Lauryn Hill delivers electrifying surprise at Reggae Sumfest 2024

On a night brimming with anticipation and musical prowess, the 2024 Reggae Sumfest witnessed an unforgettable surprise: the legendary Lauryn Hill graced the stage.

Although not billed to perform, Hill’s appearance left the audience at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay on Friday night in awe and created a historic moment for the festival.

Hill, YG Marley’s supremely talented mother, was a bonus act at the 31st staging of the festival, which spans seven days. Performing her solo hits Ex-Factor and Lost Ones, she then received a rousing ovation with the sound of vuvuzelas to Killin’ Me Softly, Fu-Gee-La, and Ready or Not, tunes from her time with The Fugees. Turn Your Lights Down Low was done a cappella, as it needed no ‘riddim’.

NO ONE EXPECTED HILL

YG opened up his set with performances of his original songs including Meant to Be and Survival and welcomed dancehall entertainer Jahshii on stage to perform his hit song, Born Fighter, and his brother, Zion Marley.

Though Hill joined YG on his Coachella and BET Awards sets, an appearance at Reggae Sumfest was not confirmed. For years, Reggae Sumfest had tried to convince Hill to perform, but their efforts never came to fruition – until now.

“We tried to get her for many years, and just couldn’t get her to perform. Tonight is a historic event,” said Robert Russell, Reggae Sumfest’s deputy chair. “The people went crazy. We anticipated she would perform. We had information [that] she would perform. But it wasn’t confirmed so we couldn’t advertise it. I knew in my heart that she would perform. She is not going to see this crowd and not perform.”

The surprise performance electrified the audience. “The crowd loved her. Her presence here made the show. Her performance has gone all around the world. It is really amazing to see Lauryn Hill back in Jamaica,” Russell continued. “Many years ago, she performed here, but we never expected her to ever perform again in Jamaica. Her energy and the fact that the people were so welcoming to her – it’s like they were waiting on her for a long time. And they sang along. It was like a really big party. I felt very warm inside.”

Howard McIntosh, chairman of the entertainment board at the Jamaica Tourist Board, also shared his excitement. “Surprise – if you have been watching YG and his performances over the last couple of months, his mother had been with him at a lot of them,” he stated.

“Because of Jamaica first and because of Reggae Sumfest and the tremendous brand it is, I and others expected her to be here. Of course, she added to the show because she is a tremendous artiste, with a tremendous catalogue, and a tremendous performer.”

McIntosh further highlighted Hill’s impact: “She always adds to the show by virtue of name alone. What she did tonight just speaks to what Reggae Sumfest is – a nice event with good music, good people. People want to be on Reggae Sumfest because of the exposure it gives the artiste and the country. I think what she is trying to do is give him support, give him oxygen.”

The night was a testament to the magnetic allure of Lauryn Hill and the enduring legacy of Reggae Sumfest. As the music echoed across Jamaica, it was clear that this surprise performance would be remembered as one of the festival’s most iconic moments.

And the patrons concurred, “If she had advertised, the park would be even fuller than it is now. She would get even more people attending the festival than Babyface. Her music is timeless. The music that she released was 30 years ago and people are still singing along word for word. Everyone loves her music,” Javaughn Earle told The Sunday Gleaner.

“She is someone who releases an album that still lives on,” he added.

Lorna Campbell, another patron who says she has been waiting to see Hill for years, was still in awe when this newspaper approached her. “It was fantastic. A pleasant surprise, and she gave an epic performance. I am still in shock.”

Grace Lewis, who stood at the front of the stage, said she sang every song belted by Hill word for word. “It’s as if she is a part of our culture, that’s exactly how she made us feel during her performance.”

Night One of Reggae Sumfest saw performances from Kaka High Flames, 450, Pablo YG, Turbulence, Teejay, Munga Honorable and Dexta Daps.

Aidonia, brought on stage Govana and delivered an emotional and electrifying set. While first-time performer Armanii gave a creditable early performance, showing off his vocal chops.

Capleton, who last performed on the Sumfest stage in 2018, closed the show in fine style after receiving the Red Stripe Living Legend Award. With the sun overhead, the Fireman led patrons through platitudes and singles such as Don’t Change, King of Fire and Wicked Will Fall.

Valiant, Jada Kingdom, Marcy Chin and Kraff, who were billed to perform, were notably absent from the stage, leaving many patrons disappointed.

“I’m upset because Jada Kingdom is the main person that I wanted to see,” said Shannon Dawkins, a Canadian, who attended Sumfest with friends Cassidy John and Abigail Smith. “We’re from Toronto, so when she came to Toronto, I never got to see her. So obviously we flew in thinking that we would be able to see her and it’s just a disappointment that we weren’t able to see her, Valiant and Kraft because those are three great artistes that we never got to see. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing that we could do at Sumfest and we never got to see them.”

Night Two, currently under way, is expected to treat audiences with the performance of Babyface, Beres Hammond and several other acts.

This is Babyface’s fourth billed performance in Jamaica.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com