Lauryn Hill and The Fugees have stunned fans by canceling their entire U.S. tour, just days before it was set to kick off.
On Tuesday, the tour dates vanished from Ticketmaster and Live Nation, and fans received cancellation and refund notices. Neither Hill nor The Fugees have explained the sudden decision.
This 18-date tour was to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hill’s iconic album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, starting on August 9 in Tampa, FL. Other stops included Atlanta, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Houston, and Los Angeles, with the final show scheduled in New Jersey on September 21.
However, not all hope is lost. Tickets for the European leg of the tour, starting on October 12 in Manchester, England, are still available.
This isn’t the first time Lauryn Hill has faced issues with tour dates. Last year, she postponed several shows due to vocal cord damage. She shared on social media, “As many of you may know, I’ve been battling serious vocal strain for the past month. I made it through each show by taking prescribed prednisone, but this can be detrimental to the body when taken in large amounts over long periods of time. In order to prevent any long-term negative effect on my voice and my body, I need to take time off to allow for real vocal recovery so that I can discontinue the medication completely.”
Hill added, “For this reason, we have to reschedule most of the remaining shows this year. The shows that were canceled this year will be rescheduled for early 2024 AND because of the overwhelming response, we’ll be adding new cities to the tour, including overseas. We’re working on the new calendar now, and announcing soon.”
Despite the disappointments, there is speculation about new music from both Lauryn Hill and The Fugees. Hill’s son, YG Marley, hinted at a new solo project from his mom in an interview with TMZ. Additionally, a report from Page Six in June suggested that Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel are working on their first album together since 1996’s The Score.
While this cancellation is a major blow for fans, the promise of new music and future tours might just ease the sting.
