Lauryn Hills is off the hook as Essence takes blame for a set that wrapped after 3:30 a.m. Stephanie Mills, however, is still hot over how the festival was run.

The Fugees singer took the stage at an almost-empty Caesars Superdome two hours behind scheduleNEED TO KNOWEssence Fest has released a statement following Lauryn Hill's very-delayed performance at Caesars SuperdomeThe singer was meant to take the stage at 12:30 a.

Fans who stuck around for Hill’s performance got a treat. A robust band of more than 10 members played as Black history montages filled the background screens. Hill emerged in a blue polka dot full-length dress wearing a gele atop her head and a low-hanging statement necklace showcasing what appeared to be fertility figurines.