Wyclef talking about Fugees ideas

By Greg McKenzie
Newsbeat reporter Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel sat next to each other on a plane to Haiti

Wyclef Jean says he's talking Fugees ideas after bumping into one of his former bandmates on a flight to Haiti.

The singer hadn't spoken to Pras Michel since the group split up in 2005 following a reunion tour.

He said: "I saw Pras on the flight and as a Fugees member I didn't know whether to elbow him, shoot him or give him a kiss and we gave a hug.

Last year Pras Michel backed Wyclef Jean's presidential rival after the singer ran for the leadership.

After their reunion tour Michel also said Fugees was "dead" and that Lauryn Hill had "some things she needs to deal with".

Wyclef Jean says he and his childhood friend "had a lot to talk about" after sitting next to each other on a plane.

"When it comes to Lauryn and Pras, it's my childhood, they always bring me to that place," he added.

"Bono's U2 calls The Fugees the hip hop version of the Beatles. It was the first band of hip hop in our generation."

'Egos and differences'

He also says he's happy that Lauryn Hill, who's faded from the public eye, is back in the studio and planning a tour.

He said: "The idea that Lauryn is back on the road and she's working is great. It's a great thing and will spark new ideas for all of us.

"At the end of the day Pras is my brother and Lauryn is my sister, despite what the media say.

"The Fugees are not meant to be. We're rock stars from a locked group. You're going to have egos and differences but at the end of the day I love them both very much."

Wyclef Jean, who was born in Haiti and grew up in America, flew to the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday (11 January).

He's been taking part in ceremonies marking the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake that killed more than 230,000 people and left more than a million people homeless.

The star called on the international community to live up to reconstruction promises, pledged following the earthquake on 12 January 2010.

He said: "It is very important while all of this attention is focused on the anniversary that we focus on the issues.

"That includes a lack of jobs, funds stuck in Washington and donor promises."

More than a million people still live in tent cities in the capital since the earthquake, where rebuilding has been stalled by a series of logistical hold-ups.