Lauryn Hill’s Diaspora Calling Festival Draws 35,000 in the UK
Lauryn Hill's second Diaspora Calling festival brought more than 35,000 people to Milton Keynes National Bowl in the United Kingdom.
More than 35,000 people attended the second edition of Lauryn Hill‘s Diaspora Calling festival at the Milton Keynes National Bowl in the United Kingdom on Friday, August 7.
Hosted by comedian Dave Chappelle, the event brought together artists from Africa, the Caribbean, the United States and the UK.
The lineup included:
- Lauryn Hill
- Wyclef Jean
- Erykah Badu
- YG Marley
- Zion Marley
- Giggs
- Fireboy DML
- Seun Kuti
- DJ OBI
- Michael Brun
- The Compozers
Fireboy DML represented Afrobeats, Giggs represented British rap, and YG Marley and Zion Marley represented reggae.
The first Diaspora Calling was held in Brooklyn, USA, in 2016. The Milton Keynes edition marked its expansion into the UK, arriving a decade after the original initiative.
Reunions and cross-genre sets
One of the highlights was Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean reuniting on stage to mark the 30th anniversary of The Fugees’ The Score with a performance of the album.
They were joined by Zion Marley and YG Marley, who are Hill’s son and the grandson of reggae pioneer Bob Marley.
Erykah Badu also joined Lauryn Hill for a rendition of "Doo Wop (That Thing)." The performance paired two artists whose work has addressed Black womanhood, spirituality, creativity and pop music.
African and Caribbean representation
Alongside Fireboy DML, Seun Kuti, the son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, represented Africa at the event.
Tiwa Savage was also in attendance, appearing backstage with Common, Gunna, Little Simz, Stonebwoy and Sabrina Elba.
Giggs’ set became one of the day’s major UK moments when Kano unexpectedly joined him onstage for "P’s & Q’s" and "Rude Boy." The appearance connected two generations of British rap.
Fashion, film and marketplace
The festival also featured a marketplace for diaspora-led artists, designers, entrepreneurs and independent businesses. Nigerian artist and designer Slawn delivered a live painting.
Lauryn Hill wore pieces from Denim Tears and Kids of Immigrants.
A film program titled "Birthing Black Time," curated by Grammy-winning director Jenn Nkiru with the MOTHERSHIP Research Collective, presented work connected to filmmakers and artists including Charles Burnett, Mati Diop, Arthur Jafa, Kahlil Joseph, Djibril Diop Mambéty, Sampha, Darol Olu Kae, Olive Nwosu, C.J. "Fiery" Obasi, Saeed Thomas, Anisia Uzeyman and Saul Williams.
Hill’s recent recognition
The UK Diaspora Calling arrived during a significant period in Lauryn Hill’s career. Earlier this year, she returned to the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999 as part of a tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack.
In June, she became the inaugural recipient of Black Entertainment Television (BET)‘s Living Legend Icon Award, receiving a cross-generational tribute featuring artists including SZA, Doechii, Nas, Doja Cat, Queen Latifah, Common and members of her own family.
At Milton Keynes National Bowl, the past was present without becoming the entire story. The Fugees’ album was revisited, but so were newer music traditions. Jamaican heritage sat alongside Nigerian pop, and British rap shared a stage with American neo-soul. Fashion and film also occupied the same cultural space as music.
The festival was built around the idea that the African diaspora is an active, evolving cultural force rather than a historical footnote.
