Lauryn Hill Delivers a Surprise Performance at Her High School Reunion in New Jersey

Michael Saponara
·2 min read
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Not many high-school reunions boast a Grammy-winning superstar, but Lauryn Hill popped out at her Columbia High School reunion in Maplewood, N.J., earlier in August.

But according to videos shared by her former classmates, not only did Hill show up, she even picked up the mic and delivered an impromptu performance, during which the New Jersey native ran through classic hits from her discography.

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She performed anthems such as The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill‘s “Ex-Factor” as well as the Fugees’ “Ready or Not,” which saw her tweak lyrics with a salute to her old stomping grounds on campus. “CHS taking over/ Buffalo soldier/ Dreadlock Rasta,” she raps.

“God bless y’all. I love you so much,” she concluded.

Hill’s classmates shared their excitement on social media about seeing the superstar show up and show out for them in such an intimate setting. One of her classmates said she was even left “speechless,” while another thought she was “dreaming.”

“People traveled from out of state to love up on their village. It was simply amazing. Still speechless from @mslaurynhill giving us an impromptu performance,” one person wrote to Instagram. “This reunion was SO good for the soul.”

Another classmate added: “I’m just waking up from last Saturday night….. Was I dreaming orrrrrrr????Did this really happen???? Ms. Hill is undoubtedly a gift from the heavens.”

Lauryn Hill and the Fugees were slated to head out on tour this summer, but quietly canceled the trek just prior to it lifting off earlier in August. Hill blamed a “narrative” that impacted ticket sales, but the tour’s U.K. and European shows are moving forward as planned.

“Last year, I faced an injury that necessitated the rescheduling of some of my shows. Regrettably, some media outlet’s penchant for sensationalism and clickbait headlines have seemingly created a narrative that has affected ticket sales for the North American portion of the tour,” she wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. “The trust and faith I have in my intentions and my commitment to my art seem to have been overshadowed by this unfortunate portrayal.”

Watch Lauryn Hill’s performance at the high school reunion below.

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