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The Fugees, are now at the center of a brewing legal storm.
Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, a key member of the group alongside Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, has filed a lawsuit against Hill, accusing her and her company, MLH Touring, of fraud, breach of contract, and financial misconduct.
The allegations stem from the handling of the group’s recent reunion tour, specifically claims that Hill mismanaged funds and excluded the other members from key decisions.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan’s Federal District Court, accuses Hill of concealing vital financial details, including a $5 million offer to perform at Coachella 2024, which Pras and Wyclef Jean were allegedly never informed of.
Pras also claims that Hill attempted to seize control of the Fugees’ business operations, going so far as to file for ownership of the group’s trademark without consulting her bandmates.
While the Fugees once ruled the charts with classics like “Ready or Not” and catapulted Hill to superstardom with her Grammy-winning album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, their recent history has been marked by disarray.
The group’s much-anticipated reunion tour, announced in 2021 to celebrate The Score’s 25th anniversary, was abruptly canceled in 2022, with the pandemic cited as a factor.
Pras, however, suggests a different story—that Hill took advantage of his ongoing legal troubles to restructure the tour in her favor, unfairly splitting the advance payment and giving herself a 60% cut, while the remaining 40% was divided between Pras and Wyclef.
Also, Pras has been entangled in a high-profile legal battle of his own, convicted in 2023 for conspiring to funnel foreign funds into the 2012 U.S. presidential election.
According to the lawsuit, Hill used his vulnerable position to pressure him into signing unfavorable contracts, granting her full control over the tour.
Lauryn Hill, however, has responded swiftly to the allegations, issuing a public statement that directly challenges Pras’ claims.
Hill emphasizes that she went out of her way to support Pras during his legal troubles, even deferring her own payments to ensure he had the resources needed for his defense.
Hill’s response outlined several key points:
- She claims Pras was advanced a $3 million payment for the 2024 tour, money that was primarily used for his legal expenses.
- According to Hill, the majority of the tour’s expenses were covered by her, with Pras merely showing up to perform.
- Hill maintains that the 2024 tour was originally planned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, with or without the Fugees, and it was only expanded to include the group to help Pras financially.
In her statement, Hill expressed disappointment over the lawsuit, stating,
It is absolutely disheartening to see Pras in this position.”
Hill
She further emphasized her past efforts to assist him, even hinting that the lawsuit may stem from the strain of his legal woes.
With Pras and Hill now embroiled in a bitter legal battle, the future of their once-revered partnership hangs in the balance.
While Wyclef Jean has not been named in the suit, the case could have lasting implications for the group’s legacy, as fans watch with bated breath to see how this feud unfolds.
Hill was in Kenya, Sunday, performing at the Walker Town Festival.
