Back in 2021, the Fugees canceled their planned world tour. But Saturday night in Philadelphia, some lucky fans got to see the legendary group reunite for a surprise performance at the annual Roots Picnic.
Variety reports that Lauryn Hill, who was headlining the event, celebrated the 25th anniversary of her landmark album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill with performances of “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” She then brought her former Fugees bandmates Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel onstage for a six-song set that included “The Score,” “Fu-Gee-La, “Ready or Not” and, of course, “Killing Me Softly.”
Variety reports that the reunion was made possible by The Roots’ Questlove and the group’s manager Shawn Gee. After the event, Questlove took to Instagram to reminisce about how, back in 1993, a then-unknown Fugees opened for The Roots in Philadelphia, in one of their first major gigs since landing their record deal.
He then continued, “Now 30 years later & look at us now. What a journey. @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.”
“I’m giving all the gratitude for making this miracle of a night happen. On what woulda been my father’s 87th birthday,” he concluded.
Variety notes that in April, Pras Michel was convicted on international conspiracy charges and might be facing a long stretch in prison — a fact which makes Questlove’s comment about “one of the last times we see this institution together” ring true.
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