Lovers & Friends crop

Lovers & Friends festival cancelled

Throwback late ’90s, early ’00s hip hop and R&B-focused Los Angeles festival Lovers and Friends has had something of a tumultuous ride — shortly after Goldenvoice announced the fest in February, Lil Kim called it “fake” on Instagram, igniting a flurry of suspicious. Snoop Dogg, who helped book the lineup, confirmed the festival’s veracity, as did Goldenvoice, and when it expanded to two days later in February, Lil Kim was still on the lineup.

Scheduled for May 8 and 9 at The Grounds at Dignity Health Sports Park, Lovers & Friends was of course postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic, and rescheduled for a single day, August 8, losing a few artists off the two-day lineup in the process. And now, it’s been cancelled entirely. Here’s a message from organizers:

Dear Lovers & Friends,

After much consideration and monitoring of the ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are saddened to announce that Lovers & Friends Festival 2020 will not be taking place. It breaks our hearts that we aren’t able to see each other in August, but our number one priority is the health and safety of you and everyone involved in the festival. The time will come when your lovers can buy u a drank and you and your friends can sing along to your favorite Slow Jamz together. We appreciate your patience, and we can’t wait to sing together soon.

All 2020 tickets purchased through our official ticket provider Elevate will automatically be cancelled and refunded. Tickets will be refunded within 30 business days.

Stay safe and healthy. We can’t wait to see you soon.

The lineup for the festival’s August edition included Ms. Lauryn Hill, Usher with Ludacris and Lil Jon, TLC, Jhene Aiko, Summer Walker, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Nelly, T-Pain, Lil Kim, Brandy, Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Eve, Ginuwine, SWV, Saweetie, Ma$e, Trick Daddy, Dru Hill, Next, 112, Mario, Donell Jones, Foxy Brown, Trina, Tweet, Amerie, Twista, Cam’ron, Mike Jones, Montell Jordan, Mereba, Umi, Jon B, Baby Bash, Frankie J, and Nina Sky.