The Weekly Observer (Kampala)
Simon Musasizi
30 July 2008
column
US-based singer Wyclef Jean is to unveil Zain, Celtel Uganda's new brand name, this Friday at Lugogo Cricket Oval. He is accompanied by popular DJ Benny D.
Wyclef Jean's musical journey, according to imeem.com, began in Haiti, where he sang in his father's church at the age of 3.
Twelve years later, after moving to the United States at age 9, Wyclef formed his first serious musical collaboration, the Tranzlator Crew, in 1987, with New Jersey classmates Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel (whom Wyclef calls his cousin).
By 1994, the Tranzlator Crew had become the Fugees and the group enjoyed its first critical acclaim and moderate chart success with its debut album, Blunted On Reality, and a pair of singles: Nappy Heads and Vocab.
The Fugees' next album, 1996's The Score, fulfilled the group's dream in bigger ways than anyone had imagined, becoming a full-blown cultural phenomenon.
Featuring such hits as Killing Me Softly and Fu-Gee-La, The Score became a staggering success.
In 1997, this very gifted writer and producer embarked on a solo project.
"Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival Featuring The Refugee All-Stars" also known as "The Carnival" peaked at 16 on the Billboard 200 and 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop album charts while generating the smash singles Guantanamera (which earned a Grammy nomination), We Trying To Stay Alive and Gone Till November, which continues to be a signature classic.
Guest artistes on the album included Lauryn Hill and Pras as well as the I Threes (Bob Marley's backup vocalists), the Neville Brothers, and the legendary salsa singer Celia Cruz.
Wyclef branched out even further with 2000's The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II A Book, which he recorded with a diverse range of guest artistes including Youssou N'Dour, Earth Wind & Fire, Kenny Rogers, and Mary J. Blige. That same year, he was nominated for Best Hip-Hop act at the 2000 MTV Europe Video Music Awards.
His third solo album, 2002's Masquerade, peaked at 6 on the Top 200 and reached number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts. The record featured tracks recorded with Bumpy Knuckles & M.O.P., Claudette Ortiz, and Tom Jones.
His fourth solo album, 2003's autobiographic The Preacher's Son, drew positive reviews and featured cameo performances from Patti LaBelle, Redman, Carlos Santana, and others.
His next effort, 2004's Welcome To Haiti: Creole 101, marked his most radical artistic and musical statement. It was during this period that he made his first visit back to his homeland since childhood.
Wyclef decided that he would sing much of the album in his native language, Haitian Creole, celebrating his musical heritage.
His talents as a producer and collaborator have led to a myriad of successful projects over the past two decades including recordings with Bono (New Day), writing and producing Carlos Santana's Supernatural, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year, and Whitney Houston's My Love Is Your Love.
Wyclef most recently struck a chord in mass pop consciousness with Hips Don't Lie, the chart-topping Grammy-nominated international smash hit duet with Shakira which was based around his own song, Dance Like This.
"No matter how much the drums may change," says Wyclef, "there is nothing new under the sun. A great song will always be a great song."
Wyclef's brand-new studio album is, he says, "a continuation of 'Gone Till November.' I focus a lot on the songwriting."
Wyclef is the most instantly recognized and loved non-political figure in Haiti.
Haitian President, Rene Preval appointed the singer roving ambassador for Haiti to improve its image abroad.
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