Wyclef Jean Biography

(Haitian Rapper Who is a Member of the New Jersey Hip Hop group 'Fugees')

Birthday: October 17, 1969 (Libra)

Born In: Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti

Wyclef Jean is an American-Haitian rapper and song-writer who is widely recognised for his album, ‘The Score’ that became a roaring success. Raised by a preacher father, he initially started his musical career by singing in church choirs. As a young boy, he was forbidden to listen to rap music and whenever he did so, he was severely caned for ‘playing the devil’s music’. Despite being prohibited by his father, Jean formed a band with two of his singer-songwriter friends. Though their first album was received warmly, it was their second album that brought them recognition. But soon, the trio split to venture ‘solo’ and Jean released his debut solo album that made waves in the world of music. This lead to the release of a series of hit singles and he was even invited to collaborate with several musicians and singers. Apart from his musical career, he also hinted his political ambitions by filing his candidature in the 2010 Haitian presidential elections. He is the founder of the ‘Yele Haiti’ organization, known for its charitable works for the poor and victims of natural disasters. He has received many prestigious awards for music and honoured for his humanitarian services.

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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Nel Ust Wyclef Jean

Age: 55 Years, 55 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Marie Claudinette jean

children: Angelina Claudinelle Jean

Born Country: Haiti

Rappers Hip Hop Singers

Height: 5'11" (180 cm), 5'11" Males

Ancestry: Haitian American

More Facts

education: Berklee College of Music

  • 1

    What inspired Wyclef Jean to pursue a career in music?

    Wyclef Jean was inspired by his father, who was also a musician, and by the rich musical heritage of his native country, Haiti.

  • 2

    What is Wyclef Jean's musical style known for?

    Wyclef Jean's musical style is known for blending elements of hip hop, reggae, and traditional Haitian music, creating a unique and eclectic sound.

  • 3

    Has Wyclef Jean been involved in any philanthropic efforts?

    Yes, Wyclef Jean has been actively involved in various philanthropic efforts, including helping to raise funds for disaster relief in Haiti and supporting education initiatives in underprivileged communities.

  • 4

    What is Wyclef Jean's role in the music group, Fugees?

    Wyclef Jean was a founding member of the Fugees, a hip hop group known for their hits like "Killing Me Softly" and "Ready or Not." He contributed vocals, production, and songwriting to the group's success.

  • 5

    Has Wyclef Jean ventured into other forms of entertainment besides music?

    Yes, Wyclef Jean has also explored acting and producing in addition to his music career. He has appeared in films and television shows, showcasing his versatility and creativity beyond the music industry.

Childhood & Early Life
Wyclef Jean, also known as Nel Ust Wyclef Jean, was born to a Nazarene pastor, Gesner Jean, in the small town of Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti.
He and his three siblings were raised by their relatives when their parents moved to America. Later, young Jean also moved to the US at the age of 9.
He graduated from Vailsburg High School, Newark, after which he enrolled at the Eastern Nazarene College, Massachusetts. He briefly studied at the Five Town’s College in Dix Hill, and dropped out to pursue a career in music.
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Career
He collaborated with singer-songwriters Lauryn Hill and Prakazrel ‘Pras’ Michel, to form ‘The Refugee Camp’ band, which was later renamed to ‘The Fugees’. In 1993, they signed a record deal with ‘Ruffhouse Records’ and released their first album, ‘Blunted on Reality’, which became a moderate success.
The trio went on to release their second and highly successful album, ‘The Score’ in 1996. After this, he announced the release of his debut solo album, ‘The Carnival-1997’, which featured Hill and Pras, and contained two hit singles.
In the early 2000s, his solo albums, ‘The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book’ ‘Masquerade’, ‘Greatest Hits’ and ‘The Preacher’s Son’ were released. Around this time, he also featured in hit albums by other popular singers like Whitney Houston, Shakira and Carlos Santana.
He has also written songs for some movies including ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ as well as for the documentary movie, ‘The Agronomist’.
In 2007, his single ’Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)’ from his album, ‘Carnival Vol. II’ featuring rapper Lil Wayne and Akon, became a huge hit.
On November 10, 2009, his ‘Extended Play (EP)’ album, ‘From the Hut, to the Projects, to the Mansion’ was released, which featured Lil’Kim and Timbaland.
He is also famous for his charitable works through the ‘Wyclef Jean Foundation’ (later renamed as ‘Yele Haiti’), which was founded in 1988. This foundation is located in Illinois, U.S. and was primarily established to help the victims of ‘Hurricane Jeanne’.
On August 20, 2010, he announced his candidature for the Haitian presidential election, but it was rejected by the Haitian Provisional Electoral Council as he did not fulfil certain residential requirements.
Major Works
The 1996 album, ‘The Score’, ranked number 477 in the ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine’s list of ‘500 greatest albums of all time’ in 2003, was a major breakthrough in Jean’s musical career. It fetched the ‘Fugees’ their first ‘Grammy Award’ in two categories. It sold over 18 million copies and was on the no. 1 slot on the ‘Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums’ and ‘Billboard 200’.
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Awards & Achievements
In 2005, he shared the ‘Golden Satellite Award’ for ‘Best Original Song’ with Andrea Guerra and Jerry Duplessis, for the film ‘Hotel Rwanda’.
He also won the ‘BET Award’ for his humanitarian efforts in 2009.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married Marie Claudinette in 1994 and the couple adopted daughter, Angelina Claudette Jean in March 2005.
In 2009, they renewed their wedding vows and currently stay together in New York City.
Facts About Wyclef Jean

In addition to English, Wyclef Jean is also fluent in Creole, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Wyclef Jean has a passion for philanthropy and has been involved in various charitable initiatives throughout his career. He founded the Yéle Haiti Foundation to provide aid and support to his native country following natural disasters.

Not only is Wyclef Jean a talented musician, but he is also a skilled guitarist and can play multiple instruments, including the guitar, drums, and piano.

Wyclef Jean has ventured into the world of politics, running for president of Haiti in 2010. Although he was disqualified from the race, his ambition to make a positive impact on his homeland is commendable.

Wyclef Jean has collaborated with a diverse range of artists from different genres, showcasing his versatility and willingness to explore new musical styles. His collaborations have included artists such as Shakira, Santana, and Mary J. Blige.

Awards

Grammy Awards
2000 Album of the Year Winner
1997 Best Rap Album Winner
1997 Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Winner
MTV Video Music Awards
1998 Best R&B Video Wyclef Jean: Gone Till November (1997)

See the events in life of Wyclef Jean in Chronological Order

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- Wyclef Jean Biography
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URL
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