Interview: Wyclef Jean - Rapper, Songwriter, and Producer

UPDATE - Haiti native Jean issued a statement in response to the calamitous January 12 earthquake in his home country: "Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake - and several very strong aftershocks - struck only 10 miles from Port-au-Prince...We are asking those interested to please do one of two things: Either you can use your cell phone to text “Yele” to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (it will be charged to your cell phone bill), or you can visit Yele.org and click on DONATE."

At the age of 37, Wyclef Jean is young enough to have his finger on the pulse of today’s hottest music trends, yet old enough to respect and acknowledge the path his forebears blazed in front of him. Following in the footsteps of Babyface and Quincy Jones, he has learned the value of ownership, as well as the need to hone his musical craft, even if his God-given talents have brought him thus far. Such wisdom, undoubtedly, comes with age.

Wyclef Jean is well-aware that music shouldn’t be made just for music’s sake. And although it has become quite customary to say that music has the power to change the world, Jean believes in this sentiment with every fiber of his being. Having traveled the world, due to his legendary status as one-third of The Fugees, hip-hop’s eclectic pioneer group, Wyclef has not rested upon the laurels of his past success. With the founding of Yéle Haiti, he has utilized his superstar status to bring international attention to the social and economic plight of his mother country. Thus, in an ironic twist of fate, Wyclef Jean’s humanitarian efforts have garnered him a dose of love and respect beyond his musical ventures.

On November 10, 2009, Wyclef Jean released his sixth solo project. Upon the release of From the Hut, To the Projects, To the Mansion, he managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on his father’s influence, the evolution of the contemporary music landscape, and the blessings reaped from Platinum Sound Studios.

Your latest release is entitled From the Hut, To the Projects, To the Mansion. As you have traveled from Haiti to Brooklyn to Jersey and then back to Haiti, what major life lessons have you learned along the way, as you’ve grown in the music business?

Article Author: Clayton Perry

Over the past few years, Clayton Perry has interviewed some of the BIGGEST entertainers in music, film and television. Check out his digital archive with 180+ definitive conversation pieces.

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