Lauryn Hill has opened up about her delayed Essence Festival performance that took place over the weekend.
Taking to Instagram, the legendary artists set the record straight about what happened that caused her set to begin later than anticiapted.
“Family, let me address a few things: I am involved in every aspect of what it takes to put on my shows, because it requires THAT much involvement to protect the integrity of my message and the quality of what I do,” Hill said.
“And for this reason, I rehearse and arrange the music diligently with my band. I am involved in every aspect of design, preparation and production of my shows while also being a parent, grandparent and steward to my immediate family and community,” she continued,
Hill also stated that “while some get to focus on a single discipline or category, my role requires that I have eyes everywhere and contribute to most if not every department and more.”
In conclusion, she noted that she does everything “without complaint because it is truly labor of love,” adding, “[It is] a great passion for me to be able to perform meaningful music for my audience.”
“This is not the first time production delays have delayed my performances,” she added.
“This IS however the first time a promoter has acknowledged the slip up on their end, (thank you Essence!) and this will be the last time l’ll allow production challenges to look like the fault is mine alone, when they aren’t.”
As WBLS previously reported, Hill’s headline set began at 2:30 a.m., in front of a mostly departed crowd at New Orleans’s Caesars Superdome. It was originally scheduled for 12:35 a.m.
Ina statement on Instagram, Essence addressed the backlash.
“Family is family and around here we protect our own no matter what the PEOPLE have to say,” Essence’s post read. “Let’s be very clear—WE don’t play about Ms. Lauryn Hill. Not for clicks. Not for headlines.”
“The delay? Not hers. We will take that. The moment? One for the books. The legacy? Still unmatched,” that statement continued.