The Fugees, 1MDB & A Legal Saga of Our Times

Pras Michel
Pras Michel of the Fugees is facing significant jail time over his alleged connection to the 1MDB scandal. Photo: Chance Yeh/Getty Images
Eriq Gardner
August 29, 2022

Once upon a time, it was damn near impossible to walk down a city street and not hear music from The Fugees blasting out of some loudspeaker. Dubbed the “Leaders of the New Cool” by Rolling Stone, the hip-hop trio of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel produced seemingly borderless music that crossed style and time. About a year ago, The Fugees announced they’re reuniting for a world tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their breakthrough album, The Score, and I remember shaking my head in utter disbelief upon hearing this news. It wasn’t because Hill and Jean had apparently mended fences after an infamous falling out. Rather, the iconic group’s third core member is dealing with a pretty serious criminal situation.