Here’s Why Fugees Member Pras Michel Is Suing Lauryn Hill Over Touring Dispute
by Conor Murray · ForbesTopline
Rapper Pras Michel filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday against fellow Fugees member Lauryn Hill for fraud and breach of contract over an abruptly canceled reunion tour Michel says Hill had enlisted him for, knowing he needed the money as he faced legal troubles, to defraud him and enrich herself.
Key Facts
Michel filed a lawsuit Tuesday in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, blaming Hill for the “complete disintegration” of the Fugees’ efforts to reunite for concert tours in 2023 and 2024.
Michel alleged Hill reneged on the group’s previous “mutual understanding” that all Fugees profits would be split equally, instead insisting the group sign a contract for their 2023 tour that allegedly gave “all financial and creative control to Hill” and allowed her to “secretly grab 40% of the tour guarantees and profits ‘off the top’ for herself”” before providing Michel his share.
Michel said he was forced to accept “onerous terms” he would have otherwise rejected, alleging Hill took advantage of him while he was in need of money following his 2023 conviction on charges related to an international conspiracy led by Malaysian businessman Jho Low.
Michel also alleged a Fugees tour planned for the summer of 2024—which was abruptly canceled days before—failed because of “gross mismanagement by Hill,” whom he accused of taking too long to close a deal with tour promoter Live Nation, leaving insufficient time for marketing and leading to low ticket sales.
He also alleged Hill’s “ego” denied him a paycheck when Hill allegedly turned down a $5 million offer for the Fugees to perform at Coachella in April, which he says she did not inform him about and accused her of turning down because she did not want the group No Doubt to have top billing over the Fugees.
In the lawsuit, Michel repeatedly slams Hill for her alleged “betrayal” and “arrogance,” alleging she “tarnished the Fugees brand” for being habitually late to concerts.
Forbes has reached out to Hill’s representatives for comment.
What Happened To The Fugees’ Reunion Tours?
The Fugees seldom performed together following their breakout success in the 1990s, outside of several isolated shows and small tours, Michel stated in his lawsuit, but the group had planned to reunite for a tour in 2021 that was postponed multiple times because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour finally began in 2023, though Hill announced in November of that year that the second half of their tour had been canceled because of her “serious vocal strain,” which Michel says in his lawsuit was an “abrupt” and “unilateral” decision. The group set additional touring dates for the summer and fall of 2024, though the shows were canceled in August, just days before the tour was set to begin. Ticket holders were reportedly refunded but not informed of the reason for the tour’s cancellation. Hill said the tour was canceled because of low ticket sales, which she blamed on “clickbait headlines” about the cancellation of the group’s 2023 tour that she says made fans reluctant to buy tickets for future shows.
Key Background
Following the tour’s cancellation in August, Michel released a song that was interpreted to be a diss track against Hill, though he later denied it was a diss. “No one will remember: click bait beefs, how many Gucci bags you owned, bogus excuses,” Pras raps, claiming people will remember “if they could count on you, if you come on time,” which fans interpreted as a shot at Hill’s tendency to arrive late to shows. Michel later said the song was himself “speaking my truth,” not dissing Hill, though he said he understands why fans are disappointed by Hill’s history of arriving late to, or canceling, concerts.
Tangent
The financial woes Michel detailed in his lawsuit stemmed from the cost of lawyers who represented him as he faced a series of charges, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S., witness tampering and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. He was convicted in April 2023 and has not yet been sentenced, but faces up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors said Michel accepted millions of dollars from Low, including $865,000 that he allegedly funneled to former President Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign through straw donors.
Further Reading
Ex-Fugees rapper Pras Michel found guilty in scheme to help China influence US government (CNN)