Fugees member Pras Michél has filed a lawsuit against his bandmate Lauryn Hill, alleging fraud and breach of contract over his 2023 tour and the cancellation of planned concerts in 2024.
Michelle filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of New York, accusing Hill of seeking personal gain by mismanaging the scheduling, marketing and budget of the 2023 tour. type reported on Tuesday (October 1), citing the complaint.
fugitiveThe founding members reportedly claimed that the tour was “actually a covert, underhanded attempt to [Hill]”.
Hill is also accused of siphoning funds from tour guarantees and controlling tour budgets “that were so bloated with unnecessary and most likely fictitious expenses that they appeared to be an attempt to lose money.”
Michelle’s complaint accuses Hill of taking 40% Travel guarantees and net profits ‘off the top’, remaining 60% By herself, Michelle and Wyclef Jean.
The lawsuit claims the 2023 tour was supposed to be a “huge commercial success” because most shows sold out in advance.
Michelle claims he owes almost 1 million US dollars Unrecovered expenses from 2023 tour. Michel and his representatives only recently learned of the financial arrangement and were denied a financial audit when they requested it, the lawsuit says.
“[Lauryn Hill controlled the tour budget] It’s so riddled with unnecessary and most likely fictitious expenses that it seems designed to lose money.
Plath Michel, “The Fugitive”
type The lawsuit also reportedly involves the Fugees’ planned 2024 tour. Hill is said to have live country An 18-date US tour is planned to begin in August 2024, but the deal was not disclosed to Michelle.
Live Nation eventually canceled the tour in August 2023 due to poor ticket sales, which Michelle blamed on Hill because it “took too long to get a deal with Live Nation” [and] There was little or no marketing for the tour, and there wasn’t enough time between the announcement and the first concert date to generate enough pre-sales to justify the tour.
Michel further accused Hill – described in the lawsuit as a wolf in sheep’s clothing with “narcissistic tendencies” – of refusing US$5 million She invited the Fugees to perform at Coachella because she felt the festival prioritized “No Doubt” and therefore was snubbed.
“Hill never told Plath the offer, nor that she had been rejected. Plath learned of this too late, and Hill asked Plath, with surprising arrogance, if she would agree to free performed several Fugees songs as her son’s opening act, “YG” Marleyhe was scheduled to perform at the same Coachella music festival,” the complaint quoted type read.
Additionally, Michelle’s lawsuit accuses Hill of “tarnishing the Fugees brand” by “her habit of showing up late to shows, sometimes as much as two to three hours” and taking advantage of his need for money to pay for his gigs. legal fees. 1MDB Financial Scandal.
In response to the allegations, Hill issued a detailed statement to the media, calling the lawsuit “baseless” and “full of false accusations and unfounded attacks.”
“Some clarity and facts need to be provided. I have remained silent and stayed the course because I know Plath was under duress as a result of his legal dispute, which may have affected his judgment, state of mind, and character,” the statement read.
Hill claims Michelle got US$3 million Tour advance, he said he needed to pay attorney fees.
“Wyclef and myself deferred our entire down payment to make sure he had what he needed and was able to go,” Hill said, adding that she paid for most of the trip because most of the down payment was Gave it to Michelle.
An agreement was allegedly reached to ensure that Michel would repay the advance, which he has yet to repay.
Hill also claimed that she shouldered most of the costs, produced the show, and assembled the entire set, while Michelle “basically just had to show up and perform.”
“‘I kept silent and persisted because I understood that Plath [Michél] The duress he faced as a result of his legal battle may have affected his judgment, state of mind, and character.
Lauryn Hill “The Fugitive”
She mentioned that as of the last tour, Michelle thanked her for “saving his life.” Hill further expressed sympathy for Michelle’s current legal troubles but insisted that she “did not advise him to make this decision and therefore takes no responsibility for his decision or its consequences, although I took it upon myself to help.” “
“Even though he was attacked, I’m still sympathetic and wish him the best,” Hill said.
The Fugees were formed in New Jersey in the late 1980s and are considered one of the most influential hip-hop groups of the 1990s. The group, which includes Wyclef Jean, Michél and Hill, has sold over 22 million Global record. their 1996 album Fraction Earned seven times RIAA Platinum certification.
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