Lauryn Hill has thanked the organisers of Essence Festival for taking responsibility for her performing to a half-empty stadium at 2.30am over the weekend.
The Ready or Not singer took the stage at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans two hours later than scheduled during the Essence Festival of Culture's Evening Concert Series on Friday night.
The whole lineup had been plagued with delays, meaning Hill's set didn't start until 2:30am, by which point most of the audience had long gone home, leaving her performing to an almost-empty stadium.
Organisers of the festival took responsibility for the delayed performance, and the R&B singer subsequently thanked them for making it clear the delays "were not (her) fault".
Addressing her reputation for starting shows significantly later than scheduled, Hill wrote on Instagram, "There seems to be a misconception out there though that I am somewhere on the Riviera with my feet up, drink in hand, showing up to concerts whenever because I am too important to care. That's nonsense... and anyone who's been a part of these productions knows that IN FACT the opposite is true."
The Fugees singer explained that she is involved in every aspect of her performances, from production to design and arranging the music, while also being a parent and a grandparent.
"I'm often quiet, knowing full well that God fights my battles, but this is not the first time production delays have delayed my performances," she continued.
"This IS however the first time a promoter has acknowledged the slip up on their end, (thank you Essence!) and this will be the last time I'll allow production challenges to look like the fault is mine alone when they aren't (sic)."
Hill concluded her post by thanking audience members who "stayed and rocked with us" despite the late start.
The bill also featured performances from GloRilla, The Isley Brothers, Babyface and Maxwell.
