Joe Bogdanovich On Lauryn Hill’s Sumfest Performance: “It’s The Best I’ve Seen Her In A Long Time”

Joe Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Entertainment, has hailed Lauryn Hill’s surprise Reggae Sumfest performance on night one as the best from her in a long time.

During a conversation with DancehallMag backstage at the 31-year-old festival, the CEO also revealed that three months prior at Coachella, the R&B legend and her son YG Marley would have been at the event.

“Ms. Hill is somebody that’s truly exceptional, we spoke when I was at Coachella and I knew then that she would be here with her son in Jamaica, and she did brilliant things, it’s the best i’ve seen her in a long time.”

The record producer described the seven-day festival as a joyous occasion for attendees, elevated to a new level by Baby Face’s performance.

“Everyone has enjoyed it, the whole festival was joyous, all 7 days and nights but this one with Baby Face took it to a next level also, and it just goes to show that great music prevails, it’s beyond hype.”

When asked about the young acts who didn’t perform on night one, Bogdanovich expressed disappointment.

“There was a little mix-up with a couple of the young acts yesterday (night 1), that was very disappointing for the industry and goes to show that hype doesn’t go too far,” he said.

Pressed for specific names—Kraff and Jada Kingdom were suggested—Bogdanovich replied, “There might be another one; jeez, how quickly we forget their names.” 

He continued, “If you want to improve you have to clean your heart out, and get clean and start supporting one another as brethrin dem yuh nuh, and be able to make better music and a lot more fun and a lot more love and unity.”

Bogdanovich also went on to state that he plays an integral role in every aspect of planning for the festival alongside a very dynamic and creative team with which he works closely.

“We work together, my team is creative and when it comes to someone like Nigy Boy, someone like Baby Face, somebody like YG Marley, somebody like Lauryn Hill, those are a few that I brought to the table.”