A new report from Puck has claimed that the Fugees reunion tour, which was due to kick off in 2021, was not cancelled due to COVID as first claimed. Rather, the report claims the tour was axed due to Pras Michel’s alleged involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal.
In 2019, Michel was indicted by the United States Department of Justice for his alleged role in the scandal, which claimed he had been involved in laundering money from Malaysian officials during the 2012 US presidential election.
Fugees – ‘Ready Or Not’
At the time, Michel pleaded not guilty to the charges, though in June 2021, he was charged again, this time for allegedly running a campaign to get the Donald Trump administration to drop their investigation of 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
It was just three months later that the Fugees announced their reunion tour, with Michel, Wyclef Jean, and Ms. Lauryn Hill aiming to tour in celebration. of the 25th anniversary of their classic album, The Score. The tour was scheduled to begin in November 2021 and included a handful of shows in the US before wrapping up with international dates in London, Paris, Nigeria, and Ghana.
However, as Puck‘s Eriq Gardner reports, the Fugees’ claims that COVID was responsible for the delay (and eventual cancellation) of the shows wasn’t truthful, with the US Justice Department reportedly not permitting Michel to embark on an international tour. Currently, Michel is scheduled to appear before a US court on 4th November. He could reportedly face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
Despite the cancellation of the tour, remaining Fugees members Jean and Hill did perform a handful of their songs live during a brief festival appearance in early July.
Further Reading
Fugees Are Getting Back Together For 25th Anniversary Reunion Tour
Ms. Lauryn Hill And Wyclef Jean Reunite For Brief Set Of Fugees Songs
OP-ED: The Mistreatment Of Lauryn Hill. Why Her Infamous Sydney Show Was A Triumph
