Ms. Lauryn Hill made a memorable appearance on The Tonight Show on Tuesday night, celebrating host Jimmy Fallon’s 10th anniversary. The performance featured a powerful medley with her son, YG Marley, that showcased their family’s musical talents. The duo delivered a message of resistance and survival, with imagery of influential figures like Marcus Garvey and Harriet Tubman flashing in the background. The performance included Ms. Hill’s classic “Ex-Factor” and YG Marley’s new single “Survival,” which featured a sample from his grandfather’s band, The Wailers’ “Babylon System.”
During the performance, Ms. Hill delivered a powerful freestyle that touched on systemic racism, assassinated leaders, and the importance of free speech for Black power figures. The medley concluded with a duet of YG Marley’s song “Praise Jah In The Moonlight,” which has achieved international success and made an impact on the Billboard charts. YG Marley, the son of Rohan Marley and grandson of Bob Marley, is continuing the family’s musical legacy with his successful debut in the music industry.
The performance highlighted the unapologetic expression and tenacity of Ms. Hill and YG Marley, with visuals of Haile Selassie, an influential figure in Rastafarianism, serving as a testament to their message. The duo’s performance was a touching mother-son moment that captivated the audience and showcased their immense musical talent. Ms. Hill’s iconic voice and YG Marley’s budding talent created a dream-like atmosphere on stage, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
Ms. Hill’s freestyle touched on the impact of systemic oppression on Black leaders and the importance of protecting free speech for political figures. The performance was a powerful reminder of the legacy of resistance and survival that has been passed down through generations, with Ms. Hill and YG Marley continuing to carry that torch through their music. The inclusion of iconic figures like Marcus Garvey and Harriet Tubman in the visuals added depth to the message of empowerment and solidarity that the duo conveyed.
YG Marley’s success on the Billboard charts as the sixth Marley family member to achieve this feat solidifies his place in the music industry and demonstrates his innate talent. The performance on The Tonight Show served as a platform for Ms. Hill and YG Marley to showcase their artistry and share their message with a wider audience. The mother-son duo’s collaboration was a true testament to the power of music to inspire, empower, and unite people, resonating with viewers and leaving a lasting impact.
