Lauryn Hill is being sued by her Fugees co-member Pras Michél in relation to a cancelled reunion tour that had been due to take place through late 2023 into 2024.
Michél’s lawsuit claims that Hill’s “arrogance” and “narcissistic tendencies” played a part in the failure of the tour and he is now seeking damages having accused her of fraud and breach of contract.
The lawsuit, which was filed in New York, goes on to claim that the planned tour would have been “a huge commercial success” as shown by advance sales, but Hill allegedly controlled the tour budget which was “bloated with unnecessary and, most likely, fictitious expenses”. It adds that the tour was a “veiled and devious” attempt by Hill to make money for herself.
The complaint also claims that the trio, who are rounded out by Wyclef Jean, had been offered $5m to play US festival Coachella but Hill turned it down when she realised they would not be at the top of the bill.
“Hill’s arrogance was again demonstrated when she unilaterally rejected a $5m offer [to play Coachella],” the lawsuit reads. “The reason was that her ego was bruised since the group No Doubt would be receiving top billing over the Fugees the night of their show. Hill never told Pras about the offer or that she had rejected it. Pras only learned about it when it was too late, after Hill, in an astonishing display of hubris, asked Pras if he would agree to perform a few Fugees songs for free as the opening act for her son, YG Marley, who was slated to perform at the same Coachella festival.”
Michél additionally claims that Hill put forward the trio’s reunion as her solo tour had failed and she needed the other two members to increase ticket sales. The lawsuit claims she “realised that the only chance for her to perform at arena size venues and feed her insatiable ego would be to reunite”.
Michél was found guilty last year of illegal lobbying in the US after he channelled funds from a Malaysian financier to Barack Obama’s 2012 election campaign, and he is now in significant financial trouble due to that verdict.
Responding to Michél’s complaint, Hill said in a statement: “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.
“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 defence. 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.
“I was not in Pras’ life when he decided to make the unfortunate decision that led 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.”
Some of the earliest date of the trio’s reunion tour were postponed due to Hill’s “serious vocal strain”. Further plans for a series of 2024 shows were ultimately abandoned due to “gross mismanagement”.
