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Prakazrel Samuel Michel (born October 19, 1972), known professionally as Pras (/ˈprɑːz/), is an American rapper, singer and actor. He is best known as a member of the hip-hop group Fugees, which he formed with fellow New Jerseyans Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill in 1990.

As a solo act, he signed with Columbia Records in 1996 and earned two top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with his 1997 single "Avenues" (with Refugee Camp All-Stars featuring Ky-Mani Marley) and his Grammy Award-nominated 1998 single "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" (featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard and Mýa). The latter was released for the Warren Beatty film Bulworth (1998), while both preceded the release of his debut studio album, Ghetto Supastar (1998).

He also collaborated with Jean and rock band Queen on the 1998 remix of "Another One Bites the Dust", which reached the top five on the UK Singles Chart. In 2017, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series for his work as a producer on the web series The Bay.

In 2019, he began to face legal issues when he was charged with criminal conspiracy for alleged illegal donations to President Barack Obama's 2012 presidential re-election campaign[1][2] and lobbying the Trump administration to deter investigations into the 1MDB scandal involving fugitive Malaysian businessman Jho Low.[3] In 2023, Pras was found guilty of 10 criminal counts in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia,[4] and in November 2025 he was sentenced to 14 years in prison in connection with the case.[5]

Early life

[edit]

Michel was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and raised in Irvington, New Jersey. He is Haitian-American.[6] Pras cultivated an early interest in music. When he was 15, he met Lauryn Hill while both attended Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey. In 1988, Pras introduced Hill to Wyclef Jean. Pras, Jean, and Hill began to rehearse under the guidance of Kool and the Gang's producer, Ronald Khalis Bell, and subsequently they formed a musical group called The Rap Translators in 1989 (also known as Tranzlator Crew).

Career

[edit]

Music

[edit]

From 1992 to 1993, The Fugees recorded their first album Blunted on Reality, under the supervision of Ronald Khalis Bell. Before and during this, Pras attended Rutgers University and Yale University, pursuing a double major in Philosophy and Psychology.[7] In 1996, The Fugees achieved historic crossover success with The Score, which went multi-platinum.

Pras has also forged a successful solo career, beginning with an international hit single from his first full-length solo LP, "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)", featuring Mýa and Ol' Dirty Bastard. "Ghetto Superstar" became a top ten single in 1999, and the eighth most played single. The song earned Pras a performance at the World Music Awards. The hit single was included in the soundtrack for the film Bulworth. "Ghetto Supastar" spent eight weeks in the UK Top 5, peaking at No. 2 in July 1998,[8] and reached US No. 15 a month later. "Blue Angels", from the same album, was a UK Top 10 hit, reaching No. 6 in November.[8]

Pras also featured on the track "Turn You On" by Swedish artist DeDe[9] which was released in 2007. "Turn You On" was also written and produced by Pras. After nine weeks on Sweden's single chart, it peaked at No. 2. He also featured "Pushin'" from the album Equalize by Swami, which was released in 2007.

The Fugees were scheduled to begin their international reunion tour originally in 2021 which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, a new tour was announced. However, three days before the first show, it was cancelled without an explanation.[10] In October 2024, Pras sued fellow member Lauryn Hill for breach of contract and fraud, also in regard to the cancelled tour.[11] Hill herself replied that the lawsuit "is full of false claims and unwarranted attacks. It notably omits that he was advanced overpayment for the last tour and has failed to repay substantial loans extended by myself as an act of good will."[12]

Film

[edit]

After making a cameo in the 1999 feature film Mystery Men, Pras became interested in Hollywood. In 2000, Pras starred in the New Line film, Turn It Up. In early 2002, he appeared in the Sony and Urban World release Higher Ed. and Go for Broke in which he starred and produced. He also co-starred in three 20th Century Fox films in 2007. These included The Mutant Chronicles.

In 2006, Pras created Skid Row, Los Angeles, a documentary account of his nine-day experience posing as a homeless person living in downtown Los Angeles. Using a hidden camera, Pras captured the reality of homelessness. The film was produced by Teryn Fogel.[13] Skid Row was released on August 24, 2007.[14]

In 2009, Pras traveled to Somalia to film the documentary Paper Dreams, which examines piracy off the African coast. During filming, pirates invaded the ship he was on, the MV Maersk Alabama, and took the captain of the ship hostage. Originally due to be released in 2014, the documentary remains unfinished due to a legal dispute.[15]

In 2015, Pras completed a documentary, Sweet Micky For President, which chronicles the rise of Haitian musician Michel Martelly, through his election to fight corruption as President of Haiti, an election campaign that was strongly endorsed by Pras. The film had its world premiere at the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival.[16]

In 2017, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series as a producer on the web series The Bay.[17][18]

Political activism

[edit]

In 2013, Michel became a "top initial donor"[19] to Organizing for Action, a political advocacy group formed by Obama associates in January 2013.[20] Illegally funneling tens of millions of dollars in donations to the Obama administration, Pras was sentenced to 14 years in the American federal prison system.

[edit]
See also: 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Michel on May 10, 2019, for his part in an alleged criminal conspiracy with Malaysian financier Jho Low. The DOJ alleged that between June 2012 and November 2012, Michel aided in the illegal transfer of approximately $865,000 from foreign entities into the Barack Obama 2012 presidential campaign. The DOJ alleged that these funds were disguised as purportedly legitimate contributions, but were stolen from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).[1][2][21] Ultimately, the DOJ alleged that $21 million in foreign campaign contributions were funneled into the 2012 US presidential election to benefit "Candidate A".[2][22][23] The Washington Post and The New York Times identified "Candidate A" as Barack Obama.[2][24]

In June 2021, Michel was charged by a federal grand jury for running a back-channel campaign to get the Trump administration to drop an investigation of Jho Low and the 1MDB investment company.[21][25][26]

He was also accused of advocating for the extradition of a Chinese dissident, Guo Wengui, from the United States.[27][28][21] In the plea documents of former DOJ employee George Higginbotham, Michel was accused of making payments to have Guo extradited to China. Though unnamed in the filings, Michel is "easily identified" due to linked cases and confirmation from sources close to the case.[28] Michel "vehemently and unequivocally" denied accusations related to Higginbotham's case.[28]

As of 2021, due to the charges against him, Michel cannot travel internationally.[29] In January 2022, Fugees cancelled their planned international reunion tour, citing the COVID-19 pandemic.[30][31]

On April 26, 2023, Michel was found guilty of 10 criminal counts in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.[32][33][34][4] He was sentenced in November 2025 to 14 years in prison.[35]

Discography

[edit]
See also: Fugees discography

Albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[36] 		US
R&B
[37] 		AUS
[38] 		GER
[39] 		NOR
[40] 		NZ
[41] 		SWE
[42] 		SWI
[43] 		UK
[44]
Ghetto Supastar 55 35 54 68 9 34 19 47 44
Win Lose or Draw
  • Released: August 16, 2005
  • Label: Universal
  • Format: CD, digital download
 — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released.

EPs

[edit]
List of extended plays with selected details
Title Details
Wave Culture
  • Released: May 22, 2018
  • Label: New Vision Management
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
AUS
[38] 		AUT
[46] 		BEL
[47] 		FIN
[48] 		GER
[39] 		NOR
[40] 		NZ
[41] 		SWE
[42] 		SWI
[43] 		UK
[49] 		US
"Avenues"
(featuring the Refugee Camp All-Stars) 		1997 — — 32 12 51 2 4 7 — — 35 Ghetto Supastar
"Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)"
(featuring ODB and Mýa) 		1998 2 1 1 4 1 1 1 2 1 2 15
"Blue Angels"
(featuring The Product G&B) 		55 — 59 — 75 — 10 10 50 6 —
"What'cha Wanna Do"
(featuring The Product G&B and Free) 		— — — — — — — — — 72 —
"Another One Bites the Dust"
(Wyclef Jean and Queen featuring Pras and Free) 		— 23 13 7 46 20 9 50 35 5 —
"Haven't Found"
(featuring Sharli McQueen) 		2005 76 — 67 17 — — — — — — — Win Lose or Draw
"Pump Fakin"
(featuring Young M.A) 		2017 — — — — — — — — — — — TBA
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released.
[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[38] 		AUT
[46] 		BEL
[47] 		FIN
[48] 		GER
[39] 		NOR
[40] 		NZ
[41] 		SWE
[42] 		SWI
[43] 		UK
[49]
"Never Turn Back"
(Toshinobu Kubota featuring Pras) 		2000 — — — — — — — — — — Nothing But Your Love
"Miss California"
(Dante Thomas featuring Pras) 		2001 5 4 2 — 1 13 5 6 2 25 Fly
"Turn You On"
(Dede featuring Pras) 		2007 — — — 11 — — — 2 — — N/a
"Pushin'"
(Swami featuring Pras and Ishmael) 		— — — — — — — — — — Equalize
"Le Blues"
(Melissa M featuring Pras) 		2008 — — — — — — — — — — N/a
"My Man"
(Anggun featuring Pras) 		— — — — — — — — — — Elevation
"Watch Out"
(Jennifer Milan featuring Pras) 		2010 — — — — — — — — — — 22
"Untried"
(Linda Kiraly featuring Pras and Rh3) 		2012 — — — — — — — — — — N/a
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released.

Filmography

[edit]
  • Elmopalooza (1998) - Himself
  • Mystery Men (1999) – Tony C (credited as Prakazrel Michel)
  • Turn It Up (2000) – Denzel/Diamond (credited as Pras Michel) (co-producer)
  • Da Hip Hop Witch (2000) - Himself
  • Higher Ed (2001) – Ed Green (credited as Pras Michel) (executive producer)
  • Go for Broke (2002) – Jackson/Jackie (credited as Pras Michel) (producer)
  • Nora's Hair Salon (2004)
  • Careful What You Wish For (2004) – Zen Salesman (credited as Pras Michel)
  • Feel the Noise (2007) – Electric
  • First Night (2007) – himself (producer)
  • Skid Row (2007) – himself (producer)
  • Mutant Chronicles (2007) – Captain Michaels (producer)
  • Paper Dreams (2010) – himself (producer)
  • Sweet Mickey for President (2015) – himself (producer)

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pras

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from Grokipedia
Prakazrel Samuel Michel (born October 19, 1972), known professionally as Pras Michel or Pras, is a Haitian-American rapper, record producer, songwriter, and actor best known as a founding member of the hip hop group the Fugees alongside Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill.[1][2] Formed in New Jersey in 1990, the Fugees achieved commercial breakthrough with their 1996 album The Score, which sold over 17 million copies worldwide and earned multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.[3] Following the group's dissolution, Michel pursued a solo career, releasing the 1998 album Ghetto Supastar featuring the hit single "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" with Mýa and Ol' Dirty Bastard, which peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.[1] He has also worked as a producer and actor, earning a Daytime Emmy Award in 2017 for his contributions to the web series The Bay.[4] In 2023, Michel was convicted on ten federal counts, including conspiracy to violate campaign finance laws, acting as an unregistered foreign agent, and witness tampering, stemming from schemes to influence U.S. policy through illicit lobbying for foreign entities during the Obama and Trump administrations; he faces up to 22 years in prison, with sentencing delayed as of 2025 due to health issues.[3][5][6]

Early life

Childhood and family background

Prakazrel Samuel Michel, known professionally as Pras, was born on October 19, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Haitian immigrant parents who had fled the dictatorship of Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier.[7] His family relocated to Irvington, New Jersey, where he was raised in a strict household.[8] As a Haitian-American, Michel maintained strong cultural ties to Haiti through his parents' heritage, which influenced his later activism and artistic pursuits.[9] Limited public details exist about his immediate family dynamics, though sources describe a disciplined upbringing in suburban New Jersey amid the challenges faced by Haitian diaspora communities in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s.[7]

Education and early influences

Pras Michel, born Prakazrel Samuel Michel on October 19, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York, to Haitian immigrant parents, developed an early interest in music while being raised in Irvington, New Jersey.[10] His Haitian heritage shaped his artistic perspective, influencing themes of resilience and identity in his later work.[11] During high school at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, Michel met Lauryn Hill at age 15, forming a key early musical connection that laid the groundwork for the Fugees.[12] In 1988, he introduced Hill to his cousin Wyclef Jean, prompting initial rehearsals under the guidance of Kool and the Gang's manager, which marked the beginning of their collaborative influences in hip-hop and reggae fusion.[13] Michel pursued higher education concurrently with his emerging music career, attending Rutgers University-Newark from 1990 to 1992.[14] He also studied at Yale University, where he contributed verses and hooks to the Fugees' debut album Blunted on Reality (1994), while pursuing studies in philosophy and psychology.[15] His academic focus on these disciplines reflected an intellectual approach to music, blending analytical reasoning with creative expression.[16] Early musical influences included rock and pop acts such as the Eagles and Phil Collins, which contrasted with the hip-hop scene and contributed to the Fugees' eclectic sound incorporating soul, reggae, and R&B elements.[17] These formative experiences in education and personal networks fostered Michel's role as a foundational member of the group, emphasizing lyrical depth over mainstream rap conventions.

Professional career

Music career

Pras Michel, born Prakazrel Samuel Michel, emerged in the hip hop scene as a founding member and rapper of the Fugees, a trio formed in 1990 in South Orange, New Jersey, with his cousin Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. The group blended hip hop, reggae, soul, and socially conscious lyrics, releasing their debut album Blunted on Reality on September 13, 1994, via Ruffhouse/Columbia Records, which peaked at number 49 on the Billboard 200 but faced production disputes leading to re-release with reworked tracks.[18] The Fugees achieved breakthrough success with their second album, The Score, released on February 13, 1996, which sold over 17 million copies worldwide, topped the Billboard 200 for three non-consecutive weeks, and earned Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1997.[18][19] Michel contributed key verses, such as on "Ready or Not" and "Fu-Gee-La," and co-produced tracks, helping the album's fusion of samples and live instrumentation propel hits like the Roberta Flack cover "Killing Me Softly."[19] After the Fugees entered an indefinite hiatus in 1997 amid internal tensions, Michel launched his solo career with the album Ghetto Supastar, released on July 14, 1998, featuring reggae and hip hop influences with guests including The Rock Steady Crew and Mýa. The title track, "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" with Ol' Dirty Bastard and Mýa, became an international hit, reaching number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 2 in the UK, and earning platinum certification in multiple markets for over 1 million units sold in the US alone.[20][21] Michel's subsequent solo releases included Win Lose or Draw in 2005, which incorporated electronic and dance elements but achieved modest commercial impact compared to his Fugees work, and sporadic collaborations such as production on tracks for other artists and features in hip hop compilations. His output emphasized entrepreneurial production alongside rapping, though solo efforts did not replicate the group's commercial peaks.[22]

The Fugees era

Pras Michel co-founded the hip-hop group the Fugees in 1990 in South Orange, New Jersey, alongside Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill, initially operating under the name Tranzlator Crew.[23] The trio drew from reggae, soul, and hip-hop influences, with Michel contributing as a rapper and co-producer, helping shape their eclectic sound that blended multilingual lyrics and live instrumentation.[23] Their debut album, Blunted on Reality, recorded in 1992 and released on January 31, 1994, via Ruffhouse/Columbia Records, featured raw, politically charged tracks like "Nappy Heads" but achieved only modest commercial success, eventually selling approximately 1.3 million copies worldwide after later gaining traction.[22] The Fugees achieved breakthrough success with their second album, The Score, released on February 13, 1996, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and produced hits including "Fu-Gee-La," "Ready or Not," and a cover of "Killing Me Softly with His Song."[19] Michel co-wrote and performed on key tracks, emphasizing themes of refugee experiences and social struggle reflective of their Haitian-American roots, contributing to the album's global appeal and sales exceeding 20 million copies.[19] At the 1997 Grammy Awards, The Score won Best Rap Album, while "Killing Me Softly" earned Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, marking the group's peak influence in mainstreaming hip-hop fusion.[19] Internal tensions, including personal relationships and creative differences—particularly Wyclef Jean's affair with Hill, who was involved with Rohan Marley—led to the group's effective disbandment by 1997, though no formal announcement was made at the time.[24] Michel later reflected on the era as foundational to his career, highlighting the collaborative dynamics that fueled their rapid rise but ultimately fractured under fame's pressures.[25]

Solo recordings and collaborations

Pras Michel released his debut solo studio album, Ghetto Supastar, on July 28, 1998, through Ruffhouse and Columbia Records.[26] The album's title track, "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)", featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard and Mýa and sampling Diana Ross's "Ease on Down the Road", became an international hit, peaking at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.[20][27] Other singles from the album included "Blue Angels", which reached number 79 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "What'cha Wanna Do".[21] Despite the lead single's success, the album itself achieved modest commercial performance, selling fewer than 500,000 copies in the US.[28] Michel's second studio album, Win, Lose or Draw, followed on August 16, 2005, via Universal Records.[29] The project featured the lead single "Haven't Found", released on June 16, 2005, but lacked significant chart impact or widespread critical acclaim, reflecting a shift toward more introspective and production-heavy tracks compared to his debut.[28] Beyond his solo releases, Michel pursued notable collaborations, including a featured verse on Dante Thomas's "Miss California" in 2001, which peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart and gained traction in Europe through its blend of R&B and hip-hop elements.[30] He also contributed to Toshinobu Kubota's "Never Turn Back" in 2000 and supported Dede's "Turn You On" in 2007, extending his production and lyrical input into pop and R&B crossovers.[28] These efforts highlighted Michel's versatility but did not replicate the breakout momentum of his early solo work.

Film and acting roles

Pras Michel began exploring acting in the late 1990s, transitioning from his primary role as a musician with the Fugees to on-screen appearances in feature films, often in supporting or ensemble parts within hip-hop, comedy, and action genres.[31] His film debut came in the 1999 superhero comedy Mystery Men, where he portrayed Tony C, a member of a ragtag team of amateur crime-fighters led by Hank Azaria's character. The film, directed by Kinka Usher, featured a cast including Ben Stiller and Janeane Garofalo, and Michel was credited under his full name, Prakazrel Michel.[32] In 2000, he took a lead role as Diamond (also known as Denzel) in Turn It Up, a crime drama centered on an aspiring DJ entangled in diamond smuggling, which he co-produced alongside Ja Rule and others.[33] Subsequent roles included Ed Green in the 2001 urban drama Higher Ed, which explored college life and relationships among young adults.[34] He appeared as Sandman in the 2007 ensemble comedy Go Go Tales, directed by Abel Ferrara, depicting the chaotic operations of a New York strip club.[35] That same year, Michel played the character Electric in Feel the Noise, a musical drama about a New York rapper relocating to Puerto Rico.[34] In 2008, he portrayed Captain Michaels, a military officer, in the science-fiction action film Mutant Chronicles, set in a dystopian alternate 28th century where humanity battles mechanical forces.[36] Earlier low-budget projects included a role in the 2000 mockumentary Da Hip Hop Witch, a parody of Blair Witch Project involving rap artists searching for a mythical figure.[37] Michel also starred in Go for Broke (2002), an independent film about aspiring filmmakers navigating urban challenges.[37] His acting credits are sporadic, often overlapping with production work, and do not extend significantly into television scripted roles, where appearances were primarily as himself on programs like The Daily Show.[35]

Other media and production work

Pras Michel has produced several documentaries and television projects. He served as producer on the 2015 documentary Sweet Micky for President, which details the 2010–2011 Haitian presidential campaign of musician Michel Martelly and earned the Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Trinidad and Tobago International Film Festival.[38] In television production, Michel contributed as a producer to the web series The Bay, earning a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series in 2017.[26][39] He developed an untitled television drama series announced in December 2017, drawing from the real-life operations of the New York Police Department's Rap Intelligence Unit, formed in response to the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., in partnership with Polygram Entertainment.[40] As of October 2025, Michel is co-producing a feature-length documentary with Mark Wahlberg chronicling his career with the Fugees and his federal conviction related to the 1MDB scandal.[41]

Political involvement

Activism and international efforts

Pras Michel, a Haitian-American, has directed activism toward political and social issues in Haiti, particularly in the wake of the 2010 earthquake that killed over 200,000 people and displaced 1.5 million. He co-produced the 2015 documentary Sweet Micky for President, which details his return to Haiti to support musician Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly's presidential bid against establishment candidates.[42] The film portrays Michel's grassroots mobilization efforts, including rallies and voter outreach, to promote Martelly's campaign amid electoral instability and recovery challenges, culminating in Martelly's victory on March 20, 2011.[43] [44] In August 2010, Michel criticized former Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean's presidential candidacy, arguing that Jean violated Haiti's constitution by not residing in the country for the required five consecutive years immediately preceding the election.[45] This stance, voiced in media interviews, underscored Michel's emphasis on adherence to legal frameworks for democratic legitimacy in Haiti.[46] Michel has advocated for Haiti's reconstruction through political empowerment rather than perpetual aid dependency, stating in a 2015 interview that portraying the nation solely as a "charity case" undermines its agency.[47] His efforts reflect a focus on causal factors like governance reform to address root issues of instability and poverty, drawing from his personal ties as the son of Haitian immigrants.[48] On the international front, Michel visited internally displaced persons camps in northern Iraq on July 15, 2015, to highlight the plight of refugees fleeing ISIS violence, including Yazidis and others amid the displacement of over 3 million people.[49] This trip aimed to leverage his platform for awareness of humanitarian crises beyond Haiti.

Foreign lobbying activities

Prakazrel "Pras" Michel engaged in undisclosed lobbying efforts on behalf of foreign interests, primarily between 2017 and 2018, as part of schemes orchestrated with Malaysian financier Jho Low, who was linked to the 1MDB embezzlement scandal. Michel received substantial payments, estimated by prosecutors at up to $100 million from Low, to influence U.S. government officials without registering as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).[50] These activities included attempts to persuade the Trump administration's Department of Justice to halt investigations into Low and the 1MDB fund, from which Low was accused of stealing over $4.5 billion.[51] A key component involved back-channel communications with senior U.S. officials, including then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other Trump administration figures, to drop the 1MDB probe in exchange for favorable actions toward Low. Michel leveraged his celebrity status and connections, such as arranging meetings and providing information to U.S. policymakers, while concealing the foreign origins of his directives and funding.[52] Concurrently, at Low's behest and in coordination with a Chinese government official, Michel participated in efforts to facilitate the removal or extradition of Chinese dissident Guo Wengui from the United States, where Guo had asylum status and was critical of the Chinese Communist Party. This included collaborating with Elliott Broidy, a Republican fundraiser, to lobby for Guo's expulsion by portraying him as a national security threat.[53] Michel's failure to disclose these activities led to his conviction on April 26, 2023, on multiple counts, including conspiracy, acting as an unregistered foreign agent under 18 U.S.C. § 951, and FARA violations, following a federal jury trial in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors emphasized that Michel acted as an agent of the Chinese government in the Guo Wengui scheme without notifying the U.S. Attorney General, marking a rare criminal enforcement of FARA-related statutes.[54] Michel has maintained that he lacked intent to violate laws and received poor legal advice, but the jury rejected defenses centered on his naivety regarding foreign influence regulations.[55]

Legal challenges

Indictment and specific charges

Prakazrel Michel, professionally known as Pras, was indicted on May 10, 2019, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on four felony counts related to a scheme to funnel illegal foreign contributions into Barack Obama's 2012 presidential reelection campaign.[56] The charges stemmed from Michel's alleged conspiracy with Malaysian financier Jho Low to disguise approximately $21.6 million in foreign funds as domestic contributions, using straw donors and shell companies to violate federal election laws.[56] Specifically, Count 1 charged conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371 to defraud the United States by impairing the lawful functions of the Federal Election Commission (FEC); Count 2 charged false statements to the FEC under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1001 and 2; and Counts 3 and 4 charged causing false entries in FEC records under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 and 2, including falsified reports on June 3, 2013, and a June 15, 2015, declaration concealing Low as the true source of funds.[56] A superseding indictment filed on June 10, 2021, expanded the allegations to ten counts encompassing three distinct schemes spanning June 2012 to May 2019, involving Michel's receipt of millions from Low and others for illicit lobbying and influence efforts. The first scheme reiterated the 2012 Obama campaign contributions, alleging Michel directed over $860,000 in disguised funds through intermediaries to influence U.S. policy on Malaysian matters. The second scheme accused Michel of back-channel lobbying during the Trump administration to persuade the Department of Justice to drop its 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) probe into Low, including payments exceeding $70 million to Elliott Broidy, a Trump fundraiser, via shell entities and unreported consultations. The third scheme involved Michel acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the People's Republic of China, receiving funds to disseminate non-public U.S. government information, influence an extradition request, and secure the release of sensitive recordings of a U.S. official. The superseding indictment charged Michel with one overarching count of conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371; three counts of acting as an unregistered agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), 22 U.S.C. § 618; one count of money laundering conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h); one count of witness tampering under 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(3); scheme-related false statements and records violations under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1001, 1519, and 2; and failures to register under FARA. [54] These charges alleged Michel concealed his foreign principal relationships, laundered funds through domestic wires and checks, and tampered with witnesses to obstruct investigations into the schemes. The U.S. Department of Justice described the activities as efforts to corrupt U.S. political processes through undisclosed foreign influence, with Michel facing potential decades in prison if convicted on all counts.

Trial proceedings

The federal trial of Prakazrel "Pras" Michel began on March 27, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before Judge Amit P. Mehta.[57][12] The proceedings stemmed from Michel's indictment on charges related to illegal foreign lobbying and campaign finance violations, with prosecutors alleging he orchestrated schemes involving Malaysian financier Jho Low and Chinese interests to influence U.S. policy and elections.[50] Prosecutors presented evidence that Michel received approximately $88 million from Low, much of it laundered through straw donors to exceed federal campaign contribution limits during Barack Obama's 2012 reelection, totaling over $21 million in illegal contributions.[50] They further claimed Michel acted as an unregistered foreign agent, arranging back-channel communications to drop a U.S. probe into Low's role in the 1MDB scandal and to repatriate a Chinese dissident while suppressing negative media coverage of China.[58] Key prosecution witnesses included actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who testified on April 3, 2023, about receiving $30 million from Low for a film project involving Michel, without awareness of illicit origins.[59] Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions appeared, describing unsolicited meetings arranged by Michel with then-President-elect Donald Trump in 2016 to discuss Malaysian extradition efforts.[60] The three-week trial featured testimony from over 20 witnesses, including White House officials and Low's associates, with prosecutors emphasizing Michel's financial motivations and failure to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Michel's defense, led by attorney David Kenner, argued that his actions constituted legitimate political consulting and did not violate disclosure laws, portraying the schemes as informal networking rather than covert influence operations.[7] Evidence included wire transfers, text messages, and recordings demonstrating Michel's coordination with foreign entities.[51] Closing arguments concluded on April 24, 2023, after which the case was submitted to the jury for deliberation.[61] Throughout the proceedings, Michel remained in custody, having been detained pretrial following his 2019 indictment and a 2021 bail revocation.[3]

Conviction, appeals, and defenses

On April 26, 2023, a federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia convicted Prakazrel Michel, professionally known as Pras, on all ten felony counts charged in a multiyear conspiracy involving unregistered foreign lobbying and violations of federal election laws.[3] The convictions encompassed one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, two counts under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), one count of concealing material facts, three counts of making false statements and entries in records, and three counts related to witness tampering and scheme to conceal.[62] These stemmed from Michel's alleged coordination with Malaysian financier Jho Low—linked to the multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) embezzlement—to influence U.S. policy, including efforts to quash a 1MDB probe, secure the return of Chinese assets held by the Justice Department, and sway investigations via back-channel communications with executive branch officials during both the Obama and Trump administrations.[3] Post-conviction, Michel pursued appeals and collateral relief, primarily alleging ineffective assistance of trial counsel. In October 2023, his attorney David Kenner admitted under oath to using ChatGPT—a generative AI tool—to generate portions of the defense's closing argument without informing Michel, co-counsel, or the court, prompting claims of substandard representation that hallucinated non-existent case law.[63] Michel also cited additional trial errors, such as inadequate challenges to evidentiary rulings and failure to properly contest the government's interpretation of FARA's scope.[64] On August 30, 2024, Judge Amit Mehta denied Michel's motion for a new trial, determining that the AI-generated content did not introduce fabricated authorities prejudicial to the outcome and that no cumulative errors warranted reversal.[65] As of October 2025, Michel's direct appeal remains pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, with him released on bond.[5] Throughout proceedings and public statements, Michel's defenses emphasized his lack of criminal intent, portraying his actions as extensions of legitimate advocacy, humanitarian efforts, and personal business transactions rather than knowing participation in foreign influence schemes.[66] He argued that funds received from Low were loans repaid through music royalties and that interactions with officials involved permissible access-seeking, not bribery or concealment, while challenging FARA's application as unconstitutionally vague in criminalizing informal political consulting without explicit agency agreements.[5] Michel has described himself as an unwitting participant manipulated by Low, stating in a November 2024 interview, "I never wanted to be a spy," and framing the case as prosecutorial overreach against activism tied to anti-corruption and dissident support causes.[66] Despite these assertions, the jury rejected defenses of good faith and ignorance, finding evidence of deliberate evasion of registration and disclosure requirements sufficient for guilt on all counts.[62]

Sentencing delays and health issues

Michel's sentencing hearing, originally anticipated after his conviction in April 2023, encountered significant postponements primarily due to his sudden health crisis in late August 2025.[67] On August 28, 2025, he underwent emergency surgery to excise colon cancer, preventing his attendance at the scheduled proceeding the following day.[68][69] A spokesperson for Michel stated that he "missed Friday's sentencing hearing while undergoing emergency surgery for colon cancer removal," affirming family support amid recovery.[67] The court rescheduled the hearing for October 3, 2025, yet it did not proceed as planned, with additional postponements linked to his ongoing medical needs; as of mid-October 2025, no firm new date had been established.[41][70] These health-induced delays compounded the protracted timeline since conviction, during which Michel's legal team pursued appeals challenging the verdict on grounds including prosecutorial overreach and evidentiary issues, though pre-cancer postponements were not explicitly tied to medical factors in court records.[71] The colon cancer diagnosis, at age 52, represents his publicly disclosed major health challenge, with reports emphasizing the procedure's urgency to address the malignancy.[72]

Personal life

Relationships and family

Pras Michel has one known child, a son named Landon Michel, born around 2011, with his former girlfriend Angela Severiano.[73][74] The couple's relationship has been marked by ongoing legal disputes over child support obligations. In 2014, Severiano publicly stated that she and their son resided in a small fifth-floor apartment in Manhattan while Michel maintained a more affluent lifestyle, prompting court proceedings to adjust support payments.[74] By 2015, Michel's child support was set at $4,800 per month, amid claims from his legal team that evidence supported Severiano's existing receipts.[73] Further hearings in 2019 addressed Michel's request to reduce payments following federal asset seizures related to unrelated legal matters, with threats of arrest for non-appearance.[75] As of September 2022, Michel reportedly owed approximately $127,000 in arrears for Landon's support, despite owning valuable assets such as a $10 million watch collection, according to court revelations during family proceedings in Manhattan.[76] Severiano's attorney has accused Michel of attempting to conceal income to minimize obligations.[76] Little public information exists regarding Michel's other personal relationships or extended family, as he has maintained privacy on such matters. He was born Prakazrel Samuel Michel to Haitian-American parents in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Irvington, New Jersey, but details about siblings or parental figures remain undisclosed in available records.

Health and recent personal developments

In August 2025, Pras Michel underwent emergency surgery on August 28 to remove colon cancer, which necessitated the postponement of his scheduled federal sentencing hearing the following day.[69][68] The procedure was confirmed by his spokesperson, who noted it directly impacted his court appearance, with the hearing rescheduled to October 3, 2025.[67] This health event marked a significant personal challenge amid ongoing legal proceedings, though no prior public disclosures of the condition had been reported.[6] In October 2025, Michel entered into a production deal with actor Mark Wahlberg for a feature-length documentary chronicling his life, career with the Fugees, and the circumstances surrounding his 2023 conviction on federal conspiracy charges related to the 1MDB scandal.[41] The project aims to provide Michel's perspective on the events, with Wahlberg involved in development to highlight his narrative from music success to legal entanglements.[77] This collaboration represents a recent effort by Michel to shape public understanding of his experiences through media, distinct from his prior filmography.

Works and output

Discography

Studio albums

Pras Michel debuted as a solo artist with Ghetto Supastar, released on October 27, 1998, by Ruffhouse and Columbia Records, featuring collaborations with artists such as Mýa, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and Lady Saw; the album peaked at number 35 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA.[21] His second studio album, Win Lose or Draw, followed on August 16, 2005, via New Noize, but received limited commercial attention and no RIAA certification.[78][79]

EPs and singles

Pras released the EP Blue Angels on September 9, 1998, containing four tracks as a promotional precursor to his debut album. The Wave Culture EP appeared in 2018, marking a return after over a decade, with tracks including "Flicker 2.0."[80] Notable singles include "Avenues," released in 1997 via Columbia Records, which reached number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the lead single "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" from 1998, featuring Mýa and Ol' Dirty Bastard, topping the Hot Rap Songs chart and peaking at number 15 on the Hot 100.[21] "What'cha Wanna Do" followed in 1999, charting modestly on rap singles lists.[21] Later singles encompass "Turn You On" in 2019 and "march" in 2023, both independent releases with minimal chart impact.[81][82]

Studio albums

Pras's debut solo studio album, Ghetto Supastar, was released on October 6, 1998, by Ruffhouse Records. The project featured collaborations with artists including Ol' Dirty Bastard, Mýa, and Free, and included the lead single "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)", which reached number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earned platinum certification from the RIAA.[83][27] His second studio album, Win, Lose or Draw, followed on August 16, 2005, via Universal Music Group. Recorded primarily at Platinum Studios in New York, it spanned 16 tracks blending hip-hop with pop-rap elements but received limited commercial promotion and did not chart prominently on major US albums lists.[84][85]
TitleRelease dateLabelPeak chart position (Billboard 200)
Ghetto SupastarOctober 6, 1998Ruffhouse/Columbia41
Win, Lose or DrawAugust 16, 2005Universal Music GroupDid not chart

EPs and singles

Pras released one notable EP as a solo artist, Wave Culture, on May 22, 2018, consisting of six tracks including "Lionel Richie", "Lajan" featuring Zoey Dollaz, "Old Ye", "Wave Culture" featuring Steph Lecor, "Water Boy", and "Pump Fakin" featuring Young M.A..[86][87] His solo singles achieved varying commercial success, with the most prominent from his debut album era. "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)", featuring Mya and Ol' Dirty Bastard and released in July 1998, peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.[88][89] An earlier single, "Avenues" as part of Refugee Camp All Stars, was issued in 1997 and marked his initial solo charting entry.[21] Subsequent singles included "What'cha Wanna Do" featuring the Product G&B and T-Boz from the 1998 album, alongside later independent releases such as "Flicker 2.0" in 2018, "Superstar" in 2024, and "KeRoWe" in 2025.[90][91]

Filmography and documentaries

Pras Michel began his acting career with a supporting role as Tony C in the superhero comedy Mystery Men (1999), directed by Kinka Usher, where he portrayed one of the unconventional crime-fighters alongside Hank Azaria and Janeane Garofalo.[32] He took a lead role as Diamond, a rapper entangled in crime, in the hip-hop drama Turn It Up (2000), directed by Robert Adetuyi, and served as co-producer on the project, which featured cameos from other musicians and focused on the music industry.[33] Additional film credits include Captain Michaels in the science-fiction action film Mutant Chronicles (2008), directed by Simon Fellows, a post-apocalyptic story based on a role-playing game.[36]
YearTitleRoleNotes
1999Mystery MenTony CActor
2000Turn It UpDiamondActor, co-producer
2008Mutant ChroniclesCaptain MichaelsActor
Michel has also been involved in documentaries, often drawing from personal experiences. In Skid Row (2007), directed by Marshall Tyler, he undertook a nine-day immersion living undercover as a homeless individual in Los Angeles' Skid Row district, using a single dollar per day to highlight issues of urban poverty and addiction, with the film capturing raw interactions and his shifting perspectives.[92] He produced and featured prominently in Sweet Micky for President (2015), directed by Ben Patterson, which documents his post-2010 Haiti earthquake efforts to back musician Michel Martelly's unlikely presidential bid, mobilizing grassroots support amid political turmoil and electoral challenges.[42] As of October 2025, a feature documentary on Michel's life—from his Fugees tenure to his federal conviction—is in production, co-produced with Mark Wahlberg, focusing on his career trajectory and legal battles.[93]

References

  1. Prakazrel "Pras" Michel | Artist - GRAMMY.com
  2. Pras – Top Songs as Writer – Music VF, US & UK hit charts
  3. U.S. Entertainer Convicted of Engaging in Foreign Influence ...
  4. The Fugees' Pras Michel Produces New Documentary About Haitian ...
  5. Fugees Founder Pras Michél Speaks Out While Facing 22 Years in ...
  6. Pras Michel Sentencing Delayed After Rapper's Cancer Surgery
  7. The Feds Say Pras Is a Foreign Agent. Now the Fugee Tells His Side
  8. US-China 1MDB Scandal Pits FBI Against Former Fugee Pras Michel
  9. How a Former Fugee Helped Elect the President of Haiti
  10. Pras Biography: Age, Net Worth, Career Highlights & More - Mabumbe
  11. Fugees founder Pras Michel on how his Haitian roots influenced his ...
  12. Inside the wild federal trial of the Fugees' Pras that begins Monday
  13. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2019684684944005/posts/4218376435074808/
  14. Fugees Founder and Social Activist to Meet With Students
  15. Yale Sustainable Music Project - Yale Daily News
  16. Happy Birthday, Pras! - XXL Mag
  17. The Fugees: Leaders of the New Cool - Rolling Stone
  18. The Score: Producers Look Back At The Fugees' Final Album
  19. For The Record: How The Fugees Settled 'The Score' 25 Years Ago
  20. Pras Michel | Biography, Music & News | Billboard
  21. Pras Top Songs - Greatest Hits and Chart Singles Discography
  22. Fugees albums and songs sales - ChartMasters
  23. The Fugees | American music group - Britannica
  24. The Real Reason The Fugees Broke Up - Grunge
  25. Pras Michel Interview: Talks The Return of The Fugees - Billboard
  26. About - Pras Michel
  27. GHETTO SUPASTAR (THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE) - Official Charts
  28. Pras Michel :: Win Lose or Draw - RapReviews
  29. https://www.discogs.com/master/144247-Pras-Michel-Win-Lose-Or-Draw
  30. Wythenshawe FM Radio (97.2FM), DAB & Smartspeaker on X ...
  31. Pras Michel - IMDb
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132347/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0216772/
  34. Pras Michel Filmography and Movies | Fandango
  35. Pras Michel - TV Guide
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490181/
  37. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/61649-pras-michel
  38. POLYGRAM ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES UNTITLED PRAS ...
  39. Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Trial: How His Charges Involve ... - Forbes
  40. Pras to Helm TV Series Inspired by Real-Life Stories of Hip-Hop Cops
  41. Mark Wahlberg Teams With Pras Michél on Documentary ... - Variety
  42. Sweet Micky for President (2015) - IMDb
  43. Review: 'Sweet Micky for President': How a Pop Star Came to Lead ...
  44. That Time Wyclef Jean Ran For President Of Haiti : NPR
  45. Ex-bandmate criticises Wyclef Jean | Human Rights - Al Jazeera
  46. Hip-hop star talks Haiti politics - Yale Daily News
  47. Pras Michel on the Rise of Sweet Micky and Rebuilding a Broken Haiti
  48. Sweet Micky for President | Roco Films
  49. Pras Michel visits refugee camps in Iraq - YouTube
  50. Feds: Fugees rapper Pras Michel ran global influence-peddling ...
  51. Fugees rapper convicted in US over lobbying campaigns ... - Reuters
  52. Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Found Guilty in Illegal Foreign Influence ...
  53. Fugees' Pras Michel found guilty of illegal lobbying - BBC
  54. DOJ Successfully Prosecutes Pras Michel for FARA Violations
  55. https://www.globalinvestigationsreview.com/just-anti-corruption/article/defence-pras-michel-didnt-intentionally-skirt-fara-laws
  56. [PDF] Michel et. al. Indictment - Department of Justice
  57. Rapper Pras Michel stands trial for conspiracy charges - NPR
  58. Prosecutors say Pras Michel broke the law 'to get paid' - NPR
  59. Leonardo DiCaprio testifies at trial of Fugees' Pras Michel - ABC News
  60. Rapper Pras Michel found guilty on all 10 counts in ... - CBS News
  61. What you need to know as the Pras Michel case goes to the jury - CNN
  62. Fugees' rapper Pras Michel convicted in foreign influence case - NPR
  63. Convicted Fugees rapper says ex-lawyer bungled defense with AI ...
  64. Pras blames AI for guilty verdict. Does he have a point?
  65. Judge rejects claims that generative AI tanked political conspiracy ...
  66. Fugees co-founder breaks silence on possible 22-year prison ...
  67. Fugees' Pras Michel Has Emergency Colon Cancer Surgery ...
  68. Fugees' Pras Michel Has Colon Cancer Surgery, Delaying Sentencing
  69. Pras Michel's Sentencing Delayed After He Has Emergency Surgery
  70. Pras Michel Teams Up With Mark Wahlberg For Documentary About ...
  71. Pras Michel Will Be Focus of New Mark Wahlberg ... - Rolling Stone
  72. Fugees Rapper Pras' Sentencing in Conspiracy Case Delayed...
  73. Fugee rapper Pras has hazy memory of only child at hearing
  74. Son of Fugees rapper lives in a 'shoebox' - Page Six
  75. Pras Michel threatened with arrest if he skips another child support ...
  76. Pras Michel tried to hide money to reduce child support: ex-wife's ...
  77. Pras Michel's Story, From Fugees Rapper to Spy Charges, Will Be ...
  78. Pras Albums and Discography - Genius
  79. Pras Michel | TheAudioDB.com
  80. Pras on Amazon Music Unlimited
  81. Pras - YouTube Music
  82. Pras Discography - Download Albums in Hi-Res - Qobuz
  83. Ghetto Supastar by Pras (Album, Pop Rap): Reviews, Ratings ...
  84. Win Lose or Draw - Pras Michel, Pras | Album - AllMusic
  85. https://www.discogs.com/release/1766854-Pras-Michel-Win-Lose-Or-Draw
  86. Stream Pras' 'Wave Culture' EP Featuring Young M.A and More
  87. Wave Culture - EP - Album by Pras - Apple Music
  88. Week of October 10, 1998 - Billboard Hot 100™
  89. The story behind Pras, Mýa, and ODB's “Ghetto Supastar” - Revolt TV
  90. Pras Michel
  91. Pras | Spotify
  92. Skid Row (2007) - IMDb
  93. Fugees' Pras Michél Documentary in the Works From Mark Wahlberg
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