I love Lauryn Hill. Lord knows I do. And, let me add, even through all of these years of witnessing personal and professional drama with the once promising artist, I’ll likely still love Lauryn. She’s talented, deeply conscious and stunningly beautiful. But right now, we just can’t seem to get along. She’s like a girlfriend who secretly wants me to break up with her — musically anyway. She’s always late, sometimes low performing, and (let’s be honest) she’s not delivering much product these days — not products fans really want to hear. And, as if things couldn’t get any worse in my relationship with Lauryn, she just delivered another reason to just let her go.
After being dragged through the press and online for arriving two hours late for her recent Atlanta show and doling out hefty ticket refunds to fans (late a– Lauryn was only able to sing for 30 minutes before the venue pulled the plug on her performance), the former Fugee has now cancelled tomorrow’s tour stop in Baltimore. According to sources, Baltimore fans were notified that due to “unforeseeable circumstances,” the venue had to cancel the concert. Full refunds will be provided to fans who purchased tickets.
While circumstances such as those noted above have fans (including me) ready to cut ties, Lauryn bravely offered an apology and explanation for the recent Atlanta flub. “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,” shared Lauryn, 40, on her Facebook page. “For every performance that I’ve arrived to late, there have been countless others where I’ve performed in excess of two hours, beyond what I am contracted to do, pouring everything out on the stage.”
Lauryn’s words sounded sincere enough but the rationale was simply unacceptable for those who spent their hard-earned money to see her perform. Many commented online they had to “align their finances” to pay for show tickets, so she should “align her energy” to honor their purchase.
Even Questlove chimed in to share his opinion in a now-deleted Facebook post. “[Artists] HAVE to think like a businessman in order to please the fan,” he shared. “Every aspect from walk in music to the pacing of the show has to be combed over … 4 hours on their feet is inconsiderate and uncalled for.”
What are your thoughts on Lauryn’s lateness and now cancellation? Sound off in the comment section below.
