s, whose repertoire includes primarily hip hop, with elements of soul, and Caribbean music (particularly reggae). The members of the group are leader/rapper/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel. Both Jean and Michel are of Haitian heritage; Hill is an African American native of South Orange, New Jersey. Deriving their name from the term "refugee", the group is noted for the integration of soul and reggae into their work, and recorded three albums (Blunted on Reality (1994), The Score (1996) and Bootleg Versions (1996)) —one of which, The Score, was a multi-platinum and Grammy-winning success—before going their separate ways after 1997. Hill and Jean each went on to successful solo recording careers, while Michel focused mainly on soundtrack recordings and acting.

In September 2004, it was announced that the Fugees had settled their differences and were currently working on a new album. They appeared onstage together at an exclusive block party in New York City that month, hosted by Dave Chappelle. On June 28, 2005, they opened the BET awards with a surprise performance featuring several of their hit songs. One track, "Take It Easy", off their upcoming album was leaked online and eventually released as a single on the internet in September 2005. In February, 2006, a track was leaked titled "Foxy". Also, recently, one more track was leaked titled "Wannabe." But, according to Pras, the group has disbanded again, and the chances for another reunion seem very slim.

Mista Mista
Fugees Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mista mista
Can I get five dollars?
So I can get something to eat
"Hell no, motherfucker
You can't get no money from me
'Cause every time I give you a dollar
You go get shot up with more and more needles
And you tell me that you're drug free

Drug free"

Mista mista
I haven't ate anything for a week
Can I get a quarter?
"Hell no, motherfucker
What can a quarter get you?
Nothing, motherfucker
You are just fucked up
Off them fucked up drugs
You know you need to fucking leave alone
But you keep telling me that you're drug free
Motherfucker
You ain't drug free, you're a fiend
And every time I try to help you
You pretend as if it's okay
Then later on in the week
You go back to shootin' needles, to sniffin'
Oh motherfucker, but you told me you were drug free
Drug free

You ain't drug free, motherfucker
So you damn well, can't get no motherfucking money from me"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Fugees' "Mista Mista" depict a conversation between Wyclef Jean and a drug addict asking for money. Wyclef Jean's character is aware of the addict's patterns of taking the money and using it for drugs. The chorus begins with the addict requesting five dollars for food, and Wyclef Jean refusing due to his history of drug use and dishonesty regarding it. The addict denies using drugs and insists that he just needs money for food. The second verse is a continuation of this conversation, with the addict requesting a quarter this time. Wyclef Jean denies him again, calling him a "fiend" and expressing disappointment in the addict's dishonesty regarding his drug use.

Line by Line Meaning

Mista mista
The singer is addressing someone referred to as 'mista mista'

Can I get five dollars?
The person is asking for five dollars

So I can get something to eat
They claim it is to buy food

"Hell no, motherfucker You can't get no money from me 'Cause every time I give you a dollar You go get shot up with more and more needles And you tell me that you're drug free Drug free"
The artist refuses to give them money, citing the fact that they have given money before that was spent on drugs despite the person claiming to be drug-free.

Mista mista I haven't ate anything for a week Can I get a quarter?
The person is again asking for money, this time a quarter, stating that they haven't eaten in a week.

"Hell no, motherfucker What can a quarter get you? Nothing, motherfucker You are just fucked up Off them fucked up drugs You know you need to fucking leave alone But you keep telling me that you're drug free Motherfucker You ain't drug free, you're a fiend And every time I try to help you You pretend as if it's okay Then later on in the week You go back to shootin' needles, to sniffin' Oh motherfucker, but you told me you were drug free Drug free You ain't drug free, motherfucker So you damn well, can't get no motherfucking money from me"
The singer again refuses, this time taking a more aggressive tone, listing various examples of the person's addiction and their past failed attempts at helping. They conclude with the fact that since they are not drug-free, they won't be giving them any money.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Wyclef Jean

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS