Net Worth Ranker
What Is Pras Michel’s Net Worth?
Pras Michel, an American rap artist, producer, and actor, has accumulated a significant net worth of $20 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to his successful career as a member of the hip-hop group The Fugees, along with his solo music endeavors, acting roles, and film production ventures.
The Fugees and Solo Music Career
Pras Michel gained prominence as a key member of The Fugees, alongside Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. The group’s second album, “The Score,” released in 1996, achieved phenomenal success, selling over 22 million copies worldwide. The album’s commercial triumph translated into substantial earnings for Pras, contributing significantly to his overall wealth. In 1997, “The Score” won two Grammy Awards, further enhancing Pras’s reputation and financial prospects within the music industry. While specific royalty splits and individual earnings from album sales are not publicly disclosed, the multi-platinum status of “The Score” undoubtedly generated substantial income for each member of The Fugees.
Beyond his work with The Fugees, Pras Michel embarked on a solo career, releasing notable hits such as “Ghetto Superstar” featuring Mya and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. This single achieved top-ten status in 1999 and was featured in the movie “Bulworth.” The song’s success in the United Kingdom, where it reached the number-two spot in 1998, indicates a broad international appeal, generating revenue through sales, airplay, and licensing agreements. While the exact sales figures and royalties earned from “Ghetto Superstar” remain private, its widespread popularity suggests a significant contribution to Pras’s income.
Pras also contributed to Wyclef Jean’s hit album “The Carnival” with the song “We Are Trying to Stay Alive.” While specific earnings from this collaboration are not available, featuring on a successful album like “The Carnival” would have provided Pras with additional income through royalties and performance fees. Over the years, Pras continued to work with The Fugees while also cultivating his solo career. During the 2000s, he collaborated with DeDe to release “Turn On You,” and he also collaborated with Swami on his album “Equalize.”
Acting and Film Production
Pras Michel expanded his career into acting, appearing in several films throughout the years. His film debut was a cameo appearance in “Mystery Men,” which sparked his interest in pursuing acting more actively. In 2000, he starred in the movie “Turn It Up.” Though it had a low approval rating and generated just $1.2 million on a budget of $13 million. Michel appeared in “Higher Ed” in 2002. That year, he also appeared in the film “Go For Broke” and acted as a producer. The film roles, while not always commercially successful, provided additional income streams for Pras. In 2006, he created a documentary called “Skid Row, Los Angeles,” which focused on his experiences posing as a homeless person in Los Angeles. In 2009, he released a documentary called “Paper Dreams,” which focused on the pirate problem in Somalia. During filming, his boat was invaded, and he was taken hostage by pirates. The documentary was never released. Another documentary was released in 2015, entitled “Sweet Micky For President,” focusing on the struggles of Michel Martelly as he attempted to become President of Haiti. This was eventually released in 2015 at the Slamdance Music Festival. Earnings from acting and film production, while variable, have contributed to his overall financial portfolio.
1MDB Scandal and Legal Issues
Pras Michel’s financial standing has been significantly impacted by his involvement in the 1MDB scandal. The US government seized $95 million from his accounts, alleging that the funds originated from Jho Low, the central figure in the 1MDB fraud. These funds were allegedly used to finance an illegal lobbying effort to halt the Justice Department’s investigation into 1MDB. The legal proceedings and asset seizures have undoubtedly strained Pras Michel’s financial resources, potentially diminishing his net worth.
It was also alleged that Jho Low sent Pras $21 million at one point, and at least $2 million of those funds were then used to support President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign. In 2021, Federal prosecutors charged Pras Michel with ten offenses, including witness tampering and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. Legal fees associated with defending himself against these charges would have further impacted his net worth.
Early Life and Education
Born on October 19, 1972, in New York City, Prakazrel Samuel Michel was raised in Irvington, New Jersey. During his teen years, he and Lauryn Hill attended the same high school together in Maplewood. By the late 80s, Pras and Lauryn had connected with Wyclef Jean. During his blossoming music career, Michel was attending Rutgers and Yale, working on a double-major in Philosophy and Psychology.
Real Estate and Personal Life
In 2014, it was reported that Pras was involved in a $2.2 billion bid to buy New York’s Plaza Hotel. Pras joined celebrities like David Sugarman to form a group that submitted the bid together. The seller was no other than Subrata Roy, who was serving a prison sentence at the time. Despite this investment, Pras was actually renting at the time, reportedly spending five figures per month on homes in Soho and Los Angeles.
In 2014, it was reported that Severiano was taking Pras to court in an effort to raise her child support payments from $3,000 per month to $7,000 per month. At the time, court documents revealed that Pras was earning about $1 million per year.
