AceShowbiz - Ms. Lauryn Hill headlined her curated Diaspora Calling! festival at Milton Keynes National Bowl on Friday, drawing over 35,000 fans for a landmark celebration of Black music and culture. The event, hosted by Dave Chappelle, featured performances from Hill, Wyclef Jean, Erykah Badu, YG Marley, Zion Marley, Giggs, Fireboy DML, and Seun Kuti and The Compozers.

Hill and Jean marked the 30th anniversary of The Fugees' album The Score, performing classics like "Ready or Not" and "Fu-Gee-La." They also delved into solo hits, with Jean delivering "911" and Hill performing "Ex-Factor," "Doo Wop (That Thing)" alongside Badu, and "To Zion." YG Marley and Zion Marley joined them onstage, while The Compozers backed Hill during the closing set.

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Chappelle brought his signature wit and insight to the stage, introducing artists and framing the night's biggest moments. His presence connected a program spanning Afrobeat, hip-hop, R&B, soul, reggae, and U.K. rap.

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Hill expressed gratitude to the fans and everyone who made the night possible. "When we started, this was the mission from the beginning. Sometimes you get off the path a little bit, but you have to reclaim that and get back on it. That was a big deal for us. I grew up with heroes who did that for me," she said.

Badu delivered a hit-filled set including "Apple Tree," "Window Seat," "On & On," and "Back in the Day." A surprise appearance by Kano during Giggs' set brought the crowd to its feet for "P's & Q's" and "Rudeboy." Fireboy DML represented Afrobeats' global reach, while YG Marley performed "Praise Jah in the Moonlight" and Zion Marley honored his grandfather Bob Marley with "Three Little Birds" before his own "Best of Me." Seun Kuti brought the political force of Afrobeat to the stage.

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DJ OBI opened the live program, and Michael Brun later delivered a Caribbean-rooted DJ set. MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy addressed the audience on reparatory justice and strengthening diaspora connections.

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Backstage, the event attracted notable figures including Gunna, Common, Rapsody, Tiwa Savage, Little Simz, Stonebwoy, Victony, Derek Chisora, Sabrina Elba, Tolu Coker, Zeze Millz, and Foday Dumbuya.

Beyond music, Diaspora Calling! featured visual art from Lauren Halsey, fashion activations by Denim Tears and Kids of Immigrants, and a curated film program with works from artists like Arthur Jafa and Kahlil Joseph. Earlier in the week, Hill and Jean met fans at 180 Studios, and Halsey's commission was unveiled on the Piccadilly Lights.

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The event caps a landmark year for Hill, who returned to the Grammy stage in February and received BET's inaugural Living Legend Icon Award in June. Diaspora Calling! continues its mission to celebrate and connect the global African diaspora through music, art, and culture.