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Lauryn Hill Calls Out Pras For “Baseless Attacks” In Fugees Lawsuit

October 2, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Fugees may have always had musical harmony, but the group has rarely been harmonious offstage. They are one of the most troubled acts in hip hop, and this reputation continued to gain traction on the first of October. Pras decided to file a lawsuit against band member Lauryn Hill after Fugees tour dates were canceled. According to Variety, Pras is suing Hill over fraud and breach of contract due to the fact that the singer keeps delaying shows. Hill responded hours later, and made it clear that she is going to tolerate these accusations.

Lauryn Hill issued a lengthy response on her Instagram. The singer claimed that Pras has been under duress as of late, and she felt that said duress may be affecting his judgement. From there, Hill goes on a detailed breakdown of the accusations leveled at her. She dismisses Pras’ lawsuit for being filled with “false claims” and “baseless attacks.” She also claims that she gave Pras a sizable advance ahead of their 2023 tour dates, which he has yet to pay back. Lauryn Hill noted that the strength of her name is what led to the tour in the first place. Without her involvement, she posits, a Fugees reunion would not have garnered nearly as many ticket sales.

Lauryn Hill Claims She Gave Pras A $3 Million Advance

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A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

“[Pras’] failure to show appreciation,” the statement read. “For the financial help Ms. Hill has afforded him in his time of need is disappointing.” Lauryn Hill also noted that the tour dates listed in the lawsuit were being planned regardless. They would have occurred with or without Pras’ involvement. To make Hill’s claims even more damning, she revealed that she and fellow member Wyclef Jean deferred their advances to ensure Pras would have financial compensation. Hill made additional allusions to the bad decisions Pras has made since the group originally split.

“I was not in Pras’ life,” Lauryn Hill concluded. “When he decided to make the unfortunate decisions that led to his current legal troubles.” The singer claimed she initially wanted to stay quiet in an effort to avoid drama. Now that a lawsuit has been filed, however, the gloves are off. “[I] am in no way responsible for his decision,” the singer noted. “And its consequences.” Hopefully the Fugees members comes to a peaceful resolution.

[via]

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Ms. Lauryn Hill Issues a Response to Pras Michél Accusing Her of Fraud in Lawsuit

October 1, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ms. Lauryn Hill Extends 'Miseducation' 25th Anniversary Tour

Pras Michél, a founding member of the Grammy-winning hip-hop group The Fugees, has filed a lawsuit against bandmate Lauryn Hill, accusing her of fraud and breach of contract related to their shortened 2023 tour and a canceled 2024 tour.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Southern District of New York, alleges that Hill mismanaged various aspects of the 2023 tour, including its setup, marketing, and budget. According to the complaint, Hill’s actions were “a veiled and devious attempt to make a big score for herself,” with claims that she siphoned money from the tour guarantees for personal gain.

Variety reports that Pras also accuses Hill of preventing an audit of the tour’s finances, alleging that she withheld funds that should have been shared among the band. The full list of claims against Hill includes fraud, fraud in the inducement, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and refusal to permit an audit of the tour.

The Fugees, known for hits like “Killing Me Softly” and “Ready or Not,” had previously reunited for their 2023 tour, which was cut short before it fully launched. The legal battle now casts uncertainty over the future of one of hip-hop’s most iconic groups.

“This morning, we filed a complaint for Prakazrel ‘Pras’ Michel against Lauryn Hill and MLH Touring, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case 1:24-cv-07403) for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. The lawsuit alleges that Ms. Hill exploited Mr. Michel’s vulnerable legal situation, manipulating him into an unfair agreement for The Fugees’ 2023 reunion tour. Ms. Hill’s chronic tardiness was a hallmark of the tour, with shows routinely starting two or more hours late. Hill cancelled the second half of the tour and, at the same time, financially penalized and defrauded Mr. Michel. We assert that Ms. Hill misrepresented critical financial information and concealed her intent to take an excessive 60% share of the tour’s proceeds, leaving Mr. Michel with only 20% instead of the group’s customary one-third split. This legal action aims to hold Ms. Hill accountable and secure justice for Mr. Michel. The lawsuit comes on the cusp of the “Fugees” European tour by Hill and Wyclef Jean, at which Michael will not be performing.”

– Robert S. Meloni, Meloni & McCaffrey

In response to The Source, Ms. Lauryn Hill addresses Pras Michél’s lawsuit:

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

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Pras Michel Accuses Lauryn Hill Of Fraud In New Lawsuit

October 1, 2024 by newhiphopnews

If the relationship between the members of the Fugees wasn’t already inconsistent enough, things just got a whole lot more complicated. According to a new report from Billboard (Via Uproxx), Pras Michel is filing a lawsuit against the de-facto leader of the New Jersey outfit, Ms. Lauryn Hill, for a “devious” fraud scheme. His lawyers sent the legal documents to a federal court in Manhattan Tuesday. Essentially, Pras and his legal team are saying Hill convinced her bandmate to come on the 2023 reunion tour ultimately for mostly her benefit. It also brings 2024 trek into the picture, the one that was subject to “gross mismanagement”, according to Pras’ lawyers.

The documents say that she lied about how she was going to make. Instead of splitting it equally into thirds, she was going to rake in 40 percent of the gross. Additionally, Pras alleges that the payment was much less than expected due to “bloated” production costs and because of the tour ending sooner. Furthermore, he says that Hill told Live Nation, himself, and Wyclef Jean that they agreed to extend the tour to make an extra $1 million. But she supposedly kept all of that to herself. Finally, he says she turned down $5 million from Coachella to avoid letting Pras pay off his debt.

Pras Is Taking Things To Court With Lauryn Hill

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: (C) Pras Michel, (R) Lauryn Hill and (L) Wyclef Jean perform at Oakland Arena on November 07, 2023 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images)

That stems from his massive number of federal charges back in 2019. Back then, he was charged with 10 counts including conspiracy, witness tampering and failing to register as a foreign agent. This was all in relation to getting money from a Malaysian financier to aid in Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign. Overall, his lawyers are not holding anything back against Hill, as they say, “While the contractual advance paid to Pras enabled him to retain his new criminal lawyers, the 2023 tour agreement was a wolf in sheep’s clothing”.

What are your thoughts on Pras Michel suing Lauryn Hill for fraud? Are you surprised that he’s going after her in this fashion, why or why not? Do you think this could lead to the end of the Fugees for good? How do you see this playing out? How will this affect them touring together? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Pras Michel, Lauryn Hill, and the Fugees. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the world of music.

[Via] [Via]

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Lauryn Hill Is Accused Of Fraud In A Lawsuit From Fugees Bandmate Pras Michel

October 1, 2024 by newhiphopnews

fugees lauryn hill pras.jpg — Getty Image

The messy history of pioneering New Jersey hip-hop trio Fugees has just gotten messier. In the wake of a string of canceled reunion tours and Pras Michel’s conviction for money laundering, Pras has filed a lawsuit against Lauryn Hill, accusing his bandmate of fraud. According to Billboard, Pras’ lawyers filed the lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, alleging that Hill used his legal trouble and resultant expenses to get him to sign onto the reunion tour, which was eventually canceled due to “gross mismanagement” by Hill’s touring company.

Pras says that Hill lied about how much she would be paid in comparison to her bandmates, secretly taking 40 percent of revenue from the gross before paying the one-third split between the three Fugees. Meanwhile, that revenue was much less than expected due to “bloated” production costs and its abrupt, premature end — which Pras blames on Hill’s company taking too long to negotiate splits with Live Nation, the tour sponsor. He says she also told Live Nation Pras and Wyclef Jean had agreed to extend the tour in order to garner a $1 million advance, which she kept for herself. She also turned down $5 million from Coachella because No Doubt would have received higher booking, denying Pras the opportunity to pay off his legal fees.

As such, the lawsuit demands full accounting of the tour, and specifically alleges breach of contract on Hill’s part and fraud in both her inducing Michel to sign onto the tour and how she paid out from the revenue.

“Hill’s ploy to appear to be Michel’s supposed savior was actually a devious attempt to make a big score for herself by generating millions of dollars from a Fugees tour,” his lawyers write. “In the process, it did not matter to Hill if she took full advantage of Michel’s vulnerability – her friend and creative partner of over 30 years. In fact, she counted on exploiting that vulnerability to carry out her scheme.”

A Judge Has Reportedly Denied Pras Michel’s Request For A New Money Laundering Trial

September 3, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Pras Michel The Fugees Private After Party 2023 (1024x437) — Getty Image

In April, Pras (real name Prakazrel Michel) was found guilty of 10 counts related to his money laundering case (which included conspiracy to defraud the U.S., witness tampering and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government). The Fugees member accused of making a false statements and records after surrounding contributions to Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign (allegedly on behalf of Malaysian businessman Jho Low.)

Despite the conviction, Pras hasn’t given up hope. Given that he could face up to 20 years in prison, the producer held out hope for a legal Hail Mary. Pras supposedly filed a motion to have a new trial, stating inadequate representation. However, according HipHopDX, the judge has denied Pras’ request.

On August 30, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly requested the motion (viewable here) citing insufficient prejudice.

“Because [Pras] Michel has not shown sufficient prejudice resulting from the defense team’s use of the AI program (and the subsequent inclusion of Puff Daddy lyrics),” read the response. “The Court concludes that Michel has not demonstrated ineffective assistance of counsel on this basis.”

In Pras’ paperwork, he argued that his former attorney’s use of generative AI during closing statements or as the paperwork referred to as “the single most important portion” of his defense failed to wrap up their case neatly.

According to reports, Pras’ former defensive attorney David Kenner has pled guilty to leaking evidence of the case to the media.

WATCH: Lauryn Hill Performs at Her High School Reunion

August 29, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Lauryn Hill won’t be on stages nationwide, but she performed at her high school reunion. Hill performed at the Columbia High School reunion in Maplewood, New Jersey earlier this month. According to Billboard, her list featured “Ex-Factor” and “Ready or Not.”

You can see clips of the performance below.

@donnastewartshe

#laurynhill #highschoolreunion This was epic! Impromptu concert!!

♬ original sound – Donna Stewart Schiele

Also this month, Pras Michél is dissing Ms. Lauryn Hill on a new track shared on AllHipHop. The new single, titled “Bar Mitzfa,” finds Pras sending shots, less than a week after he blamed Hill for the cancellation of the Fugees tour.

“Don’t blame me, blame her/She made the mess/Not another f*ckin’ penny, what I told ‘Clef,” Pras raps.

Pras from the Fugees takes shots at Lauryn Hill in his new track titled ‘Bar Mitzfa’.

“Don’t blame me, blame her, she made all the mess. I don’t want another f*cking penny is what I told Wyclef” pic.twitter.com/arPX8twju2

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) August 13, 2024

The much-anticipated Fugees reunion tour has been canceled, and now Pras Michel is pointing fingers at his bandmate, Lauryn Hill, for the decision. Pras seemed to place the blame squarely on Hill, suggesting that he had been protecting her reputation for years. “I saved her reputation for 20 years by not telling my side of the story, but oops … cat’s out the bag,” Pras remarked, leaving fans to speculate about the tensions that may have led to the tour’s downfall.

Fans were shocked to see Pras throw HIll under the bus in the interview with TMZ. The Fugees’ U.S. tour, which was set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, was highly anticipated, with fans eager to see the iconic trio—Hill, Pras, and Wyclef Jean—back on stage together. However, the tour was suddenly scrapped earlier this week, with no initial explanation given.

Lauryn Hill, breaking her silence on the matter, took to Instagram to address the cancellation. In a lengthy post, she appeared to suggest that the decision was influenced by low ticket sales, which she attributed to media sensationalism. Hill wrote, “With difficulty, the decision was made to pull down our upcoming North American tour dates. The shows in the UK and Europe ARE MOVING FORWARD as planned.”

She went on to explain that a previous injury had forced her to reschedule some shows last year, which she believes contributed to negative media narratives that ultimately affected ticket sales for the U.S. leg of the tour. “Regrettably, some media outlet’s penchant for sensationalism and clickbait headlines have seemingly created a narrative that has affected ticket sales for the North American portion of the tour,” Hill stated.

Despite the disappointment, Hill emphasized her commitment to her art and her deep connection with her fans. “Performing for my fans is a profound exchange of energy and emotion that excites me every time,” she said. “Every show is a piece of my expression and testament to our connection and shared love for music. I can assure you that no one is more disappointed about not being able to perform than I am.”

Hill concluded her message by expressing gratitude to her supporters and promising to return to the stage in North America once the circumstances are resolved. She reassured fans that the upcoming shows in the UK and Europe will proceed as planned in October.

The abrupt cancellation of the U.S. tour and the public rift between Pras and Hill have left many Fugees fans disheartened. The Fugees, known for their groundbreaking contributions to hip-hop and R&B in the 1990s, have long been admired for their chemistry and musical innovation. However, the latest developments suggest that internal conflicts may have strained their relationship to a breaking point.

As fans await further updates, the future of the Fugees remains uncertain. For now, the group’s European and UK fans can look forward to seeing them perform later this year, while North American fans will have to wait for the possibility of rescheduled dates.

The post WATCH: Lauryn Hill Performs at Her High School Reunion first appeared on The Source.

The post WATCH: Lauryn Hill Performs at Her High School Reunion appeared first on The Source.

Lauryn Hill’s Surprise Show At High School Reunion Grinds The Gears Of Fans

August 27, 2024 by newhiphopnews

There seems to be a little bit of a divide in the Fugees camp and most of the blame is falling on Lauryn Hill. That’s at least what the iconic rapper and singer feels is the case, according to past quotes from her Instagram. “Some media outlet’s penchant for sensationalism and clickbait headlines have seemingly created a narrative that has affected ticket sales for the North American portion of the tour”. That’s what she feels led to her ultimately having to cancel the reunion tour in the states. Her making last minute changes to performances is nothing new, although past injuries have been a consistent sidelining factor. Still, it’s been a constant theme and fellow band mate Pras has taken notice of it as well.

In fact, he was even dissing Lauryn Hill on an unreleased song not too long ago. However, he claims it had nothing to do with her, the timing of it certainly would suggest otherwise. Pras also has been feeling the Fugees fans’ sadness and disappointment. “They are paying their hard-earned money to see you. We’re going on almost three decades of our existence, individually and as a group. To have people still interested in wanting to come see you, man, you have to be grateful”.

Lauryn Hill Gives Her Old High School A Night To Remember

Lauryn Hill does a surprise mini concert at her high school reunion. pic.twitter.com/Y3j4RTPs1I

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) August 26, 2024

If Pras wasn’t dissing Lauryn Hill on “Bar Mitzva”, he might be speaking out soon against her for real once he sees this video. According to a tweet from The Art Of Dialogue and an article from HipHopDX, Hill was recorded giving an impromptu show at her high school’s reunion. Specifically, the free medley show took place at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey. She performed hits from her solo catalog and Fugees classics like “Ready or Not”, even altering the lyrics to show love to her alma mater. “CHS taking over / Buffalo soldier / Dreadlock Rasta“. Fans were quite upset about seeing this footage, as they are calling her out for performing at the wrong reunion. “She showed up a year late and sang to the wrong reunion”, one X user half jokes.

What are your thoughts on Lauryn Hill performing at her old high school for a surprise performance? Do you think Pras will have something to say about this impromptu show? Is this a bad look for Lauryn, why or why not? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Lauryn Hill. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

[Via] [Via]

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Pras Michel Disses Lauryn Hill on New Single “Bar Mitzfa”: ‘She Made the Mess’

August 14, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Pras Michél is dissing Ms. Lauryn Hill on a new track shared on AllHipHop. The new single, titled “Bar Mitzfa,” finds Pras sending shots, less than a week after he blamed Hill for the cancellation of the Fugees tour.

“Don’t blame me, blame her/She made the mess/Not another f*ckin’ penny, what I told ‘Clef,” Pras raps.

Pras from the Fugees takes shots at Lauryn Hill in his new track titled ‘Bar Mitzfa’.

“Don’t blame me, blame her, she made all the mess. I don’t want another f*cking penny is what I told Wyclef” pic.twitter.com/arPX8twju2

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) August 13, 2024

The post Pras Michel Disses Lauryn Hill on New Single “Bar Mitzfa”: ‘She Made the Mess’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Pras Michel Disses Lauryn Hill on New Single “Bar Mitzfa”: ‘She Made the Mess’ appeared first on The Source.

Pras Michel Blames Lauryn Hill for Fugees Tour Cancellation: “Cat’s Out the Bag”

August 11, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The post Pras Michel Blames Lauryn Hill for Fugees Tour Cancellation: “Cat’s Out the Bag” first appeared on The Source.

The post Pras Michel Blames Lauryn Hill for Fugees Tour Cancellation: “Cat’s Out the Bag” appeared first on The Source.

Lauryn Hill Thinks The Media Is To Blame For Tour Cancelation Drama

August 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Lauryn Hill’s announcement that she and the Fugees canceled the North American leg of their 2024 Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill anniversary tour days before it was set to begin was not that surprising, to say the least. After all, this is one of many controversies and pulled shows that the legendary rap group has caused, faced, or at least dealt with over their historic career. While many fans expressed disappointment and outrage at this, there were also plenty of them who saw this coming from a mile away. The iconic femcee herself took to Instagram on Wednesday (August 7) to explain this cancelation and blame the media.

“With difficulty [we made] the decision to pull down our upcoming North American tour dates,” Lauryn Hill shared. “The shows in the UK and Europe ARE MOVING FORWARD as planned. Last year, I faced an injury that necessitated the rescheduling of some of my shows. Regrettably, some media outlet’s penchant for sensationalism and clickbait headlines have seemingly created a narrative that has affected ticket sales for the North American portion of the tour.

Read More: Lauryn Hill’s 7 Essential Songs

Lauryn Hill Explains Fugees Tour’s Cancelation In North America

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A post shared by Ms. Lauryn Hill (@mslaurynhill)

“The trust and faith I have in my intentions and my commitment to my art seem to have been overshadowed by this unfortunate portrayal,” Lauryn Hill continued. “The audiences in the UK and Europe not only haven’t seen the Miseducation Anniversary performances yet, they also haven’t seen the Fugees perform together in over 25 years! Performing for my fans is a profound exchange of energy and emotion that excites me every time. Every show is a piece of my expression and testament to our connection and shared love for music. I can assure you that no one is more disappointed about not being able to perform than I am.

“Know that I am not only grateful for those who appreciate and support my art, but that I FIGHT and push through all kinds of resistance to put together experiences that mean something for all of us. I love being able to bring these performances to you! I appreciate your understanding. We look forward to the shows in the UK and Europe in October—and for our fans in North America, when these unforeseen circumstances resolve, we’ll be back in full force. With Love, Respect, and Honesty, MLH.”

[via]

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