Essence Festival organizers have taken responsibility for a concert that ran so far behind schedule that Lauryn Hill wound up taking the stage at around 2:30 in the morning. Delays completely derailed the opening day of the 31st annual event,

Essence Festival shows support for Lauryn Hill in a lengthy statement following her delayed 2 a.m. performance on July 5.

Essence Festival organizers come to the defense of the legendary Lauryn Hill after the singer appeared at roughly 2:30 AM for a stadium performance. On July 5, Essence Festival attendees were not enthused when legendary singer Lauryn Hill appeared late—at roughly 2:30 AM—to perform for a mostly empty stadium.