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Wyclef Jean

Historical Figure

Wyclef Jean

b. 1969

Haitian rapper (born 1969)

Modern

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Biography

Nelust Wyclef Jean is a Haitian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born in Haiti, Jean emigrated to the United States as a child. He gained fame as a founding member of the Fugees, a New Jersey–based hip hop trio he formed in 1990 with Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel, serving as the group's lead producer and guitarist. Their second album The Score (1996) became one of the best-selling albums of all time. Following the Fugees' success, Jean launched a solo career with Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival (1997), which featured the Billboard Hot 100-top ten hit "Gone till November".

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Timeline

The story of Wyclef Jean, told in moments.

1996 Life

The Fugees released The Score. Wyclef produced most of it. The album sold 22 million copies worldwide. Their cover of "Killing Me Softly" went to number one in multiple countries. Then the group fell apart over personal tensions between him and Lauryn Hill.

2006 Life

Guest-performed on Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie." It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and charts in over 50 countries. He'd co-written Whitney Houston's "My Love Is Your Love" and Santana's "Maria Maria" in the years between.

2010 Life

Filed to run for president of Haiti after the devastating earthquake. His candidacy was rejected because he hadn't lived in Haiti for five consecutive years, as required by the constitution. His charity, Yele Haiti, later faced financial scrutiny and shut down.

Artifacts (9)

Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival Featuring Refugee Allstars: Sound Recording

1 sound disc; digital stereo; 4 3/4.

1997

Ghosts of Cite de Soleil Film Tie in

Two hours off the shores of Miami Beach lies the troubled paradise of Haiti. Ignored by the rest of the world, it is a country and people in turmoil. Life for the majority is a desperate struggle...

2007

Purpose (Enhanced Edition): An Immigrant's Story

The enhanced e-book edition of Purpose takes you behind the scenes into hip-hop legend Wyclef Jean's log cabin inspired New York studio. In 10 exclusive video interviews and 3 video performances of...

2012

Purpose (Enhanced Edition): An Immigrant's Story

Purpose is Wyclef Jean’s powerful story of a life rooted in struggle, soul-searching, art, and survival. In his own voice the multi-platinum musician and producer shares everything, from his childhood...

2012

And I didn't want to do it because it was a fad. I wanted to do it because it's ...

when their career fails, but I chose to do it at the height of the popularity of Destiny's Child", Williams explained during the album's release. "And I didn't want to do it because it was a fad. I...

Works Talk

Some people will do gospel when their career fails, but I chose to do it at the ...

Mary Mary duo, taking the singer's work further into urban contemporary gospel and Christian music. "Some people will do gospel when their career fails, but I chose to do it at the height of the...

Works Talk

Presents The Carnival Featuring Refugee Allstars

1997

The Carnival

1997

Carnival Vol. 2: Memoirs of an Immigrant

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