The Fugees May Have Given Their Last Concert At Roots Picnic

The Fugees shut down Roots Picnic in Philadelphia over the weekend. On Saturday night (June 3), festival headliner Ms. Lauryn Hill surprised attendees with an appearance from Fugees groupmates Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel during a six-song set. The group performed their classics including “Ready or Not,” Killing Me Softly,” “Fu-Gee-La” and “How Many Mics.”

While the engagement was originally planned as a 25th-anniversary celebration of Hill’s 1998 solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, The Fugees reunion could mark the trio’s last performance together.

In April, Michel was found guilty on ten federal charges including conspiracy, witness tampering, and failing to register as an agent of China. With the criminal counts, the 50-year-old faces up to 20 years in prison.

Two years prior, The Fugees planned a reunion tour, which was canceled both due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Michel’s alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme. The group split in 1997, with each member pursuing solo careers, including Michel with his 1998 album Ghetto Supastar.

Praising the special Roots Picnic performance was co-founder Questlove, who went to Instagram and recalled The Fugees opening for The Roots at Philadelphia venue The Trocadero in 1993.

“Now 30 years later & look at us now. What a journey,” Questlove continued. “@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 ……in what could possibly be one of the last times we will see this institution together in this setting.”