Just when it seemed Lauryn Hill might be rebounding after a series of personal struggles, the Grammy-winning singer is making headlines again for all the wrong reasons.
Hill is catching heat for what some fans describe as a “shi-e” concert on Saturday night at the Brixton Academy in London. The trouble apparently started when the “Ex-Factor” singer and rapper arrived 90 minutes late for her performance.
The star’s tardy arrival was followed by what some described as “awful” arrangements of her hit songs, and poor quality sound at the venue. Some fans even booed the singer, according to The Guardian. Hill probably wasn’t expecting such a hostile reception as she kicked off the first of five concerts in the U.K.
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“Her show in London tonight is the worst gig I’ve ever been to,” wrote one Twitter user.
Another disappointed fan tweeted, “Waited years to see Miss Hill only to hear her bastardise every song to the point of unrecognisable! Utter shite!”
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But at least one person enjoyed the show, with fan YvvyMaxwell tweeting, “Front and bloody centre stage!! Thank you Ms Lauryn Hill for an amazing experience!”
Hill was one of the biggest musical acts of the 1990s, but she left the business and remained out of the limelight for more than a decade. She was a member of hip-hop group the Fugees and became a solo artist rising to the top of the charts with the 1998 release “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” The album sold more than eight million copies and earned an historic five Grammy Awards — album of the year, best new artist, best female R&B performance, best R&B song (“Doo Wop (That Thing)”) and best R&B album.
But over the past few years, Hill has continued to struggle with personal problems.
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She pleaded guilty in 2012 for failing to pay more than $1.8 million in federal taxes, and in 2013 served a three month sentence at a minimum security federal prison in Danbury, Conn.
Below are several tweets about Hill’s London concert.
https://twitter.com/gregbutera/status/513455678850334720
https://twitter.com/kjpalmercom/status/513447107408437248
https://twitter.com/sallyduhig/status/513600360838336512
Literally heartbroken that the Lauren hill I knew no longer exists. Her show in London tonight is the worst gig I’ve ever been to. #fb
— Archibald (@Archi_T) September 20, 2014