Ready or not, here Pras‘ legal team comes — and Lauryn Hill can’t hide, she can’t run. Repurposed lyrics aside, there’s trouble in the world of the Fugees, as Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, one-third of the group alongside Hill and Wyclef Jean, has brought suit against Lauryn Hill and her MLH Touring company, alleging fraud, breach of contract and more.
In the suit, filed in Manhattan’s Federal District Court, Pras accuses Hill of misleading the other members of the group about the tour’s finances, rejecting an offer of $5M USD to perform at Coachella 2024 without notifying the other group members and trying to “ursup control” by taking ownership of the Fugees’ overall business.
Though the group is ’90s hip-hop royalty thanks to classics like “Ready or Not,” and Hill became a breakout solo star thanks to 1998’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” which took home five awards, including Album of the Year at the 1999 Grammy Awards, their recent history has been much more discordant.
Pras’ lawsuit states that when the group announced its first run of reunion dates in 2021 (which were eventually cancelled in 2022, with the group alluding to the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic) Hill tried to take over the group’s finances and filed for ownership of the Fugees’ trademark without informing the other group members. The suit also claims that when Hill recieved the advance for Fugees’ 2024 tour in 2023, she took 60% for herself and split the remaining 40% between Pras and Wyclef Jean, which violated the group’s longstanding — and legally agreed-upon — practice that all profits would be split evenly.
Pras also says Hill “forced [him] to accept onerous terms” on his touring contracts due to his legal jeopardy, which included ceding full control of the tour to Hill and MLH Touring. When the group reunited, Pras was fighting a court case of his own that began in 2019 in which he was indicted on federal charges for being part of a conspiracy that aimed to violate various campaign finance laws by pumping millions of dollars of foreign funds into the 2012 presidential election (he was convicted on those charges in 2023 and had his request for a new trial rejected earlier this year).
Shortly after news of Pras’ suit broke, Hill issued a lengthy public statement, which can be seen in full below. Wyclef Jean, for his part is not involved in the suit as a pursuant or defendant.
Some clarity and facts need to be presented. I’ve been silent and pushing through because I understood that Pras was under duress because of his legal battles and that this was perhaps affecting his judgment, state of mind and character.
Fact #1: This baseless lawsuit by Pras is full of false claims and unwarranted attacks. It notably omits that he was advanced overpayment for the last tour and has failed to repay substantial loans extended by myself as an act of goodwill. Last year’s tour was put together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. It was being planned whether the Fugees were involved or not.
Fact #2: The tour was expanded to incorporate the Fugees because I found out that Pras was in trouble and would need money to aid his legal defense.
Fact #3: Pras was given a $3M advance for the tour, which he said he required to pay his legal fees. Wyclef and Myself deferred our full advances to make sure he had what he needed and was able to go. I covered most of the tour expenses, as the majority of the tour advance had gone to Pras. An agreement was put in place to secure the repayment of the money he was advanced. Pras has not paid back the money he was advanced, and is currently in breach of this agreement.
Fact #4: Because my tour, band, production, and set up were already happening, the Fugees set utilized this same production. I absorbed most of the expenses myself, produced the show, put together the entire set (with Wyclef’s participation for the Fugees and Wyclef’s set). Pras basically just had to show up and perform.
Fact #5: As of the last tour Pras thanked me for ‘saving his life’. (I have the receipts.)
Fact #6: I am not in the business of kicking anyone, especially when they’re down, which is why I haven’t responded to date. It is absolutely disheartening to see Pras in this position, my band mate and someone I considered a friend but this leads us to Fact #7, which probably should have been Fact #1…
Fact #7: I was not in Pras’ life when he decided to make the unfortunate decision that lead to his current legal troubles. I did not advise that he make that decision and therefore am in no way responsible for his decision and its consequences though I have taken it upon myself to help. Despite his attacks, I am still compassionate and hope things work out for him.
Respectfully, MLH
Hill is set to tour Europe later this year, in a show billed as “Ms. Lauryn Hill and The Fugees.” Stay tuned for more info as it’s made available.
