Ms. Lauryn Hill brings ‘Diaspora Calling!’ to the U.K. for a celebration of Black culture

The 35,000-person festival featured Erykah Badu, Wyclef Jean and Zion Marley alongside artists from across the diaspora.

Ms. Lauryn Hill brought together generations of Black music and culture as the “Diaspora Calling!” festival made its U.K. debut before a crowd of 35,000 at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, England.

The Diaspora Calling festival, held Friday, Aug. 7, was conceived by Hill as a celebration of Africa and its global diaspora.

TMZ reported that comedian Dave Chappelle hosted the event, while Hill was joined onstage by Erykah Badu for a performance of “Doo Wop (That Thing).” Hill also reunited with Wyclef Jean as the longtime collaborators celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Fugees’ landmark 1996 album, “The Score.”

The family legacy continued when Hill’s son Zion Marley paid tribute to his grandfather Bob Marley with a performance of “Three Little Birds.” British rappers Kano and Giggs also joined forces during the festival.

Several notable artists were in the crowd as well, with Gunna, Common and Rapsody among those spotted attending.

“Diaspora Calling”! first launched in Brooklyn in 2016. Ahead of this year’s U.K. edition, Hill told The Associated Press that the idea grew from a connection she made while performing in Ghana and from communities she and Jean had built throughout the African diaspora.

Hill said the goal was to bring those communities together, describing the moment as a time for growth, healing and moving forward. She also told AP that she hopes to take Diaspora Calling! to other countries.