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Set to take place at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, Diaspora Calling! is Hill’s only scheduled performance for 2026 so far. Fans of The Fugees in particular will revel in the fact that the upcoming festival will see Hill and Jean on stage together for the first time since their appearance at the Global Citizen Festival in New York in September 2023. Fans of Hill in particular have been waiting for a performance from the eight time Grammy winner since April 2024 where she performed at Coachella alongside YG Marley.

The inaugrual Diaspora Calling festival took place in Brooklyn, New York in April 2016. Ten years later, the cultural celebration will make its way over to England. Currently, there is only one date available, however the initial execution of the idea spanned over a three day festival. It included performances from Stephen Marley as well as African drumming and dancing, before Hill took to the stage. Described as a woman on fire, Hill performed an acoustic set as well as covers and renditions of the infamous ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ which was released in August 1998. Infamous for its longevity, honestly and cultural relevance, Hill’s debut album propelled her into superstardom. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, going on to break the record for most nominations (10) and wins (5) at the Grammy Awards in 1999.

Moving away from the festival template, Diaspora Calling! later pivoted to a tour format. During its run between 2016 and 2017, it helped to platform artists such as Noname, Little Simz and Kehlani aswell as including appearances from rapper Nas. Fans attending the UK edition of the festival will be expectantly waiting for the next release of guests.

Tickets will be released on Tuesday March 31st and fans can sign up now to join a waiting list.

Top acts will include Ms Lauryn Hill with rock-rap supergroup Prophets of Rage, who combine members from Rage Against the Machine, Cypress Hill and Public Enemy, pioneers of alternative hip-hop meets garage The Streets, and drum and bass royalty Chase and Status with their RTRN II JUNGLE takeover. Other major acts which have been confirmed for the 5-dayfestival are British electronica duo Groove Armada, female rap crew Salt-N-Pepa, and reggae band UB40 ft. Joining these are Ali Campbell and Astro, unapologetic punk from Slaves and the very welcome return of the riotous Gogol Bordello for their third appearance at Boomtown.

Commenting on the announcement, a Boomtown organiser said: “This is by far the most eclectic and diverse line-up we’ve ever had, it’s even more ‘Boomtown’ than ever before. There is something really special about completely different artists, who are at the top of the genre they represent all together on the same bill. It feels like a true privilege to be able to introduce thousands of people to a huge amount of totally different music from all over the world and the entire spectrum of musical tastes.”

Performing on the main live stages in the Town Centre, Whistlers Green and Copper County districts will be Swedish electronic quartet Little Dragon, multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd; poet, rapper, playwright and novelist Kate Tempest and Canadian influenced Bedouin Soundclash.

In Hangar 161, the district’s squatted ex-military aerodrome, expect energetic crust-punk from Leftöver Crack, pioneering dub punk from Inner Terrestrials and hardcore punk from Russia’s The Svetlanas and Siberian Meat Grinder as well as the return of Moscow Death Brigade with their unique politically charged blend of techno, rap and punk. The brand new techno focussed district, ‘AREA 404’, will host some of the genres most influential figures with headliners including Amelie Lens and FourTet and techno-house founding father Carl Cox.

At the Metropolis district, the main house and disco stage, Horse Meat Disco return to the festival on Saturday alongside Mighty Mouse and The 2 Bears. On Sunday, Patrick Topping makes his Boomtown debut with a world exclusive all day long set, with closing show appearances from garage and bassline producer Flava D.

Boomtown has said that the 2019 festival will include its biggest drum and bass lineup so far with the likes of Bad Company UK, Meftjus and Break all performing across its two main stages. Other DnB allstars across the weekend include Calyx & Teebee, Black Sun Empire, Total Science b2b DLR as well as Boomtown favourites My Nu Leng returning for the Sunday night closing set.

Emily Ford Sustainability Coordinator at Boomtown, said: “It’s about the bill. We deliver a headline line up that guarantees artists from international superstars through to grassroots talent. It’s a programme that takes the public on a musical journey of discovery that isn’t found anywhere else.”

Image taken by Mike Massaro at Chris Lorenzo’s 2018 Boomtown set.

In June this year, IAMDDB released her Flightmode Vol.4 Album and dropped two videos called “Drippy” & “Kurr£ncy” that are featured on the Album.  The Album features 8 songs and consists of her personality and signature style shining through in each. The first 3 songs start off very calm and showcase her vocal skills and sound by the influence of Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. Each song caters to a theme in particular which is either love, self-affirmation or just being a bad bitch as she portrays in ‘Drippy’ & ‘Kurr£ncy’. In both these songs, IAMDDB wanted to promote her new lifestyle of “dripping sauce” and “making money moves”. The songs having memorable lyrics such as “Look at me flex, I got the sauce yeah” and “Money making moves, yeah I make it”.

After IAMDDB released her video for ‘Drippy’ back in early June, she decided to release her video for ‘Kurr£ncy’ a few days ago. The two videos are shot in different elements showcasing DDB’s personality. One shows a more classy and sophisticated approach whereas the other one is more chilled out.  The video is currently pushing onto 200,00 views and shows DDB wearing very stylish clothes and flaunting money with her friends. Most of all DDB wanted to stunt on those haters who doubted her music and sound by showing numbers don’t lie. The visuals are very much DDB by the different colors contrasted within the video and the angles to highlight her location being Tokyo. At the end of the video, you will hear the sound and the beat of the music slowly disappearing and her acoustic voice following in leaving the song off lightly. Many DDB fans and supporters are liking the new sound she’s bringing to her music while being able to keep her signature raspy sound.

IAMDDB revealed in early September that she would be hitting the road with Lauryn Hill for the 20th-anniversary tour which will take place in early December. So make sure to get your tickets. Until then check out her new video down below.

Buy your tickets here