Pras Michel, a member of the legendary 1990s group The Fugees, has filed a lawsuit against his bandmate Lauryn Hill, accusing her of fraud and breach of contract following the cancellation of their 2023 reunion tour.
The lawsuit, filed on October 1 in Manhattan’s Southern District, claims that Hill mismanaged the group’s finances and sought to “take control” of its business operations and trademark.
Michel alleges that Hill turned down a $5 million offer for The Fugees—consisting of Michel, Hill, and Wyclef Jean—to perform at Coachella this year. He also cited Hill’s “chronic lateness” to performances and accused her of canceling the second half of the tour while defrauding and financially penalizing him.
“Ms. Hill took advantage of Mr. Michel’s legal vulnerability, coercing him into an unfair deal for The Fugees’ 2023 reunion tour,” Michel’s lawyer stated, referencing Michel’s legal issues from a 2023 conviction related to his role in funneling money from a billion-dollar Malaysian scam into U.S. politics.
Michel is seeking unspecified damages. In response, Hill called the claims “groundless” and said the lawsuit was filled with “false allegations and unjustified attacks.” She also noted that Michel had been overpaid from the previous tour and had not repaid loans given to him out of goodwill.
The lawsuit highlights growing tensions within The Fugees, famous for hits like “Killing Me Softly” and “Fu-Gee-La.” While Hill is set to embark on a European tour this fall under “Ms. Lauryn Hill & the Fugees,” Michel’s lawyer confirmed he will not be participating.
