The Fugees’ Reunion Was A Shock To Pras

Following the Fugees’ recent reunion at the 2023 Roots Picnic, sources shared some behind-the-scenes info with TMZ Hip Hop. A representative for Pras revealed that the performance came as a surprise to the artist, who is currently awaiting sentencing for recent charges of conspiracy and fraud. The source also shared that the trio didn’t have an opportunity to rehearse prior to the last-minute performance, which featured six songs from their 1996 LP, The Score. Many fans speculated that the reunion could have been the last they saw of the Fugees for a while, however, sources suggest they “stay tuned!!!”

In April, Pras was found guilty of 10 charges surrounding an alleged international conspiracy plot. Though he has not yet been sentenced, his charges could leave him spending over 20 years behind bars. “We are extremely disappointed in that result. But are very, very confident in the ultimate outcome of this case,” Pras’ lawyer David Kenner stated following the verdict. “If we do move to a sentencing hearing I remain very confident we will certainly appeal this case. This is not over.”

Read More: The Fugees Songs: The Hip Hop Group’s 7 Biggest Hits

The Fugees' Reunion Was A Shock To Pras
Pras Michel, a member of the 1990’s hip-hop group the Fugees and his lawyer David Kenner (R) arrive at U.S. District Court on April 3, 2023 in Washington, DC. Michel is on trial for his alleged participation in a campaign finance conspiracy. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

In August of last year, the Fugees canceled their scheduled reunion tour, citing COVID-19 as the cause. The cancelation came amid Pras’ legal trouble, leading to speculation that it had more to do with the artist’s legal battle than the group was letting on. Amid the battle, Pras has also faced accusations that he was an FBI informant. He has continuously shot down the allegations.

“Look, I was never in the past, present, or future an FBI or a CIA informant. Never ever. If people want to check it out, look at the testimonies. They could see that all within the records, and all the DC courts,” he stated last month. He also said, “This is not a Tekashi 6ix9ine situation, respectfully.” “Because he admitted he was an informant, basically. So I was never. I never said I was,” Pras claims, “I am not now and never will be an FBI or a CIA informant.” 

Read More: Pras To Sue 50 Cent, Kyrie Irving Over Informant Claims

[Via]

The post The Fugees’ Reunion Was A Shock To Pras appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Here Are The Roots Picnic Set Times For 2023

The Roots Picnic 2023 is going down this weekend. As one of Philadephia’s premiere outdoor music festivals, this year’s event is expected to attract fans nationwide. Despite the last-minute cancellation of Diddy as the closing headliner, R&B legend Usher being announced as the replacement quickly nulled over any lingering anger.

As for the music side of the festival, performances will go down on Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4, at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Notable billed R&B acts include Coco Jones, DVSN, Soulquarians featuring the Isley Brothers, Syd, Ari Lennox, and Lucky Daye. To honor the 50th anniversary of hip-hop headliner Ms. Lauryn Hill and others such as the State Property Reunion will celebrate the genre’s impact.

Check out the set times for The Roots Picnic 2023 below. All times are p.m. and ET.

Saturday, June 3

Akin Inaj & Inutech — 2 @ Presser Stage
N3wyrkla — 2 @ Park Stage
Mike Phillips — 2:25 @ Park Stage
Fridayy — 2:30 @ Presser Stage
Uncle Waffles — 2:50 @ Park Stage
Symba — 3:10 @ Presser Stage
Adam Blackstone w/ Coco Jones & Mary Mary — 3:50 @ Park Stage
DVSN — 4 @ Presser Stage
State Property Reunion — 4:50 @ Park Stage
Baller Alert presents Rare Essence. vs. Backyard Band — 5 @ Presser Stage
Soulquarians feat. Isley Brothers — 6 @ Park Stage
GloRilla — 6:30 @ Presser Stage
Lil Uzi Vert — 7:30 @ Park Stage
Syd — 7:45 @ Presser Stage
Ms. Lauryn Hill — 9:15 @ Park Stage

Sunday, June 4

Dappa — 12 @ Presser Stage
Box Boys — 2 @ Park Stage
DJ Spinall — 2:15 @ Park Stage
Rocky — 2:30 @ Presser Stage
Little Brother — 3 @ Park Stage
Yussef Dayes Experience — 3:20 @ Presser Stage
Maverick City — 4 @ Park Stage
Saucy Santana — 4:20 @ Presser Stage
Kindred The Family Soul — 5:10 @ Presser Stage
Ari Lennox — 6 @ Park Stage
DJ Drama — 6:10 @ Presser Stage
J. Period Mixtape featuring Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, and Eve — 7:15 @ Park Stage
Lucky Daye — 7:25 @ Presser Stage
Usher — 9:15 @ Park Stage

Set times are subject to change—the official Roots Picnic mobile app to stay up-to-date with the latest information and updates to set times. Tickets for the Roots Picnic are on sale now. Find more information here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Diddy, Lil Uzi Vert, & More Headline Roots Picnic 2023

The Roots have unveiled the lineup for their Roots Picnic 2023 festival, featuring Diddy, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Lil Uzi Vert, and many more noteworthy artists. Hill will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of her iconic album, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill. Diddy will be backed by The Roots themselves for his performance. There will also be a comedy performance by Dave Chappelle alongside The Roots. A press release for the event describes that set as “a seismic, first-ever comedy set of this magnitude.”

Moving further down the lineup, Ari Lennox, City Girls, Maverick City, Lucky Daye, Syd, GloRilla, DJ Drama, Uncle Waffles, Saucy Santana, DVSN, and more will be taking the stage. There will also be a State Property reunion featuring Freeway, Beanie Siegel, Young Gunz, Peedi Crakk, Oschino & Sparks. Outside of music, Roots Picnic will also feature a podcast stage, welcoming Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Akademiks, Talib Kweli, and more.

Roots Picnic 2023 Lineup

Roots Picnic 2023 will be held at The Mann in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday and Sunday, June 3-4, 2023. Presale tickets will go on sale on February 21 at 12:00 PM, ET, followed by general on-sale on Wednesday, February 22 at 10:00 AM, ET. Merchandise in support of the festival is available for pre-order now. The Roots Picnic 2023 Tee costs $50. Check out the full lineup for the event below.

FULL LINEUP:

Diddy w/ The Roots 
Ms. Lauryn Hill 
Lil Uzi Vert 
Dave Chappelle w/ The Roots
Soulquarians Set featuring Roy Ayers & The Isley Bros
Black Thought Live Mixtape featuring Busta Rhymes & Eve 
Ari Lennox
Lucky Daye
City Girls
Maverick City
Syd
Glorilla
DJ Drama
Uncle Waffles
Saucy Santana
DVSN
Kindred The Family Soul
Spinall
State Property Reunion (Freeway, Beanie Siegel, Young Gunz, Peedi Crakk, Oschino & Sparks) 
Little Brother
Yussef Dayes Experience
Adam Blackstone w/ Coco Jones & Mary Mary
Baller Alert Presents Go Go: Backyard Band vs Rare Essence
Symba
Fridayy
Mike Phillips
Rocky
Dappa
Akin Inaj & Inutech

PODCAST STAGE: 

Charlamagne Tha God
Off The Record with DJ Akademiks
Don’t Call Me White Girl
Lip Service with Angela Yee
Questlove Supreme
People’s Party with Talib Kweli
Pour Minds
Trap Nerds
The Office XIV
Love + Grit

[Via]