Lauryn Hill, the celebrated singer-songwriter and eight-time Grammy Award winner, is once again addressing the ongoing criticisms about the punctuality of her live shows. In a recent tour stop, Hill took a moment to respond to those who often comment on her shows starting late. With palpable emotion, she expressed that her ability to perform is a blessing from God and a testament to the support of her community, emphasizing her focus on gratitude and resilience.
During the performance, Lauryn Hill playfully imitated those who remark, “Oh, she’s late tonight,” and then responded, “Yo, y’all lucky I make it on this stage every night…I don’t do it because they let me do it, I do it because I stand here in the name of God!” Her remarks underlined her unwavering commitment to her art and her spiritual perspective on her performances.
Hill also conveyed her deep sense of gratitude for being able to continue performing, even though she only has one album to her name. She credited God for enabling her to persevere and for surrounding her with family and community support when her album achieved significant success, yet no one offered to help her create another one. In her own words, “God is the one who allows me to do it… we’re not just the survivors, we’re the thrivers.”
Criticism surrounding Lauryn Hill’s punctuality at her shows has been a recurring topic of conversation among fans for quite some time. In 2021, she addressed the issue through her music when she contributed a verse to the song “Nobody” on NAS’ album “King’s Disease II.” In the verse, Hill rapped about the perceptions of her lateness and her commitment to her unique path, stating that she is “savin’ souls” and drawing attention to the importance of her message.
Responses to Hill’s stance on her late starts have been diverse, with some praising her determination to stay true to her artistic vision despite the critique, while others have expressed a desire for more punctuality out of consideration for her fans. The issue continues to generate conversations and debate on social media, indicating that the topic remains a point of discussion among her supporters and critics alike.
Written by
Derek Chan – Editor
