The lyrical dexterity and social commentary provided a depth that few hip-hop groups could match at the time.

When Enya heard the song, she was initially on the verge of suing for copyright infringement because the sample had not been cleared. However, after realizing the Fugees weren't making "gangsta rap"—a genre she wished to avoid association with—she reached an out-of-court settlement. Enya was given a writing credit and reportedly received millions in royalties Global Impact and Legacy "Ready or Not" became a defining moment for 90s hip-hop: Fugees with the iconic 'Ready Or Not' live in 1996