Lauryn Hill’s Powerful Defense of Late Starts at L.A. Show

Lauryn Hill’s notorious tardiness to her own shows is something she stands by unapologetically.

During her two-day L.A. takeover, where she celebrated the 25th anniversary of her album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” with Fugees bandmates Wyclef Jean and Pras, she defended her habitual punctuality issues.

“You’re saying, ‘She’s late, she’s late a lot,’” Hill said during Saturday’s show, according to a video shared by Vibe Magazine writer Mya Abraham. “Y’all lucky I make it on this … stage every night.” The Fugees also played Sunday night at Inglewood’s Kia Forum.

Accompanied by her four children and mother, Valerie, Hill expressed that she performs “because I stand here in the name of God and I do it.”

During her Saturday night speech, Hill paid tribute to her mother, “my rock, my foundation, my stability,” and spoke about the lack of industry support following the success of “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”

She emphasized the significance of the supporting women in her life, attributing her success to them and by performing a soulful “Happy Birthday” for her mother.

Hill continued her “Miseducation” celebration tour and postponed a show in Fort Worth to rest her voice, expressing concerns about vocal strain/injury that she was masking with medication.

The eight-time Grammy winner revealed that she fought through the last couple of shows and tweeted her concerns about it being unsafe and unsustainable.

As she brings her show to Oakland and Seattle next, fans are reminded of her impact in the 90’s music scene and await new updates on her rescheduled performance.

Times staff writer Nardine Saad contributed to this report.