As a former member of successful hip-hop group, The Fugees and as a solo artist, Wyclef Jean has an international following. He is a leading exponent of the reggae and hip-hop genres and a respected record producer. He feels a strong connection to Haiti where he was born. He moved to Brooklyn, New York when he was nine years old and subsequently lived in New Jersey.
High School gave him the opportunity to play the guitar and to study jazz. In 1987, he founded The Fugees with his two friends, Lauryn Hill and Pras. Their first album was a disappointing flop but their second one, titled The Score was a monumental international hit and made stars of the three members.
Deciding to launch a solo career, the artist released his own album, called The Carnival in 1997. Both Hill and Pras contributed, as did other artists, including the Neville Brothers and Celia Cruz. The album was a hit and spawned the two hit singles, We Trying To Stay Alive and Gone Til November. The Fugees hadn't officially broken up but the three members were all busily involved in solo projects. Wyclef Jean made a follow up album, titled The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book, which featured several high profile guests, including Kenny Rogers, The Rock, Earth, Wind and Fire and Youssou N'Dour. Mary J. Blige also featured on the single, 911. The album met with mixed reviews.
The third solo album sold rather well and Wyclef Jean felt confident enough to put out his fifth album, Creole 101 with the majority of songs sung in his native language of Haitian Creole. He has also contributed to movie soundtracks, including the track Million Voices, which was nominated for a Golden Globe award, for the movie Hotel Rwanda. He has also taken some minor acting roles in films.
The artist has gained the respect of his fellow musicians, many of whom have collaborated on projects with him. The diverse list includes Tom Jones, Mick Jagger, The Black Eyed peas, Whitney Houston, Queen and Santana.
This performer is multi talented, interested in different musical genres and working with artists outside his normal musical spectrum. He can play five instruments and rap in four languages. In addition to these talents, he has set up his own charitable foundation to work with the disadvantaged in his home country of Haiti. Wyclef Jean may be a superstar now, but he will never forget where he came from.
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