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

Prakazrel Samuel Michel, known as Pras, (born October 19, 1972) is a Grammy Award-winning Haitian-American rapper, actor, film producer, and member of the hip hop trio The Fugees, considered one of the most influential groups of the 1990s for their album The Score.

Biography

Early life

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Pras cultivated an early interest in music. When he was fifteen, Pras met Lauryn Hill. In 1988, Pras introduced Lauryn to his cousin, Wyclef Jean. Pras Michel, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill began to rehearse under the kindly 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 Kool and the Gang's producer 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 #8 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 number 2 in July 1998, and reached US #15 a month later. "Blue Angels", from the same album, was acknowledged as a UK Top 10 hit, reaching #6 in November of the same year.

Pras also featured on the track 'Turn you on' by Swedish artist DeDe which was released in fall 2007. Turn you on" is also written and produced by Pras Michel. After nine weeks on Swedens single chart the single went #2. Pras and DeDe has been touring/ promoting 'Turn you on' around Sweden and Europe fall 2007 and July/August 2008. He also featured Pushin' from the album Equalize by acclaimed Brit-Asian electro-pop band Swami, which was released in fall 2007.

Pras has won numerous awards - including two Grammys, a Billboard Award, multiple Brit Awards, a World Music Award, a Top of The Pops Award and a Video Music Award.

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/Urban World release "Higher Ed," and "Go For Broke," in which he starred and produced. He is co-starring in three 20th Century Fox films, to be released in 2007–2008 (he is planned to receive producing credit on two of those films). Pras recently finished the film, The Mutant Chronicles.

In 2006, Pras created "Skid Row," 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 devastating reality of homelessness. Skid Row was released in 24 August 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. The organization takes on humanity "projects" as distinct crusades that need attention, working on behalf of established community groups to inject energy and progress towards issues ranging from homelessness to social injustice.

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.

Private life

In January of 2010 the New York Daily News quoted Pras as having said he "If he did, I personally would try to assassinate [former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide]" should the twice democratically elected President return to his home country.

Discography

Solo albums

• 1998: Ghetto Supastar
• 2005: Win Lose or Draw
• 2009: Experience Magic

Solo singles

• 1998: "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" (featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard & Mýa)
• 1998: "Blue Angels"
• 1998: "Another One Bites the Dust" (Queen featuring Wyclef Jean, Pras & Free)
• 1999: "What'cha Wanna Do" (featuring The Product & Free), Remix (featuring Kelis & Clipse)
• 1999: "Avenues" (featuring Refugee Camp Allstars)
• 2001: "Miss California" (Dante Thomas featuring Pras)
• 2005: "Haven't Found"
• 2007: "Turn You On" (DeDe featuring Pras)
• 2007: "Pop Life"
• 2008: "My Ex"

Collaborations

• 2007: Pushin' (Swami featuring Pras and Ishmael)
• 2008: Le blues de toi (Melissa M feat. Pras)
• 2008: Si je t'emmene/My Man (Anggun feat. Pras)

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 (2006) - himself (producer)
• Skid Row - skidrowthemovie.com (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
• Skid Row (official movie site)
• 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