Lauryn Hill Breaks 27-Year Hiatus For A Grammy Reunion And Tribute

Lauryn Hill is back at the Grammys for the first time in 27 years!

The sensational singer-songwriter, infamously known for canceling performances, returned to the big stage on Sunday, February 1, to honor late artists with powerful tributes.

Lauryn Hill last appeared on the Grammy stage in 1999, the same year she made history as the first hip-hop artist to win album of the year for "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill."

Hill marked her comeback at the Grammys by collaborating with Wyclef Jean for an emotional in memoriam segment that celebrated the lives and achievements of D'Angelo and Roberta Flack. The late entertainers were linked to Hill's illustrious career.

Hill and the late D'Angelo collaborated on her 1998 song "Nothing Even Matters," while Flack sang the original version of "Killing Me Softly." Hill and her Hip-Hop group, Fugees, covered the song in 1996, making them an instant hit.

For her tribute to D'Angelo and Flack, Hill stunned on the stage in a voluminous black gown with puffy sleeves and a plunging neckline. She accessorized with a chunky choker-style necklace and large sunglasses, while her braided hair was styled into a curly hairdo, per The Daily Mail.

Hill's Grammys comeback could have happened a decade earlier if she had performed at the annual event in 2016. At the time, she was promoted as The Weeknd's surprise collaborator, but never showed up for their scheduled performance.

According to Inquisitr, a representative from Hill's camp released a statement defending her decision to skip the event. The rep claimed that the Grammys organizers had scheduled Hill's performance with The Weeknd without any confirmation from their end.

"Hill had concerts all weekend, leaving no time to prepare, and was uncertain she would even be able to make it to LA in time to rehearse for the event," Hill's representative explained. They seemingly blamed showrunners for Hill's absence, stressing that they shouldn't have advertised her participation without prior notice.

Hill's rep assured fans that she did not skip the performance because of The Weeknd, describing the rapper as "an artist she appreciates." A rep for the Grammys seemingly confirmed Hill's last-minute involvement in the 2016 show, noting she wasn't included in the lineup of performers.

However, Academy President Neil Portnow shared a different narrative, arguing that the statement from Hill's rep did not match what happened. He slammed the entertainer as a "disappointment," claiming she did not give any notice about her inability to perform until the last minute.

Portnow alleged that Hill had shown up for a dress rehearsal on the morning of the Grammys and completed the procedure before leaving. On that note, they had gone ahead with the preparations for her performance that night, only for Hill not to show up.

Hill last graced the Grammys stage in 1999, where she made history as the first hip-hop artist to win album of the year for "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." She achieved the incredible milestone at 23 years old and broke a second record with her wins that night.

Hill went home with five Grammys, making her the first woman to win multiple awards in a single night. She won the trophies for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best Rhythm & Blues Song.

The Hip-Hop crooner eventually became an eight-time Grammy honoree, winning another Album Of The Year Award the following year and two more Grammys thanks to her rap group, Fugees. The trio won the Best Rap Album and Best R&B Performance by a duo or group with vocals in 1997.

Nearly two years before marking her return to the Grammys stage, Hill and her Hip-Hop group caused a stir by cancelling their US tour. The Blast covered the story in August 2024, reporting that Hill and the Fugees broke the news just days before the tour kicked off.

Hill explained their side of the story in a lengthy Instagram post, blaming the media for affecting their ticket sales and ultimately causing them to cancel. She expressed frustration over the outcome, noting the negative media stemmed from her injury the year before.

The entertainer noted that she was forced to cancel several shows because of the 2023 injury, yet the media spun a different narrative that made her look bad. "The trust and faith in my intentions and my dedication to my art have been clouded by this negative portrayal," Hill lamented.

Is Lauryn Hill's Grammys return a sign of more performances to come?