Lauryn Hill
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Lauryn Hill was the target of a lawsuit from her Fugees bandmate, Pras Michél which alleges that the celebrated rapper and singer breached a contract that sank plans of a reunion tour among other claims. Lauryn Hill fired back with comments herself, shooting down Pras Michél’s claims immediately after.
Variety exclusively reports that Pras Michél filed the lawsuit on Tuesday (October 1) in federal court, alleging instances of fraud and a breach of contract in connection to a 2023 tour featuring all three members of the Fugees which includes Wyclef Jean.
From Variety:
In a scathing lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Southern District of New York, Michél alleges that Hill grossly mismanaged the setup, marketing and budgeting of their scuttled 2023 tour, which “was actually a veiled and devious attempt to make a big score for herself,” the complaint states, adding that the singer then secretly siphoned off money from the tour guarantees. The full list of claims also include breach of fiduciary duty and refusal to permit an audit of the Fugees’ tour.
After the report was published, Lauryn Hill issued her version of events via a statement to the publication:
In a statement to Variety, Hill calls Michél’s suit “baseless” and “full of false claims and unwarranted attacks.” The Grammy-winning artist adds that Michél’s complaint, filed Tuesday in the Southern District of New York, omits that her former bandmate “was advanced overpayment for the last tour and has failed to repay substantial loans extended by myself as an act of goodwill.” (Michel’s suit does note that he did not make money on the 2023 tour that was canceled due to Hill’s vocal strain and instead is in the hole for $900,000 in unrecouped expenses.) In her statement, she adds that the 2024 tour, which was canceled by Live Nation days before it was scheduled to kick off, “was being planned whether the Fugees were involved or not.” (Michél’s suit claims that his and fellow co-founder Wyclef Jean’s involvement was a stipulation made by Live Nation.)
The publication examined the finer details of Michél’s lawsuit, with a claim stating that Hill turned down $5 million for the Fugees to perform at Coachella. The lawsuit adds the reason Hill shot down the offer was that No Doubt received top billing over the group.
The Fugees were set to hit the road earlier this summer but the tour was suddenly cancelled just days before it was set to kick off.
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Source: Atlantic Records / Atlantic Records
The cult classic film The Warriors is getting a new interpretation from Lin-Manuel Miranda, featuring Lauryn Hill among others.
For many, The Warriors is a beloved film from the late 1970s that has been celebrated since its release. A new album reimagining the original story from award-winning playwrights Lin-Manuel Miranda and Elsa Davis is set to be released on October 18, and it features Grammy Award-winner Lauryn Hill playing the role of Cyrus, and the titular street gang from Coney Island played by notable actresses Kenita Miller, Sasha Hutchings, Phillipa Soo, Aneesa Folds, Amber Gray, Gizel Jiménez, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Julia Harriman.
Lauryn Hill’s addition to the album already rounds out the highly-impressive cast on the project. “We just had to have her, you know what I mean? There was no plan B, whatsoever,” Davis said of reaching out to the singer. The album also features Nas (who’s an executive producer), Ghostface and The RZA, Busta Rhymes, Cam’ron, Chris Rivers, and reggae artist Shenseea, along with actors Colman Domingo and Billy Porter. Original cast members James Remar and David Patrick Kelly also appear on the project. “Eisa and I crafted our letter with care and just stayed in touch with her manager over the course of the year, never having a plan B, texting back and forth until one day we had a Dropbox file with all of these harmonies,” Miranda said.
For the Hamilton actor and producer and Davis, an Obie Award winner her performance in Passing Strange, the Warriors being portrayed by all women isn’t just a mere gender-swap. It’s a choice inspired by the online vitriol that the two observed in Gamergate and tying it to the moment Cyrus is killed by Luther and his gang. “I made that connection and then thought, “Well if the Warriors are women, how does that change the narrative?” At every point, it complicates it in a really compelling way,” Miranda explained. “I think that it’s just so crucial to think about this — it’s a group of women that no one believes. Everyone is accusing you falsely, as Lin is saying, and what is it that you do? What is it that you try?” Davis stated.
The two did say there are no plans to turn this version into a feature film. The Warriors concept album is out October 18.
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Source: Steve Jennings / Getty / Pras / The Fugees
After calling out his fellow Fugees member in a lackluster diss record, Pras is now walking back those subpar bars thrown at Lauryn Hill.
The Fugees are widely regarded as one of the most iconic Hip-Hop groups of all time, they have also earned the reputation of being a hot a** mess, thanks in large part to the shenanigans going on, mainly Lauryn Hill’s pretentious behavior.
Pras had time for Lauryn Hill, dropping a diss record called “Bar Mitzfa” following the not-so-surprising news that The Fugees were canceling tour dates.
On the song, he chimed in on the frustration rapping, “Don’t blame me, blame her, she made the mess / Not another fucking penny is what I told ‘Clef.”
Now, in a new interview with Vulture, he is throwing cold water on the song, claiming it’s “not a diss track, but more of a family dispute.
“You’re family, you have internal disagreements, but it’s not going to be on a level where I’m dissing her — that doesn’t make any sense,” he said. “Artistically speaking, sometimes we say things because that’s how we express ourselves. This track is me speaking my truth. When I was writing the record, those lines just came out.”
He also acknowledged the fan’s frustration with Lauryn Hill, saying, “They are paying their hard-earned money to see you.”
In the same breath, he claims he is stunned to see Hill receiving so much backlash for her behavior.
“I’ve never seen this kind of fan reaction toward Lauryn Hill,” Pras said. “There is a rejection — ‘We help to pay your bill. Just like we should be happy you came, you should be happy we coming.’ This dynamic is a two-way street. It’s tough love. But this is not an indictment of her and her character. All people are complaining about is lateness.”
Pras Confirms Lauryn Hill’s Lateness Is An Issue
Like many, Pras also confirmed they are victims of Hill’s tardiness penchant.
“There’s obviously reservation,” he said. “We don’t even ask her if she’s gonna be on time anymore; we say, ‘How late is she going to be?’ It gets to a point that you say, is it even really all worth it?”
Ahead of Pras releasing the song, The Fugees announced tour date cancellations in the United States. To further kill whatever goodwill she had fans, Ms. Hill said the negative media coverage following previous show cancelations and her always showing up late were the reasons behind poor ticket sales.
Pras, who has legal issues to worry about, says he intends to be a part of the shows that will take place during the European leg of the tour.
We shall see.
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Source: Steve Jennings / Getty
Days ago it was reported that The Fugees had suddenly canceled their U.S. tour dates just days before they were set to hit the road. Now, it seems like one of their members has something to say to his fellow Fugees bandmate.
According to TMZ, Pras has just released a new record in which he takes direct aim at Lauryn Hill for who he feels is the reason The Fugees continue to be dysfunctional in the eyes of their fans. Dubbed “Bar Mitzfa,” the new song finds Pras immediately airing out his grievances about The Fugees situation spitting, “Still waiting for me to lose, don’t hold ya breath/They took a bite out of his ambizzy, I control the rest/Don’t blame me, blame her she made the mess/Not another f*ckin’ penny is what I told Clef [Wyclef Jean]…”
With word that the cancellation of the tour was due to lack of ticket sales, it seems like Pras isn’t too happy with the reputation that Lauryn Hill built for herself over the years such as arriving hours late to her own shows and canceling performances out of the blue.
TMZ reports:
We’re told the song was recorded sometime last week, when Pras needed to blow off steam … on the heels of low ticket sales shutting down the legendary hip hop trio’s reunion plans.
Remember, Pras agreed with fed-up fans that Lauryn’s reputation for being late and missing shows justified them boycotting the concerts.
You gotta think, Lauryn’s lateness also jams up his and the band’s schedule … not to mention any invited celebrity guests at the shows!!! After a while, everyone starts to treat the tour like a big joke.
As much as we love The Fugees, we know that copping a ticket to their shows is basically a 50/50 gamble on whether or not it will start on time or even happen at all. And we all know why that is (no shots).
That being said, Pras has skipped his own share of Fugees performances, but with all the legal setbacks he’s faced over the years, y’all know he might’ve needed this tour paper more than his fellow “Fugee-La” members. Just sayin’.
How or even if Lauryn Hill (or Wyclef) will respond to this cut is anyone’s guess, but had this been 1999, it would’ve been the talk of the town. Now, in 2024? Meh.
What do y’all think of Pras taking shots at Lauryn Hill? Sound off in the comments section below.
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Source: Christopher Polk / Getty
Ms. Lauryn Hill and her bandmates Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel collectively known as The Fugees canceled their national tour (the international dates are still happening) earlier this week—just three days before it was due to kickoff this week in Tampa.
In a statement, Hill blamed the media for “sensationalizing” the fact that she canceled her 2023 tour dates which, she said, resulted in low ticket sales.
In a social media post, Hill wrote, “Last year, I faced an injury that necessitated the rescheduling of some of my shows. Regrettably, some media outlets’ penchant for sensationalism and clickbait headlines have seemingly created a narrative that has affected ticket sales for the North American portion of the tour. The trust and faith I have in my intentions and my commitment to my art seem to have been overshadowed by this unfortunate portrayal.”
She noted that the scheduled shows in the UK and Europe are moving forward, adding, “The audiences in the UK and Europe not only haven’t seen the Miseducation Anniversary performance yet, they also haven’t seen the Fugees perform together in over 25 years!”
Hill noted, “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.”
She adds, “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!”
Hill vowed to return and perform in front of North American fans again. She signed the statement, “With Love, Respect and Honesty.”
Some fans on social media lamented the tour’s cancelation.
But, others just thought it was more of the same.
The news comes amid continuing emerging rumors that Ms. Lauryn Hill is planning to finally release a sophomore album.
Meanwhile, Hill’s 1995 debut was named #1 on Apple Music’s list of the 100 Best Albums in May of this year.
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Source: Live Nation / Live Nation
Lauryn Hill will be back on tour with The Fugees this summer in a new tour honoring her classic first album, which will also feature YG Marley.
On Tuesday (June 25), Ms. Lauryn Hill announced that she was going to head back out on the road as the headliner for the extension of The Miseducation Anniversary Tour, celebrating her standout album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which has been highly acclaimed since its release in 1998. Joining her for the tour will be her bandmates from The Fugees as well as her son, singer and songwriter, YG Marley. The tour will also feature music from The Fugees’ smash second album, The Score, with the music from Miseducation, which was recently named as the top album on Apple Music’s Best 100 Albums list.
The tour will begin on Aug. 9 in Tampa, Florida. That city was to be next on the previous tour last November before Hill had to cancel the dates due to considerable vocal strain and a doctor’s advisory to rest. The tour will wind through several cities including Atlanta, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Los Angeles and Houston before closing out with four European dates in the United Kingdom and France before the final date on Oct. 22 in Amsterdam. Per the press release, $2 from each ticket sale will go to the MLH Fund which will “benefit a list of local and worldwide organizations benefiting initiatives concerning Mental Health, Women’s Wellness, Community Small Business Development, Education and more throughout the diaspora.”
Those looking to attend The Miseducation Anniversary Tour can purchase tickets beginning on Friday (June 28), at Live Nation’s website. Citi credit card holders can purchase tickets through a presale taking place at 10 a.m. local time through Citi Entertainment. Those with Mastercards in France and the Netherlands can get their tickets early in a presale beginning at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday (June 26). VIP packages, which can include photo opportunities with the artists as well as premium tickets, are also available at vipnation.com and vipnation.eu.
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Source: Irma Mchedlishvili / Apple Music
Apple Music has just unveiled their 100 Best Albums of All Time List. Surprisingly the slotted The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill at number one.
As reported by Variety Magazine the popular streaming platform has taken the time to curate their first ever top 100 list. According to their website this is their “definitive list of the greatest albums ever made” and was “assembled with the help of artists and experts, it’s a modern love letter to the records that have shaped the world we live and listen in today.” The effort spans across all music genres and even includes some titles that either hard to find or were just recently made available online.
To the surprise of many The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill was ranked the best album of all time by their brain trust. This accolade is quite remarkable as her debut project beat out the likes of Michael Jackson’s Thriller (#2), Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life (#3), Abbey Road by The Beatles (#3). Additionally, some of the culture’s brightest stars also cracked the top 10 with Beyoncé’s Lemonade and Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city.
Apple Music also bestowed Ms. Hill with an award in honor of the number one ranking. When Ebro Darden told her the news at the ceremony she simply responded “that’s crazy.” Later on during the event she detailed why the moment is bigger than her. “This is my award, but it’s a rich, deep narrative and involves so many people, and so much sacrifice, and so much time, and so much collective love” she said.
You can view Apple Music’s Top 100 Albums of All Time list here.
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Source: Arturo Holmes / Getty
It’s been a quarter century since Lauryn Hill dropped one of the greatest albums of Hip-Hop’s golden era in The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. And although plenty of fans gave up on the Fugees member releasing a follow-up project more than a decade ago, it seems like theere might be hope yet of a proper sophomore album from the legendary music artist.
According to TMZ, Lauryn Hill hinted that a new album might very well be in the works as TMZ caught up with her son, YG Marley in New York City as they left The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and asked him if his iconic mom is working on new material in 2024. Though he didn’t confirm that Lauryn Hill was going to release a new project anytime soon, he did hint that their might be some stuff in the chamber ready to pop off at some point in the coming future by simply saying “Music’s on the way.”
Per TMZ:
YG got a kick outta the question, and gently suggested there’s reason for fans to be excited about his mom making new tunes — and he cheesed even harder when we asked if he’d be helping her in the studio.
As for Lauryn’s position — well, check out the video for her reaction when we told her what YG let slip. Coy smiles run in the family!
She joined YG for his late-night TV debut as they performed her classic hit “Ex-Factor,” YG’s breakout record “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” … and also premiered his new track “Survival” … co-written with lyrics from his late grandfather Bob Marley.
Lauryn herself just nodded when asked about her son implying that new music was on the way but wouldn’t comment any further when asked when we could expect that new work that would get heads nodding and bodies vibing like it was 1998.
Check out the exchange between TMZ and YG and let us know if you think Lauryn Hill will ever actually drop a new album in the comments section below.
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Ms. Lauryn Hill and the tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of her debut solo album is one of the hottest tour tickets in the world. However, the rapper and vocalist is growing tired of complaints about her lateness when it comes to performing and addressed the crowd during a recent tour stop.
Ms. Lauryn Hill stopped in Los Angeles, Calif. this past weekend and arrived on the stage later than the scheduled time. While there, Hill, perhaps sensing the complaints that were possibly on some minds of the patrons in attendance, spoke to the issue directly. The speech can be seen in full as posted by VIBE R&B reporter Mya Abraham.
As it stands, Hill is aware of the complaints, something she once mentioned on the track “Nobody from” Nas’ King’s Disease II album in 2021.
Hill doesn’t dive too deeply into why she arrives on the stage at the staggered times that she does, but it appears that she isn’t exactly lacking understanding. What it does illustrate is that she hopes to gain some empathy from her fans instead of the constant complaints.
Joining Hill on the tour are her Fugees bandmates Wyclef Jean and Praz Michel, doing new renditions of their past hits from the two albums the trio recorded in the 1990s.
On X, formerly Twitter, fans are reacting to the footage that was released, along with their thoughts about the speech. Check out those replies below.
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Photo: Christopher Polk / Getty
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Over the weekend, The Roots Picnic out in Philadelphia was making noise for some of its surprise sets such as the reunion of State Property, but fans in attendance were really taken aback when Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras reunited to become The Fugees one more time.
According to TMZ, the multiplatinum rap group put the band together for what could be the last time this past Saturday (June 3) during The Roots Picnic Music Festival and while on stage performed “Ready or Not” much to the delight of the surprised crowd.
Though it’s not clear if they went into their illustrious catalog of hits, their mere presence was enough reason to celebrate as the group hasn’t been on the same stage for quite some time and may not get a chance to do so for again as Pras is facing up to two decades in prison of conspiracy for defrauding the United States.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of her classic album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, L-Boogie was doing her thing on stage before Wyclef and Pras eventually joined her and got the crowd rowdy and rocking.
TMZ reports:
Sounds like the show went off without a hitch, and the festival’s key organizer — Questlove — was certainly grateful. He took to IG with a throwback post of one of The Fugees’ first gigs, noting this may well be one of the final times they join forces like this in this setting.
He wrote, “@MsLaurynHill did us a solid by letting us not only letting us celebrate with her the classic #MiseducationOfLaurynHill but she also made a moment by bringing together her bredren @WyclefJean & @PrasMichel … I’m giving all the gratitude for making this miracle of a night happen.”With OG artists from the golden era like Nas and Wu-Tang Clan going on tour, hopefully, The Fugees can put something together for their day-ones before Pras is eventually sentenced and taken out of the picture.Check out another video of their time on stage below and let us know in the comments if you’d like to see a Fugees tour come to your city.https://twitter.com/Philly_PR_Girl/status/1665209280184700928
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Photo: Getty
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