Pras

This article is about Pras, the musical artist. For the computer science concept "polynomial-time randomized approximation scheme" or PRAS, see polynomial-time approximation scheme.

Pras
Birth name	Praskazrel Samuel Michel
Born	(1972-10-19) October 19, 1972 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genres	Hip hop, soul, reggae,
Occupations	Rapper, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger
Instruments	keyboards, sampler
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Columbia, Ruffhouse, Guerrilla Entertainment
Associated acts	Fugees, Refugee Camp All-Stars

Praskazrel Samuel Michel, known as Pras, (/ˈprɑːz/; born October 19, 1972) is a two-time Grammy-winning American rapper, best known as one of the founding members of the critically acclaimed hip hop group, the Fugees, which included his cousin Wyclef Jean and recording artist Lauryn Hill.

Biography

Early life

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Pras cultivated an early interest in music. When he was 15, Pras met Lauryn Hill. In 1988, Pras introduced Lauryn to Wyclef Jean. Pras Michel, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn 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).

Music career

In 1994, before and during the time that The Fugees were recording their first album Blunted on Reality, under the supervision of Ronald Khalis Bell, Pras attended Rutgers College and Yale University, pursuing a double major in Philosophy and Psychology. 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; it was received with critical acclaim and 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, 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. Pras also featured on the track "Turn You On" by Swedish artist DeDe which was released in 2007. "Turn You On" was also written and produced by Pras Michel. 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.

Other work

After his cameo debut in the 1999 film, Mystery Men, Pras gained an interest 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. Skid Row was released on August 24, 2007. The film was produced by Teryn Fogel. The experience of living on the street inspired Pras to launch prAsperity project in May 2007. prAsperity project is a non-profit organization that jump-starts awareness and solutions for intractable problems affecting the human condition.

In 2008, Pras launched a new media marketing company called Platinum Brand, a global provider of Internet video solutions and services. He publishes and distributes a weekly video blog available on the site.

Discography

Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		US	US R&B
Ghetto Supastar	Released: October 6, 1998 Label: Ruffhouse Format: CD, LP, cassette, digital download	55	35
Win Lose or Draw	Released: August 16, 2005 Label: Universal Format: CD, digital download	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

• "Avenues" (featuring the Refugee Camp All-Stars)
• "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" (featuring ODB and Mýa)
• "Blue Angels" (featuring The Product G&B)
• "What'cha Wanna Do" (featuring The Product G&B and Free)
• "Another One Bites the Dust" (Wyclef Jean and Queen featuring Pras and Free)
• "Haven't Found" (featuring Sharli McQueen)

Featured singles

• 2001: "Miss California" (Dante Thomas featuring Pras)
• 2007: "Turn You On" (Dede featuring Pras)
• 2007: "Pushin'" (Swami featuring Pras and Ishmael)
• 2008: "Le Blues" (Melissa M featuring Pras)
• 2008: "My Man" (Anggun featuring Pras)
• 2010: "Watch Out" (Jennifer Milan featuring Pras)
• 2012: "Untried" (Linda Kiraly featuring Pras and Rh3)

Acting and producing career

• Mystery Men (1999) – Tony C (credited as Prakazrel Michel)
• Turn It Up (2000) - Denzel/Diamond (credited as Pras Michel) (co-producer)
• 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)
• The Mutant Chronicles (2007) - Captain Michaels (producer)

External links

• Pras' MySpace page
• Platinum Brand and Pras' video blog
• Rolling Stone page
• MTV artist page
• iMusic Urban Showcase artist page
• Pras Michel's interview with Tavis Smiley on PBS, August 20, 2007 – Pras discusses Skid Row the movie, homelessness & the possibility of a Fugees comeback
• PrAsperity Project
• Pras Michel's filmography at the Internet Movie Database