Photos: A Look Back At Ms. Lauryn Hill's 'Diaspora Calling!' Music Festival
Ms. Lauryn Hill called the diaspora and they responded with a night celebrating Africa.
Inside Kings Theatre during Ms. Lauryn Hill's performance at Diaspora Calling! Photo by Pascal Bernier.
<p><strong><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/tag/lauryn-hill/" target="_blank">Ms. Lauryn Hill</a></strong> called the diaspora to <strong>Kings Theatre</strong>—and they responded, bringing the sounds of Africa and the Caribbean to the stage on a brisk Friday evening.</p><p>This one-night music festival opened with New York-based <strong>Paul Beaubrun</strong> repping Haiti with his roots-blues tunes.</p><p>The Black Star was present, with Ghana’s swaggy <strong><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/tag/jojo-abot/" target="_blank">Jojo Abot</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/news/dj-juls-stonebwoy-burniton-rudebwoi-luv/" target="_blank">Stonebwoy</a></strong> then shutting down the stage with <strong>“Go Higher,”</strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/audio/el-ghana-the-bar-mixtape-best-african-rapper/" target="_blank">E.L</a></strong> making you want to <em>shoki</em> to <strong>“Koko.”</strong></p><p>Nigeria’s <strong><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/news/diaspora-calling-lauryn-hill-festival/" target="_blank">Wondaboy</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/news/mr-eazi-dj-juls-pappy-kojo-bankulize-music-video/" target="_blank">Mr. Eazi</a></strong> also rocked the stage with their hits, proving that they’re the ones to watch.</p><p><div class="preroll-video"></div><ora-player></ora-player></p><p>The second son of <strong>Bob Marley</strong>, <strong>Stephen Marley</strong>, serenaded the crowd with an acoustic set of his father’s classics and his own roots reggae sound while Trinidad and Tobago’s <strong>Machel Montano</strong> brought carnival to Brooklyn and showed that he’s the true king of soca.</p><p></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><p></p><div style="padding: 8px;"><p></p><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"></div><p></p><p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEPutcMRD5N/" style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">We're still recovering from @machelmontano's set at Lauryn Hill's 'Diaspora Calling' fest as we wait for Stephen Marley!</a></p><p></p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A video posted by Okayafrica (@okayafrica) on <time datetime="2016-04-16T03:18:35+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 15, 2016 at 8:18pm PDT</time></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p><script async="" defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></p><p>Before Ms. Hill finally made it on stage after intermission, the audience witnessed a Haitian <em>rara</em> procession by the <strong>Brother High Full Tempo</strong> band. African dancers led in the band of drums down the center aisle of the theatre, as horns made of metal layered over the rhythmic percussion to the stage with <strong>Chop and Quench</strong>, The Fela! Band. <em>Vévé</em> motifs, bold colors and video footage projected onto the backdrop, and the party really got started.</p><p><div class="dfp_atf-slot" data-not-loaded="true"></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></p><p>Ms. Hill’s rendition of <strong>“Everything is Everything”</strong> was reminiscent of her Afrobeat spin on <strong>“Lost Ones”</strong> (which she also performed again), where the audience got down like they were in <strong>The Shrine</strong>. Once her rearrangement of <strong>“Ex-Factor”</strong> rang through our ears, I definitely caught myself doing the <em>alkayida</em> and the <em>azonto</em> by my lonesome in my row.</p><p>The night of music at <strong>Diaspora Calling!</strong> was an overwhelming whirlwind of love, good vibes and unity.</p><p>In case you missed it, read up on our recap of the festival's art exhibition <a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/news/ms-lauryn-hill-diaspora-calling-art/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>Check out some of our images below:</p><p></p><h5><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/facepaint4-JoJoAbot.jpg"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5ODI1Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMDc0NTQ4NX0.0xgHRmL-GCTSpaPOqLIdZ-k63gXeR9mScS_o5ZiVs7Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="10828" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6ea1dade6adac5ecf178fe81ccacf149" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a></h5><p>Jojo Abot. Photo by Ginny Suss.</p><p></p><h5><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/mr.eaziandhisproducer.jpg"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5ODI1OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1OTMzMjc1NX0.s18D-PQ8FWznev5xLzjvbMC4l2ZKVgg3Vit002vqEKA/img.jpg?width=980" id="3fed7" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4738c440b5b2b99fdd6d5e7113ac66b5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a></h5><p>Mr. Eazi and his producer. Photo by Ginny Suss.</p><p></p><h5><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/Wondaboy.jpg"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5ODI2MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyODYzNTgxMX0.kRrJ0zBVKuXsCfaCBT5UkEUXa4SqoRSiui-j8EAsc4U/img.jpg?width=980" id="a5a5d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="96cca04962b2676f2450ea2e3f91592d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a></h5><p>Wondaboy. Photo by Ginny Suss.</p><p></p><h5><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/theCompozers-bandplayedwithallAfricanartists.jpg"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5ODI2Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0Nzk1MzcyNH0.4klHofuMxeJ0mlYahpg4oEBkANS7rSA_Wz63akwWUkc/img.jpg?width=980" id="eb5f8" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="22e107900f5bc37c204212bf82a00bf4" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a></h5><p>The Compozers were the awesome backup band for the African artists. Photo by Ginny Suss.</p><p></p><h5><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/Stonebwoy.jpg"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5ODI2NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMTc0MjY4NH0.XCI8wDdHqC-b4-3w3O1bPqppspPO0svkBWwcoJ0YPjQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="68a0a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c5a9845d0893a4ad8d401144f067693d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a></h5><p>Stonebwoy. Photo by Ginny Suss.</p><p></p><h5><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/EL-ghana.jpg"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5ODI2NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NjI2MzczMX0.-YhDep2sBCpQIIhph4MrwFnbdVme-aw8vbBADwCkiB4/img.jpg?width=980" id="c9ee9" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c026d8f27582786063e8037b7285b8b1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a></h5><p>E.L. Photo by Ginny Suss.</p><p></p><h5><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/abandthatplayedwMLH3.jpg"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5ODI2Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMDc4NTA5MX0.5I0iB95aC7rFYeDrJV65K3b4oMDDloJyBAn94X_CPh0/img.jpg?width=980" id="ab635" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="418390692c930c1b640b7aab29918d15" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a></h5><p>Members of the Brother High Full Tempo band. Photo by Ginny Suss.</p><p></p><h5><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/abandthatplayedwMLH.jpg"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5ODI2Ny9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNjM3NTU5Nn0.uJsgl2o_tRaQEExI-T-0k_2ird8RSj5qtLZTBbeINvg/img.jpg?width=980" id="3a549" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a8b8ffaad4cdff059c097037693a4d97" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a></h5><p>Members of the Brother High Full Tempo band. Photo by Ginny Suss.</p><p></p><h5><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/BERNIER_April-16-2016BERNIER_20160416-IMGL0436-e1461182144517.jpg"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5ODI2OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1OTM4MTgxMH0.wL04vTw2CggQ2dq7JE9D9G04HzO-DqqbUp-xuMYj1Gk/img.jpg?width=980" id="acc4e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="64b4bd697fda2b48b78d1cf8fbb4c426" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a></h5><p>Ms. Lauryn Hill. Photo by Pascal Bernier.</p><p></p><h5><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/BERNIER_April-16-2016BERNIER_20160416-IMGL0402-e1461182160246.jpg"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xMDM5ODI3MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0OTY4Nzg4MX0.KHoLaTllfa0nmzyinUb25dZWP4k2A5bvcvNq_Dtvvzg/img.jpg?width=980" id="2c60d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c58a581c54477ae6269d615cd49f4a69" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a></h5><p>Ms. Lauryn Hill. Photo by Pascal Bernier.</p>
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