Lauryn Hill is set to bring her Diaspora Calling! festival to the United Kingdom for the first time on Friday, marking a decade since the event's debut in Brooklyn, New York. The festival, which celebrates African diaspora culture through music and art, will feature performances from a lineup including Erykah Badu, YG Marley, Zion Marley, Giggs, Fireboy DML, and others. Comedian Dave Chappelle is also slated to host the event.

Hill and her former Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean previewed the festival with a gathering at London’s Piccadilly Circus, where a short animated film curated by Hill and created by artist Lauren Halsey was displayed on a large LED screen. The film highlighted influential figures and symbolism tied to the global African diaspora, underscoring the festival’s focus on community and cultural celebration. Both Hill and Jean described the atmosphere as powerful and uplifting.

Hill explained that the opportunity to bring Diaspora Calling! to the UK came through promoters associated with Reggae Land, who provided the venue and support. She emphasized the event’s goal of fostering growth, healing, and unity through shared cultural expression.

Regarding the selection of artists for the festival, Hill said the lineup was chosen through outreach to individuals she knows and respects, and that the response from the creative community in the UK has been overwhelmingly positive.

In addition to the broader festival activities, Hill and Jean plan to perform the Fugees’ seminal album, "The Score," in its entirety to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its release. Both artists reflected on the enduring impact of the album, describing it as a timeless work that continues to resonate both for them and for their audience. Hill noted that performing these songs brings a renewed energy and a sense of reclaiming and healing historical narratives, highlighting the evolving relationship they have with the music over time.

The festival’s expansion to London represents a significant milestone for Diaspora Calling!, reinforcing its role as a vibrant platform for celebrating African diasporic culture through creative collaboration and artistic expression.