Lauryn Hill is known for many things. Punctuality is not one of them. The singer has developed a reputation for showing up late to her shows, making her the brunt of countless internet jokes and fan complaints.
The hip-hop icon addressed her chronic tardiness at her concert during the Los Angeles stop of her Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour on Nov 4.
Hill was joined on stage by her mother, who held the singer’s hand as she addressed the crowd.
“When the album sold so many records and no one showed up and said, ‘Hey, would you like to make another one?’ So I went around the world, and I played the same album over and over and over and over again. Because we are survivors, and we’re not just survivors, we’re thrivers.”
The mother of six received cheers from the audience, but some social media users did not accept Hill’s explanation.
“If God is an on-time God, then why you always…. Nevermind 😂 love you, Ms. Lauryn 💜😩 I’ll mind my business 😂,” Keairalashe said on The Shade Room’s Instagram Page.
IG user @_Journeywithjas_ chimed in, quoting lyrics from Hill’s hit song “Doo Wop That Thing. “
“‘Babygirl, respect is just a minimum.’ Time is our greatest asset. Be on time. You toured around the world off the love people have for your gifts, too, and the sacrifice people made to spend money to see you. Entitlement gives me the ick; don’t care who it is.”
This isn’t the first time the multi-talented artist has responded to complaints from fans. In 2016, she took to Facebook to explain her tardiness.
“I don’t show up late to shows because I don’t care,” HIll wrote. “And
I have nothing but Love and respect for my fans. The challenge is aligning my energy with the time, taking something that isn’t easily classified or contained, and trying to make it available for others. I don’t have an on/off switch. I am at my best when I am open, rested, sensitive and liberated to express myself as truthfully as possible.”The tour also serves as a reunion with her former Fugees bandmates. The trio will make several appearances in North America. For more information on the tour, visit the website.
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