Wyclef Jean

Wyclef Jean (born October 17, 1972 in La Plaine, Haiti) is a rapper, producer, and former member of the superstar hip hop trio The Fugees, known now for a series of high-profile hit singles.

Related Topics:
October 17 - 1972 - Haiti - Rapper - Producer - Hip hop - The Fugees

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Born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, Jean moved to Brooklyn when he was nine, then to Northern New Jersey, where he began playing the guitar and studying jazz in high school. In 1987, Jean, his friend (so close they told people they were cousins, growing up) Prakazrel Michel (Pras) and his classmate, Lauryn Hill, formed a group called the Tranzlator Crew before becoming The Fugees. Wyclef worked as a cabdriver.

Related Topics:
Croix-des-Bouquets - Brooklyn - New Jersey - Guitar - Jazz - 1987 - Pras - Lauryn Hill

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The Fugees signed to Ruffhouse Records and released their debut, Blunted on Reality, but the album was panned and sold poorly. Their eclectic follow-up, The Score, however, sold over 17 million copies worldwide and turned the trio into international superstars. Jean soon announced plans to begin a solo career with 1997's Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival Featuring the Refugee All-Stars (more typically called simply The Carnival). The album's guests included Hill and Pras along with Jean's siblings, the I Threes (back-up vocals for Bob Marley), Neville Brothers and Celia Cruz. The album was a major hit, as were two singles: "We Trying to Stay Alive" (adapted from The Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive") and "Gone Til November" (recorded with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra).

Related Topics:
Ruffhouse Records - Blunted on Reality - The Score - 1997 - Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival Featuring the Refugee All-Stars - I Threes - Bob Marley - Neville Brothers - Celia Cruz - The Bee Gees - New York Philharmonic Orchestra

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Jean went on to work with artists including Santana, Tevin Campbell, Cypress Hill, Bounty Killer, Whitney Houston, Destiny's Child, Sublime, Simply Red, Mya, Sinéad O'Connor, Kimberly Scott, Mick Jagger, Canibus, The Black Eyed Peas and Eric Benét. The Fugees remained in limbo during this time, with the follow-up to The Score being continually postponed as all three members cultivated solo careers. Jean's second solo album was ', recorded with guests Youssou N'Dour, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kenny Rogers, The Rock and Mary J. Blige. The critical reception was mixed, with many calling the album scattershot and too far-ranging to be cohesive.

Related Topics:
Santana - Tevin Campbell - Cypress Hill - Bounty Killer - Whitney Houston - Destiny's Child - Sublime - Simply Red - Mya - Sinéad O'Connor - Kimberly Scott - Mick Jagger - Canibus - The Black Eyed Peas - Eric Benét - Youssou N'Dour - Earth, Wind & Fire - Kenny Rogers - The Rock - Mary J. Blige

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Jean's third album, Masquerade, was released in 2002 and sold well, though critics frequently panned it.

Related Topics:
Masquerade - 2002

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His fourth album was The Preacher's Son, an album that Wyclef considered a continuation of his first album, Carnival.

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In 2004, he released his fifth album, entitled Sak Pasé Presents: Welcome to Haiti (Creole 101) (released in the United States by Koch Records). A freewheeling album that is something of a return to his Caribbean roots, most of the songs on the album are in his native language of Haitian Creole or Kreyòl. He also covered Creedence Clearwater Revival's song "Fortunate Son" for the soundtrack of The Manchurian Candidate.

Related Topics:
Koch Records - Haitian Creole - Creedence Clearwater Revival - The Manchurian Candidate

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Jean also produced and wrote original songs for the original soundtrack to the 2003 Documentary "The Agronomist", a film about the legendary Jean Dominique, an active man of the people of Wyclef's homeland, Haiti.

Related Topics:
The Agronomist - Jean Dominique

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In 2005, Jean earned a Golden Globe nomination for his track entitled "Million Voices" featured on the soundtrack to the film Hotel Rwanda.

Related Topics:
Million Voices - Hotel Rwanda

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