Picture by Matt Eachus. (From left-to-right) Wyclef Jean, Erykah Badu, Dave Chappelle and Ms. Lauryn Hill standing on stage at Diaspora Calling! at Milton Keynes National Bowl.
Diaspora Calling! made its UK debut last Friday 7th August, where over 35,000 people gathered at Milton Keynes National Bowl on Friday. Conceived and curated by Ms. Lauryn Hill, the event was hosted by renowned comedian, Dave Chappelle, and featured an impressive cross-generational line-up. That included, Ms Lauryn Hill herself, Erykah Badu, YG Marley, Zion Marley, Giggs, Fireboy DML, Seun Kuti and The Compozers. There was also DJ sets from DJ OBI and Michael Brun.
Headliners
Wyclef Jean joined Ms. Lauryn Hill as they celebrated the 30th anniversary of The Fugees’ monumental album The Score. On stage, they revisited songs like “Ready or Not” and “Fu-Gee-La”. After, they performed their individual catalogues such as Jean’s “911” and Hill’s “Ex-Factor”.
Queen of Neo Soul, Erykah Badu, joined Ms. Lauryn Hill for “Doo Woo (That Thing)”, to a singing along crowd. Badu then delivered hit after hit with “Apple Tree”, “On & On”, and “Back in the Day”.
One of the biggest surprises of the night was Kano’s appearance during Giggs’ set. The two most influential of British rap performed “P’s & Q’s” and “Rudeboy”. Afrobeats was also brought to the stage through Fireboy DML’s set and Seun Kuti’s appearance.
YG Marley sang his global hit “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” at the event. Afterwards, Bob Marley’s song “Three Little Birds”, covered by Zion Marley, who then sang his own “Best of Me”.
The live programme was a high energy performance, led by DJ OBI. Following, Michael Brun delivered a dedicated DJ set of a Caribbean-rooted and globally connected sound.
Backstage, there were equally remarkable appearances by artists and cultural icons, such as Gunna, Tiwa Savage, Little Simz, Sabrina Elba. Rapsody, Common, Stonebwoy, Victory, Tolu Coker, Zeze Millz, Foday Dumbuya, and Derek Chisora were also spotted at Diaspora Calling!.
A Cultural Platform
As the event’s host, Dave Chappelle helped connect a programme of a range of generations, continents, and genres. His distinctive voice as a storyteller, comedian, and cultural commentator in his introductions of artists seamlessly transitioned the event’s stages.
Collectively, performances captured the wider vision behind Diaspora Calling!, connecting generations and variations of Black music, culture, and influences. Genres included Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, soul, reggae, UK rap, across Africa, the Caribbean, the UK, and the US.
Beyond the music, Diaspora Calling! established itself as a multidisciplinary cultural experience spanning visual art, fashion, beauty, film and independent enterprise. Acclaimed Los Angeles artist Lauren Halsey presented animated visuals, extending her Diaspora Calling! commission, first unveiled earlier in the week across the Piccadilly Lights.
The event also featured fashion and art. Artist Shawn created a live painting inspired by Topicals during the event. Denim Tears and Kids of Immigrants had themes of identity, history, migration and community – features of the overarching topic of the African diaspora. There was a further showcase of diaspora-led artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and independent businesses through a specially curated marketplace.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, a Labour MP and member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Afrikan Reparations, also addressed the crowd. She shared a message from Ms. Hill about the importance of strengthening connections across the African diaspora, and celebrating Black excellence. A major point reparatory justice and creating spaces, institutions, and opportunities needed for communities to shape their own futures.
Diaspora Calling!’s Impact
The festival’s footprint also stretched beyond Milton Keynes, with thousands of fans taking part in a series of Diaspora Calling! cultural moments across London in the days leading up to the event. At 180 Studios, Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean made an appearance to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Score. They met fans and signed albums, memorabilia and exclusive merchandise.
Ahead of the event, Piccadilly Circus hosted the public unveiling of Diaspora Calling!. The new CIRCA animated commission by acclaimed Los Angeles artist Lauren Halsey was curated by Hill. The work transformed one of London’s most recognisable public landmarks into a large-scale celebration of Black imagination, community and the African diaspora.
Diaspora Calling! created an experience that extended well beyond the boundaries of a conventional live music event for over 35,000 people. Alongside the performances, the event brought together art, fashion, dialogue and wider cultural experiences. The festival reflected the scale and ambition of the platform.
This UK debut is a mark in musical history with a new generation of artists and audiences. Ms. Lauryn Hill is at the creative centre, highlighting the diversity, impact and continuing development of diaspora culture.
About Diaspora Calling!
Diaspora Calling! is a multidisciplinary platform spanning music, art and culture, created by Ms. Lauryn Hill to celebrate, connect and empower Africa and its global diaspora. The initiative was first launched at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre in 2016 and has since provided a space for artists, cultural figures, thinkers, organisations, entrepreneurs, innovators and communities to engage through music, visual art, storytelling, conversation and shared cultural experiences.
Rooted in ideas of collective strength, healing, unity and celebration, Diaspora Calling! seeks to bridge communities divided by geography, language and history. Meanwhile, it encourages people to discover shared experiences, exchange perspectives and develop meaningful connections. Its vision goes beyond cultural representation or artistic performance, using connection as a foundation for collaboration, opportunity and long-term progress, with the wider ambition of building toward Sovereign Futures.
Written by Ejemen.
