Lauryn Hill saves int’l appeal at Sumfest

For the first time since the elimination of International Night at Reggae Sumfest, the festival sought to reignite that tradition with the inclusion of American singer and songwriter Babyface.

While for the audience at Catherine Hall the Whip Appeal singer’s 75-minute set was exactly what the doctor ordered, for both the media and fans watching the stream online, the international appeal was shortlived.

The media was advised by organisers that no press would be allowed in the press pit during Babyface’s performance.

The YouTube stream was also cut prior to the start of his set.

While no one outside of the immediate audience could see the singer, their consistent screams were a staple during his performance. For near the entirety, you could hear the crowd singing each song with consistent vigour.

Commenting on the matter, DownSound Entertainment’s Cordel ‘Skatta’ Burrell said, “A lot of artistes who have been around for a long while who are not driven by social media and streaming, they organically make and cultivate their earnings by being booked for a show based on their relevance. So they don’t [want] to overstimulate the public with streaming stuff that you can find online especially how their show is produced. So they want to keep that for a live audience, so they restrict people holding up the phones, they restrict [the] streaming of their set, because if you see me do this set today, you don’t want the same tomorrow because I am not as current. I have a catalogue that I am eating off of. I cannot give it away for free, and I can’t blast him for that. It’s his way.”

Though unplanned, it was Night One which gave all viewers a taste of International Night. Festival goers and fans watching the stream were treated to an impromptu performance from music legend Lauryn Hill.

“We all know how great Ms Lauryn Hill is,” he said reminiscing.

Taking the stage during her son YG Marley’s set, Hill was drenched in beads singing singles from both her Grammy-Award winning album and her previous works with The Fugees.

Marvelling, Burrell continued: “Jamaicans love her. I’m just upset we weren’t able to advertise it because a lot of people are envious of the patrons who witnessed it. However, kudos to Reggae Sumfest. We got her on the stage and were very happy for that. So Friday night turned out to be a more international night than expected so we are grateful and truly thankful. It was a blast.”

shanel.lemmie@gleanerjm.com