Since stepping away from the successful hip hop group Pras Michel (simply known as Pras) has made his own identity in hip hop.
This summer Pras released his EP Wave Culture which is a follow up to his 2005 album Win Lose or Draw. Aside from his musical projects Pras has also dedicated time to various film projects (including film he produced called Sweet Mickey For President) having launched his own production company Prasperity Group.
The Knockturnal: How would you describe what Wave Culture is and what it means to you?
Pras: It’s just a vibe, the energy.
The Knockturnal: Why is now the right time for the release of the Wave Culture EP?
Pras: It’s the right time to me because the universe just spoke to me and told me to put it out.
The Knockturnal: How did you get Zoey Dollaz, Young M.A and Steph Lecor on board for the project?
Pras: I mean through different resources. You know Zoey & Steph from the Haitian community….Young M.A one of my boys played her the song and she loved it….it was all organic.
The Knockturnal: Can you describe the concept and the development of the video for “Wave Culture”? What story were you trying to convey to audience?
Pras: The concept is just two individuals just trying to get this bag and to have your partner support you. It’s about gettin’ that bag.
The Knockturnal: With you coming from a group like The Fugees what advice would you give to an artist within a hip hop group today that wants to go solo?
Pras: Make sure you’re fully prepared you know to go solo. At the same time try to see if you can still maintain relationships with your group.
The Knockturnal: It’s been 20 years since you broke out as a solo artist on “Ghetto Superstar,” can you tell us about what you remember about going in to record your verse, and why you felt that was the right song to branch off as a solo artist on? What would you say to your younger self knowing what you know now as a producer and artist?
Pras: The record just felt right when Mya sung the hook energy felt great, it just felt good and you know Ol’ Dirty Bastard added his version it was all around just that energy, felt good about it.
The Knockturnal: Now with your production company Prasperity Group and it’s mission to tell the untold stories of black culture, can you give us an example of a story that needs to be told that you would like to tell but hasn’t been?
Pras: The story about the Freedom House! It’s a story about the first black people that basically started the EMT as we know it today, that story needs to be told! Just like the Hidden Figures Story was told, there are thousands of stories like these.
The Knockturnal: What else can we expect from you?
Pras: Sky’s the limit, everything!
