The Grammy-winning hip-hop group The Fugees’ founding member Pras Michél has sued bandmate Lauryn Hill, citing her in court for alleged fraud and contract violations concerning their postponed 2024 tour and condensed 2023 tour.
The lawsuit claims that Hill mishandled the setup, marketing, and financial components of the 2023 tour. It was filed on Tuesday in the Southern District of New York. The complaint alleges that Hill stole money from the tour promises in order to benefit herself, calling her activities “a veiled and devious attempt to make a big score for herself.”
According to Variety, Pras also charges Hill of blocking an examination of the tour’s financial records, claiming that she withheld money that ought to have been distributed to the band. Fraud, fraud by inducement, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and failure to allow an audit of the trip are all included in the list of allegations made against Hill.
READ MORE: Low Ticket Sales Forced Lauryn Hill To Cancel The North American Fugees Reunion
“We filed a complaint for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract on behalf of Prakazrel ‘Pras’ Michel against Lauryn Hill and MLH Touring, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York this morning (Case 1:24-cv-07403). According to the lawsuit, Ms. Hill coerced Mr. Michel into signing an unjust contract for The Fugees’ 2023 reunion tour by taking advantage of his precarious legal condition. The tour was infamous for Ms. Hill’s habitual tardiness, with shows frequently beginning two or more hours late. In addition to penalizing and defrauding Mr. Michel monetarily, Hill canceled the second leg of the tour. We contend that Ms. Hill hid her intention to receive an excessive 60% of the tour’s earnings and lied about important financial details, leaving Mr. Michel with only 20% of the group’s normally divided one-third portion. The purpose of this lawsuit is to make Ms. Hill answerable and ensure that Mr. Michel receives justice. Michael won’t be playing at the upcoming Wyclef Jean and Hill “Fugees” European tour, which is when the lawsuit is about to start.
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Known for singles including “Killing Me Softly” and “Ready or Not,” The Fugees had previously got back together for their 2023 tour, but it was called off before it could really get going. The legal dispute now clouds one of the most recognizable hip-hop groups’ futures.
Ms. Lauryn Hill responds to The Source regarding Pras Michél’s lawsuit:
“Some facts and clarification are required. I have remained silent and persistent because I recognized that Pras was under pressure from his legal disputes, which may be impacting his decision-making, emotional state, and moral fiber.
Fact #1: Pras’s irrational complaint is chock-full of unfounded allegations and unjustified criticism. Notably, it leaves out that he received an advance payment in excess of what was required for the last trip and has neglected to reimburse large loans that I gave him out of kindness. The tour from the previous year was organized to commemorate The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’s 25th anniversary. Whether the Fugees were involved or not, it was still being prepared.
READ MORE: Lauryn Hill And The Fugees Will Resume The Miseducation Anniversary Tour
Fact #2: When I learned that Pras was having legal issues and would require funding for his defense, I decided to add the Fugees to the tour.
Fact #3: Pras claimed he needed the $3 million advance for the tour to cover his legal costs. Wyclef and I withheld our full advances so he could make sure he got what he needed and could leave. Since Pras had received the lion’s share of the tour advance, I paid for the majority of the tour costs. A deal was made to ensure that the money he was given would be reimbursed. Pras is currently in violation of this agreement because he has not returned the money that was advanced to him.
Fact #4: The Fugees set used this exact production because my tour, band, production, and set up were already in place. With Wyclef’s help for the Fugees and Wyclef’s set, I produced the show, covered the majority of the costs, and assembled the whole set. Pras essentially only needed to turn up and play.
Fact #5: Pras thanked me for “saving his life” at the end of the last tour. (The receipts are with me.)
Fact #6: I haven’t replied as of yet since I don’t like to kick people, especially when they’re down. Seeing Pras in this role—my bandmate and someone I thought of as a friend—is really depressing, but this brings us to Fact #7, which really ought to have been Fact #1.
Fact #7: Pras did not choose to involve me in his life at the time of the regrettable choice that resulted in his current legal issues. Although I have offered to assist, I am not accountable for his choice or its results because I did not counsel him to make that choice. I still have compassion for him in spite of his insults, and I hope things work out for him.”
With all due respect, MLH
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