Drake kicked off his headlining run at London’s Wireless Festival with a major surprise, welcoming legendary artist Lauryn Hill to the stage for the first of his three performances.
The highlight of the R&B-themed evening saw Hill perform her iconic 1998 song “Ex-Factor.” The performance seamlessly transitioned into Drake’s 2018 hit “Nice For What,” which famously samples the track from Hill’s Grammy-winning album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
Hill was one of several guest performers Drake invited to fit the night’s theme. The lineup also included R&B acts Mario, Bobby Valentino, Bryson Tiller, and Giveon. Drake’s OVO labelmate PARTYNEXTDOOR also joined him for a series of collaborations, including “Come and See Me.”
The surprise appearance generated an enthusiastic response from the audience. On social media, one attendee described the transition as “one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen live” and “an absolutely insane moment.” Videos from the event captured the crowd’s excitement.
The warm reception in London stood in stark contrast to Hill’s recent appearance at the Essence Festival in New Orleans. There, logistical issues delayed her set until approximately 3 a.m., leading her to perform for a significantly smaller crowd. Essence Festival organizers publicly accepted responsibility for the technical problems that caused the delay.
Drake, who recently addressed his 2024 feud with Kendrick Lamar on his new single “What Did I Miss?,” is scheduled to perform again on Saturday and Sunday. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Wireless Festival, which has previously featured artists such as Rihanna, Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj. It is Drake’s fourth appearance at the event, following performances in 2012, 2015, and 2021.
