The Crazy Spy Case of Fugees Founder Pras
Mark Wahlberg and Pras by Erica Dumas
Pras, 53, from Irvington, formed Fugees in 1990 with Wyclef Jean of Newark and Lauryn Hill of East Orange. Their second album, The Score, in 1996, is still one of the best-selling hip-hop albums of all-time. But the rapper now faces 22 years in prison for his part in a labyrinthine criminal corruption case, one of the world’s biggest financial scandals, the looting of $4.5 billion from Malaysia. Convicted in 2023, the story of Pras and his ascent from aspiring Jersey rapper to multi-platinum recording artist and Grammy winner, then his descent into being a convicted felon, fascinated Hollywood heavyweight Mark Wahlberg so much that it’s being made into a movie.
Pras told Tatiana Siegel of Variety, “everyone is fascinated by all the twists and turns, like it’s some kind of thriller. But, for me, this is just my life—the real messy, complicated truth of what I’ve been living through.” Word has it the Wahlberg documentary will include the jury trial of Pras where he was found guilty of conspiracy, witness tampering and failing to register as an agent of China. To complicate matters, Pras has also had surgery for colon cancer.