Wyclef Jean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wyclef Jean
National Order of Honour and Merit
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Jean performing in 2021
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Nel Ust Wyclef Jean
October 17, 1969 Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
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| Other names |
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| Education | Five Towns College Berklee College of Music |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1989–present |
| Organization | Yéle Haiti |
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Works
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| Political party | Viv Ansanm |
| Spouse(s) |
Claudinette Jean
(m. 1994) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives |
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| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
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Nel Ust Wyclef Jean (born October 17, 1969) is a famous Haitian rapper, singer, and music producer. He moved to the United States from Haiti when he was a child. Wyclef became well-known as a member of the Fugees, a hip hop group he started in 1990. The group included Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel. Their album The Score (1996) became one of the best-selling albums ever.
After the Fugees, Wyclef Jean started his solo career. His first solo album, Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival (1997), had the popular song "Gone till November". He also worked with many other artists, writing and producing hit songs for stars like Whitney Houston and Shakira. His song "Hips Don't Lie" with Shakira was a huge global hit in 2006.
Besides music, Wyclef Jean has been involved in helping Haiti. He was even an Ambassador-at-Large for Haiti. He also started a charity called Yéle Haiti to help people in his home country. Wyclef has won three Grammy Awards for his music.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Wyclef Jean was born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, on October 17, 1969. When he was nine years old, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York City. They later settled in East Orange and Newark, New Jersey.
Wyclef started making music when he was young. His mother noticed his talent and bought him a guitar when he was a teenager. He looked up to reggae artist Bigga Haitian and other local musicians. Wyclef has said that playing music helped him earn respect. He went to Vailsburg High School in Newark and later studied at Five Towns College and Berklee College of Music.
Music Career Highlights
The Fugees: A Group's Journey
Wyclef Jean and other musicians first formed a group called Tranzlator Crew in the 1980s. In 1993, they signed with record labels and changed their name to the Fugees. This name was a shorter version of "refugees," which sometimes referred to Haitian immigrants.
Their first album, Blunted on Reality, came out in 1994. It had some success, especially with the single "Nappy Heads". In 1996, the Fugees released their second album, The Score. This album was a massive hit in the U.S. and many other countries. It sold millions of copies.
The Score featured popular songs like "Fu-Gee-La", "Killing Me Softly", and "Ready or Not". "Killing Me Softly" was a cover of a Roberta Flack song and topped charts worldwide. "Ready or Not" also became a number one hit in the UK. The Fugees stopped making studio albums after The Score, but their music remains very popular.
Starting a Solo Path
In 1997, Wyclef Jean began his solo career with the album Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival Featuring the Refugee All-Stars. This album featured other Fugees members and many famous artists. It was a big success, with hit songs like "We Trying to Stay Alive" and "Gone till November".
His second solo album, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book, was released in 2000. It included collaborations with artists like Mary J. Blige on the song "911". Wyclef continued to release albums, including Masquerade (2002) and The Preacher's Son (2003). In 2004, he released Sak Pasé Presents: Welcome to Haïti (Creole 101), which featured many songs in Haitian Creole.
Producing and Collaborating
Wyclef Jean is also known for writing and producing songs for other artists. He co-wrote "My Love Is Your Love" for Whitney Houston. He also worked on movie soundtracks, like for the film Hotel Rwanda (2004), where his song "Million Voices" earned a Golden Globe nomination.
In 2006, Wyclef was featured on Shakira's huge hit song "Hips Don't Lie". This song reached number one in over 55 countries. They performed it together at major music awards shows. Wyclef also worked with famous rock stars like Bono and Mick Jagger. He helped write "Dar um Jeito (We Will Find a Way)", the official song for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Recent Music Projects
Wyclef has continued to release new music and collaborate with various artists. In 2007, he released the song "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" featuring Lil Wayne and Akon. His album Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant came out that same year.
In 2009, he released an EP called From the Hut, to the Projects, to the Mansion. He also worked with DJ Avicii on the song "Divine Sorrow" and "Can't Catch Me". In 2016, Wyclef collaborated with rapper Young Thug on his mixtape Jeffery. Young Thug even named a song "Wyclef Jean" after him.
Wyclef released his J'ouvert EP in 2017, which charted on the Billboard 200. Later that year, he released Carnival III: The Fall and Rise of a Refugee. In 2019, he released his ninth studio album, Wyclef Goes Back to School Volume 1.
Helping Haiti
Wyclef Jean has always been dedicated to helping his home country, Haiti. In 2001, he started a charity called Yéle Haiti. After Hurricane Jeanne in 2004, the organization provided scholarships to thousands of children. It also helped fund schools and provide meals.
After the terrible 2010 Haitian earthquake, Yéle Haiti became very important in raising money for disaster relief. Wyclef helped organize major fundraising events, including the Hope for Haiti Now telethon with George Clooney. Yéle provided food and aid to people affected by the earthquake.
However, there were some questions about how the charity managed its money. In 2012, Yéle Haiti closed down. The New York Attorney General investigated the charity and found that some payments were made improperly.
Personal Life
Wyclef Jean married Marie Claudinette in 1994. She is a designer. In 2005, they adopted their daughter, Angelina Claudinette Jean. Wyclef and Marie Claudinette renewed their wedding vows in 2009.
One of Wyclef's cousins is Raymond Alcide Joseph, who is a journalist and diplomat. In 2012, Wyclef published his autobiography called Purpose: An Immigrant's Story. The book shares his experiences growing up in Haiti and his journey to becoming a music star.
Discography
- 1997: The Carnival
- 2000: The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book
- 2002: Masquerade
- 2003: The Preacher's Son
- 2004: Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101
- 2006: Ghosts of Cité Soleil (soundtrack)
- 2007: Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant
- 2009: From the Hut, to the Projects, to the Mansion
- 2010: If I Were President: My Haitian Experience
- 2017: J'ouvert
- 2017: Carnival III: The Fall and Rise of a Refugee
- 2019: Wyclef Goes Back to School Volume 1
Film and Television Appearances
Wyclef Jean has appeared in several movies and TV shows.
- In 2002, he played a character named Richie Effs in the film Shottas.
- He was the musical guest on an episode of Chappelle's Show in 2004.
- In 2005, he appeared in the film One Last Thing... as a cab driver.
- He also played a gang leader named Marcel Hollis in four episodes of the TV drama Third Watch in 2005.
- In 2009, Wyclef appeared in an episode of 30 Rock called Kidney Now!.
- From 2012 to 2013, he played Dominic "Domino" King, a music label head, in the TV series Nashville.
- In 2016, Wyclef appeared in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
- In 2017, he was a guest on Hell's Kitchen (U.S. season 17).
Awards and Recognitions
Wyclef Jean has received many awards for his contributions to music.
Golden Globe Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Million Voices” – Hotel Rwanda | Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song | Nominated |
Grammy Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | The Score | Album of the Year | Nominated |
| Best Rap Album | Won | ||
| "Killing Me Softly" | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal | Won | |
| 1998 | "Guantanamera" (featuring Celia Cruz and Jeni Fujita) | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Nominated |
| The Carnival | Best Rap Album | Nominated | |
| 1999 | "Gone till November" | Best Rap Solo Performance | Nominated |
| 2000 | Supernatural (as a producer) | Album of the Year | Won |
| 2001 | "911" (with Mary J. Blige) | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal | Nominated |
| 2006 | "Million Voices" (shared with Jerry Duplessis and Andrea Guerra) | Best Song Written for Visual Media | Nominated |
| 2007 | "Hips Don't Lie" (with Shakira) | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals | Nominated |
MTV Video Music Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
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| 1998 | "Gone till November" | Best R&B Video | Won |
| Best Direction in a Video | Nominated | ||
| "We Trying to Stay Alive" | Best Choreography in a Video | Nominated | |
| 2020 | "Dear Future Self (Hands Up)" (with Fall Out Boy) | Best Rock | Nominated |
Other Honors
In 2011, the President of Haiti, Michel Martelly, gave Wyclef Jean the National Order of Honour and Merit. This award recognized his efforts to promote Haiti around the world. Wyclef was also inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2025, the Grammy Hall of Fame recognized Santana's album Supernatural, which Wyclef helped produce.
Images for kids
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Wyclef collaborated with Young Thug on his Mixtape Jeffery, and "I Swear".
