Lauryn Hill addressed frustrations from followers after her headlining efficiency at Essence Festival started hours delayed, along with her set beginning at roughly 2:30 a.m. The late begin meant a good portion of the viewers had already exited, prompting Hill to reply instantly through Instagram, the place she sought to offer readability.

In her publish, Hill thanked the Essence workforce for confirming the delay wasn’t solely her doing. “Thank you to Essence Fest for clarifying that the delays were not my fault,” she wrote, as reported by AllHipHop. She pressured that her performances demand rigorous involvement behind the scenes, describing the logistical depth required to carry her imaginative and prescient to life.

Lauryn Hill defends her lateness as a product of goal, not neglect

“Unlike artists who focus on a single discipline, I’m required to oversee several,” Hill defined. “I don’t arrive late because I don’t care. I care deeply—and that commitment takes time.” She framed her lateness not as neglect, however as a byproduct of a course of aimed toward delivering one thing layered and significant.

Pushing again towards long-standing assumptions about her punctuality, Hill famous, “There seems to be a belief that I am lounging on a beach, unconcerned about my performances. This is far from the truth.” She emphasised that anybody acquainted with her workforce understands the quantity of preparation and hands-on consideration her exhibits require. Hill closed her message with appreciation for individuals who stayed late into the night time to assist her set—and for the followers who’ve stood by her all through her profession, no matter time or place.

Essence responded within the feedback with a message of affirmation: “Always love and accountability live here. Thank you for blessing us.” This yr’s pageant featured an all-star lineup, together with Erykah Badu, Babyface, Ari Lennox, and Patti LaBelle. Master P additionally carried out, asserting that the set could be his final as he prepares to guide basketball operations on the University of New Orleans.