Wyclef Jean | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Jean performing in 2021 | |
| Born | Nel Ust Wyclef Jean October 17, 1969 |
| Other names |
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| Education | Five Towns College Berklee College of Music |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1989–present |
| Organization | Yéle Haiti |
| Works | |
| Spouse |
Claudinette Jean (m. 1994) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives |
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| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
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| Labels | |
| Formerly of | Fugees |
| Website | www |
Nel Ust Wyclef Jean[2] (/ˈwaɪklɛf ˈʒɒn/; born October 17, 1969)[2][3] is a Haitian rapper and record producer. At the age of nine,[4] he emigrated with his family to the Northeastern United States. In 1990, he formed the New Jersey–based hip hop trio Fugees with fellow musicians Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel. Jean served as lead guitarist and producer. The group released the albums Blunted on Reality (1994) and The Score (1996), the latter becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time. Following their success, Jean released his debut solo album, Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival (1997), which yielded the Billboard Hot 100-top ten single "Gone till November".
In 1997, Jean guest featured on Destiny Child's breakout single "No, No, No". Afterwards, he co-wrote the 1999 singles "My Love Is Your Love" for Whitney Houston, and "Maria Maria" for Santana. His second solo album, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book (2000) was supported by the top 40 single "911" (featuring Mary J. Blige), and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His third album, Masquerade (2002), peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200. He guest performed on Shakira's 2006 single, "Hips Don't Lie", which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100. The following year, his single "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" (featuring Akon, Lil Wayne and Niia) peaked within the top 20 of the chart and led his sixth studio album, Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant (2007). The album moderately entered the Billboard 200 and marked his final to be released by a major label.
In 2007, Jean was appointed Ambassador-at-Large of the Republic of Haiti by President René Préval.[5] In 2010, he filed for candidacy in the 2010 Haitian presidential election.[6] However, Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council ruled him ineligible to stand for office, as he had not met the constitutional requirement to have been a resident in Haiti for five years prior to the election.[3][7] Jean's highly publicized efforts to raise relief funds after the 2010 Haitian earthquake were channeled through his charitable organization, Yéle Haiti. The charity, which conducted education and welfare activities in Haiti between 2005 and 2010, effectively closed in 2012. The New York Times reported that much of the earnings raised by the organization in the Hope for Haiti Now telethon were retained by Jean.[8]
He is the recipient of three Grammy Awards, the BET Humanitarian Award, and a Vanguard Award from the NAACP Image Awards, in addition to being nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his musical work.[9][10][11] In 2011, President Michel Martelly of Haiti awarded Jean with the National Order of Honour and Merit to the rank of Grand Officer. Jean has also been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Jean is one of the artists who have reached the most radio charts on Billboard.[12]
- ^ Jaynes, Gerald D. (February 1, 2005). Encyclopedia of African American Society. SAGE Publications. ISBN 9781452265414. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Wyclef Jean Biography – Facts, Birthday, Life Story". Biography.com (FYI / A&E Networks). Archived from the original on January 18, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
- ^ a b "Wyclef Dumped From Haiti's Presidential Ballo". Time. August 21, 2010. Archived from the original on July 30, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
Before he announced on August 5 that he was running for President of Haiti, Wyclef Jean was still listing his age as only 37 years old. But after declaring himself a presidential candidate, the Haitian hip-hop star also decided to come clean and confirm that he was really 40.
- ^ "Wyclef Jean steps toward Haitian presidential race". Reuters. July 30, 2010. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ NME (January 4, 2007). "Wyclef becomes 'ambassador'". NME. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ Joseph Guyler Delva,"Wyclef Jean registers as Haiti presidential contender" Archived August 9, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, reuters.com, August 6, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
- ^ Wyclef Jean to appeal against Haiti election ruling Archived October 21, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, bbc.co.uk, August 22, 2010.
"Haiti's electoral commission said that Mr Jean was ineligible to stand as the Haitian constitution requires candidates to have lived in the country for five years prior to an election. The 40-year-old singer lives in the US." - ^ Deborah Sontag (October 11, 2012). "In Haiti, Little Can Be Found of a Hip-Hop Artists Charity". New York Times. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
- ^ Past Winners Search Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
- ^ "Wyclef Jean". www.goldenglobes.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
- ^ "Wyclef Jean". IMDb. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ "Post Malone Secures His First Hit on Country Airplay Chart With 'Pickup Man'". Billboard. November 14, 2023. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.