Lauryn Hill Steals the Show at Reggae Sumfest

Reggae Sumfest, renowned for its vibrant blend of Jamaican and international music, made a bold move this year by incorporating an American act after years of focusing solely on Jamaican artists. The festival sought to revive the spirit of "International Night," a beloved tradition, by inviting the legendary R&B singer, Babyface.

While the audience at Catherine Hall enjoyed Babyface's 75-minute set, the experience was short-lived for fans watching online and media outlets. The organizers, in a decision that sparked some controversy, prohibited press access during Babyface's performance and cut the YouTube stream before his set began.

This decision was explained by DownSound Entertainment’s Cordel ‘Skatta’ Burrell, who emphasized the importance of preserving the exclusivity of live performances for established artists. He reasoned that artists like Babyface, who rely heavily on their catalog rather than current releases, prefer to maintain a sense of specialness for their live shows.

“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,” Burrell stated.

While Babyface’s performance remained a mystery to the virtual audience, a surprise appearance by the iconic Lauryn Hill on Night One unexpectedly delivered the international flavor that the festival intended.

Hill, joining her son YG Marley on stage, captivated the audience with an electrifying performance, singing hits from her Grammy-winning album and her days with The Fugees. The crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable even for those watching online.

Burrell, reflecting on Hill’s impromptu performance, acknowledged the incredible impact it had on the festival, saying: “We all know how great Ms Lauryn Hill is. 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.”

Despite the controversy surrounding Babyface’s performance, Lauryn Hill's unexpected appearance brought a burst of international energy to Reggae Sumfest. The festival, once again, proved its ability to deliver unforgettable musical experiences, leaving fans with an enduring memory of a night that exceeded expectations.