Wyclef Jean

Though Jean was born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti and had lived in the country since he was nine, he spent most of his childhood and formative years as a musician in the United States. Jean cites reggae and Bigga Haitian as his earliest musical influences but since his move to the States he developed a love for hip-hop music.

One of Jean’s first professional musical endeavors and undeniably one of his most successful was the formation of the Fugees. The group formed in South Orange, New Jersey in the 80s, initially under the moniker Tranzlator Crew. During their assimilation to Ruffhouse and Columbia Records they altered their name to the Fugees and put out their studio debut “Blunted on Reality” a year later. This album did relatively well on the charts, but did not come close to achieving the success they reached with their sophomore release “The Score”. This album topped the US Billboard 200 and has since obtained Platinum status six times over. The Fugees disbanded in 1997 with only two albums under their belt, but left an indelible impression on both hip-hop and pop culture.

Jean was the first member of the Fugees to start a solo career and wasted no time in doing so. The year the group broke up he released his debut studio album “The Carnival”. The album contained over 73 minutes of material and featured guest spots from Lauryn Hill, Celia Cruz, John Forte, and even the Haitian politician/ former musician Michael Joseph Martelly. The album hosted the three singles “Guantanamera”, “Gone till November”, and “We Trying to Stay Alive” (the latter an ode to the Bee Gees). Additionally the album garnered praise from more underground critics like the Village Voice and excelled commercially, placing at No.16 on the US Billboard 200 and selling over 5 million copies since it’s release.

Jean’s next studio album also sported a hefty list of guest artists spanning from pioneering funk troupe Earth, Wind & Fire to actor/pro-wrestler Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock). His 3rd studio album “Masquerade” was issued on 18 July 2002 and out performed his previous two releases, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. Prior to the release of this album Wyclef suffered the loss of his father and pursued a career as an actor making an appearance in the film “Shottas” (a Jamaican gangster movie). These events (particularly the loss of his father) influenced the tone of “Masquerade” and contrary to his past works he included surprising reworking of songs by Bob Dylan and Frankie Valli and also included a guest spot for Tom Jones on his rendition of “Pussycat”.

Not even three albums into his career Jean issued a Greatest Hits compilation in 2003 and followed it up the same year with his studio LP “The Preacher’s Son” (an obvious self-reference as his father was a Nazarene pastor). Jean’s 5th studio album “Welcome to Haiti” marked a drastic alternation in style as every song was performed in a foreign language and was heavily influenced by Caribbean culture.

Jean’s sequel to his debut “Carnival Vol. II Memoirs of an Immigrant” was released at the close of 2007 and was chalked full of differing guest musicians: Serj Tankian, Shakira, Paul Simon, Mary J. Blige, Norah Jones, Lil Wayne, Akon etc...

Jean’s next full length release “From the Hut, to the Projects, to the Mansion” is a concept album based on the Haitian revolutionary “Toussaint L’Ouverture”. He followed up this album with yet another Haitian themed release “If I Were President: My Haitian Experience”. As the title suggests this recording is influenced by and coincided with Jean’s decision to run for president of Haiti.

Outside Jean’s solo career he is heavily involved in politics and charity work, particularly in regards to his home country Haiti. He has also established himself as a highly sought after songwriter and has composed material for Destiny Child, Sublime, Simply Red, Whitney Houston, Cypress Hill, Michael Jackson, Mya, Santana, Mick Jagger, and Sinead O’Connor among others.