Inside Lauryn Hill’s Lively Meet-Up at Tribe.co
Last week, folks lined up outside of Tribe.co – A Black woman-owned vintage fashion shop in the nation’s capital – to purchase Lauryn Hill-themed merch and for a chance to meet the legendary songstress herself, braving freezing temperatures to do so. A DJ kept the energy high while fans mixed and mingled, browsed Lauryn Hill merch and bonded over what Ms. Hill’s music has meant to them over the years. The space buzzed with conversation and movement, transforming the pop-up into a lively cultural moment rather than a fleeting fan encounter.
Photo taken by: @luniverse
For the owner of Tribe.co, hosting the pop-up aligned naturally with the shop’s mission of creating space for culture, community and creativity. When asked what it meant to host such an iconic event in her shop, she replied “My 14-year old self wouldn’t believe this. I can’t even put it into words because it’s like, can I retire now? I don’t know… Because I don’t know what could top this! But I mean I’m gonna try to find out.”
Photo taken by: @luniverse
Ms. Lauryn Hill’s intimate “Artist Residence” Canada tour kicked off on November 19th, with show stops in Winnipeg, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Ottawa. Ms. Hill blessed Ottawa with two back-to-back shows on December 19th, marking the end of the tour. The tour focused on smaller venues for a closer connection with fans, while supporting local community outreach through the MLH fund; $2 from each ticket sold went to the MLH fund to support local outreach and initiatives in each city.
The pop-up ran from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, giving fans an ample amount of time to browse the many merch options available. At around 3:00 PM, Tribe.co was PACKED. Folks were lined up outside while security was controlling the flow of traffic coming in and out of the shop in anticipation for Ms. Hill’s arrival – the legendary soul artist made her grand entrance around 3:30 PM and the crowd went wild.
Photo taken by: @luniverse
One of the main event curators was Jude Dontoh – a Ghanaian fashion designer and the co-founder of Tribe of God – who played the role of Ms. Hill’s assistant and right-hand man for the duration of the “Artist in Residence” tour. Dontoh has been by Ms. Hill’s side for most of 2025, even accompanying her to this year’s Met Gala and walking the carpet with her.
When asked why the team felt it was important to create a space where fans could connect with Ms. Hill beyond the stage, Dontoh emphasized that the experience was about honoring her humanity as much as her artistry, “Aside from her music, she’s just way more than that. Full of wisdom and love, she is such a beautiful human being and people deserve the chance to meet the soul and the person just like I have. So, we put this together for the people.”
Photo taken by: @luniverse
The meet-up felt intentional and community-centered, with harmonious energy that extended beyond the walls of Tribe.co. Local creatives and community builders — including Spotted Ottawa, Reviews by Revello, Kinglsey Swim and Luniverse – were also in attendance, among many others, underscoring the city’s collective presence for the moment.
The turnout spoke volumes. More than a merch pop-up or meet-and-greet, the event marked a cultural moment for Ottawa – one that continues to affirm the city’s growing reputation as a hub for artists, creatives and community driven spaces. If you’re in the Ottawa/Gatineau area, please be sure to check out Tribe.co and support them by spending some coins!