Pras Michel, a former member of the highly successful hip-hop trio the Fugees, has dismissed (without prejudice) his lawsuit filed in New York federal court in October 2024 against former bandmate Lauryn Hill and MLH Touring Inc. Michel alleged in his complaint that Hill grossly mismanaged the Fugees’ 2023 reunion tour, ending it early and canceled The Miseducation Anniversary Tour in 2024. The lawsuit was dismissed with each party bearing their own costs and attorneys’ fees.
Michel alleged that the Defendants were liable for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, improper accounting, unjust enrichment, fraud, and refusal to allow an audit. The complaint alleged that due to the Defendants’ conduct, the 2024 tour was cancelled just three days before it was scheduled to begin. By dismissing the case “without prejudice,” Michel could re-file the action in the future (assuming the statute of limitations has not run). If the action had been dismissed “with prejudice,” it could not be re-filed.
Michel claimed in his lawsuit that in connection with the 2023 tour, Defendants failed to pay certain expenses, such as credit card and hotel bills, as well as money due to musicians and crew.
Michel also contended that Hill refused a five million dollar offer for the Fugees to perform at the Coachella Music Festival because she would not agree to be billed below the group No Doubt.
Michel stated that Hill mismanaged the Fugees’ tour “as a veiled and devious attempt to make a big score for herself.” Michel further contended that Hill and her touring company had “complete control over the business aspects of the tour which allowed her to have a total lack of transparency over the tour’s management, including the handling of money.” He further stated that he thought the tour could have been a “huge commercial success” if Hill’s actions had not ended it early. Michel claimed that Hill profited from decisions made regarding the tour while he endured mounting legal problems.
Hill denied the allegations calling them “baseless” and “full of false claims and unwarranted attacks.” She further stated: “I’ve been silent and pushing through because I understand that Pras was under duress because of his legal battles and that this was perhaps affecting his judgment, state of mind, and character.”
The Fugees group was formed in 1989 in New Jersey by Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Michel. They had initial success with hits such as their cover of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “Ready or Not.”
The band became a very influential group known for combining different genres such as hip-hop, soul, and reggae.
Michel’s legal problems include a conviction for aiding a foreign country in an effort to influence an election. Michel is set to serve a 14-year prison term. Michel is appealing that conviction.
GLENN T. LITWAK is a veteran entertainment attorney based in Santa Monica, CA. He has represented platinum selling recording artists, GRAMMY-winning music producers, hit songwriters, management and production companies, music publishers and independent record labels. Litwak is also a frequent speaker at music industry conferences around the country, such as South by Southwest and the Billboard Music in Film and TV Conference. Litwak has been selected as a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyer magazine for 2022-2025. Email Litwak at gtllaw59@gmail.com or visit glennlitwak.com.
This article is a very brief overview of the subject matter and does not constitute legal advice.
