Wyclef Jean facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wyclef Jean National Order of Honour and Merit
Jean performing in 2021
Born	Nel Ust Wyclef Jean (1969-10-17) October 17, 1969 (age 55) Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
Other names	Wyclef Toussaint St. Jean Nel Clef
Education	Five Towns College Berklee College of Music
Occupation	Rapper singer songwriter record producer multi-instrumentalist
Years active	1989–present
Organization	Yéle Haiti
Works	Discography production
Spouse(s)	Claudinette Jean ​ (m. 1994)​
Children	1
Relatives	Blandinna Jean (sister) Farel Jean (brother) Raymond Joseph (cousin) Jerry Duplessis (cousin)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	East Coast hip hop reggae fusion R&B pop rap neo soul
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Heads Music E1 Legacy Carnival Sony BMG J Clef Columbia Ruffhouse

Nel Ust Wyclef Jean (born October 17, 1969) is a talented Haitian rapper, singer, and music producer. When he was nine years old, his family moved from Haiti to the United States. In 1990, he helped create the hip-hop group Fugees in New Jersey.

Wyclef Jean was the main producer and guitarist for the Fugees. The group released two albums: Blunted on Reality (1994) and The Score (1996). The Score became one of the best-selling albums ever. After the Fugees' success, Wyclef released his first solo album, Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival (1997). This album included the popular song "Gone till November".

Wyclef also worked with many other famous artists. He was featured on Destiny's Child's song "No, No, No" in 1997. He also helped write "My Love Is Your Love" for Whitney Houston and "Maria Maria" for Santana. His song "Hips Don't Lie" with Shakira in 2006 was a huge hit worldwide.

Wyclef Jean has won three Grammy Awards for his music. He also received the BET Humanitarian Award for his good deeds. In 2011, the President of Haiti honored him with the National Order of Honour and Merit. Wyclef Jean is also part of the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Wyclef Jean was born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, on October 17, 1969. His name comes from the biblical scholar John Wycliffe. When he was nine, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York City. They later settled in New Jersey.

Wyclef started making music when he was a child. His mother saw his musical 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 he used music to earn respect.

He graduated from Vailsburg High School in Newark. He later studied at Five Towns College and Berklee College of Music.

Wyclef Jean's Music Journey

The Fugees: A Group's Rise to Fame (1988–1997)

Wyclef Jean and other musicians first formed a group called Tranzlator Crew in the 1980s. In 1993, they signed with Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records. They changed their name to Fugees, which is short for "refugees."

The Fugees released their first album, Blunted on Reality, in 1994. It became popular in the UK and was certified gold in France. The album had three singles: "Boof Baf," "Nappy Heads," and "Vocab." "Nappy Heads" was their first song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 1996, the Fugees released their second album, The Score. This album was a huge success in the U.S., reaching number one on the Billboard 200. It sold over six million copies in the U.S. and was very popular in other countries like Canada, France, and Germany.

The Score had four successful singles. "Fu-Gee-La" was the first and sold well. The other three singles, "Killing Me Softly," "Ready or Not," and "No Woman, No Cry," were also very popular. "Killing Me Softly," a cover of a Roberta Flack song, topped charts in many countries.

Solo Career and Collaborations (1997–2009)

Starting a Solo Path

Wyclef Jean began his solo career with the album Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival Featuring the Refugee All-Stars in 1997. This album featured other Fugees members and famous artists like Celia Cruz. It was a big hit, with popular songs like "We Trying to Stay Alive" and "Gone till November."

His second solo album, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book (2000), included collaborations with Mary J. Blige on the song "911." After the September 11 attacks, Wyclef performed "Redemption Song" at a benefit concert.

He released his third album, Masquerade, in 2002. His fourth album, The Preacher's Son, came out in 2003. In 2004, he released Sak Pasé Presents: Welcome to Haïti (Creole 101), which featured many songs in his native Haitian Creole language.

Writing and Producing Music

Wyclef Jean also wrote and produced songs for other artists. He co-wrote "My Love Is Your Love" for Whitney Houston. He also worked on movie soundtracks, including for the documentary The Agronomist and Hotel Rwanda.

"Hips Don't Lie" and The Carnival Vol. II

Wyclef Jean performing at a UNAIDS concert in 2006

In 2006, Wyclef was featured on Shakira's hit song "Hips Don't Lie." This song became one of the best-selling singles of the 21st century. Wyclef and Shakira performed it at major awards shows.

In 2007, Wyclef released "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" with Lil Wayne, Niia, and Akon. He also released his sixth album, Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant. In 2009, he worked with Ludacris and Aventura on the song "Spanish Fly."

Recent Music and Projects (2009–Present)

Wyclef Jean released his EP From the Hut, to the Projects, to the Mansion in 2009. This album featured artists like Eve and Cyndi Lauper. On this album, Wyclef sometimes used the name Toussaint St. Jean for his rapping.

He collaborated with DJ Avicii on the song "Divine Sorrow" in 2014. They worked together again on "Can't Catch Me" in 2015. Wyclef also appeared on The Knocks' song "Kiss The Sky" in 2016.

Wyclef collaborated with Young Thug on his Mixtape Jeffery, and "I Swear."

In 2016, Wyclef worked with Young Thug on his mixtape Jeffery. Young Thug even named a song "Wyclef Jean" because Wyclef was such a big influence.

Wyclef released his J'ouvert EP in February 2017. It appeared on the Billboard 200 chart. Later that year, he released his album Carnival III: The Fall and Rise of a Refugee. In 2019, he released his ninth studio album, Wyclef Goes Back to School Volume 1.

Yéle Haiti: A Charity for His Home Country

In 2001, Wyclef Jean started a charity called Yéle Haiti. After Hurricane Jeanne in 2004, the organization helped provide scholarships for children in Haiti. It continued to offer scholarships, school funding, and meals to Haitian citizens.

After the terrible 2010 Haitian earthquake, Yéle Haiti became very important in raising money for disaster relief. Wyclef said Yéle raised over $1 million in just 24 hours through Twitter. He also helped organize the Hope for Haiti Now telethon with George Clooney. Yéle provided food and support to hospitals and people affected by the earthquake.

However, the charity later faced some management challenges and closed in 2012.

Wyclef Jean's Political Interests

Wyclef Jean has shown interest in politics in Haiti. In 2007, he was named an Ambassador-at-Large for the Republic of Haiti by President René Préval.

Running for President in Haiti (2010)

In 2010, Wyclef announced that he wanted to run for president of Haiti. He officially submitted his papers to be a candidate for the 2010 Haitian presidential election.

However, Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council decided he could not run. This was because he had not lived in Haiti for five years before the election, which is a rule in their constitution. Wyclef accepted their decision and asked his supporters to do the same.

Wyclef Jean in TV and Movies

Wyclef Jean at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival

Wyclef Jean has appeared in several films and TV shows:

• In 2002, he played Richie Effs in the film Shottas.
• He appeared as himself in commercials for Virgin Mobile.
• In 2005, he was in the film One Last Thing... as a cab driver.
• He also appeared in four episodes of the TV drama Third Watch in 2005.
• In 2009, Wyclef was in an episode of 30 Rock called Kidney Now!.
• From 2012 to 2013, he played Dominic "Domino" King in the TV series Nashville.
• In 2016, he appeared in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
• In 2017, he performed with the band Rak-Su on The X Factor in the UK.

Wyclef Jean's Book

In 2012, Wyclef Jean wrote a book about his life called Purpose: An Immigrant's Story. The book shares details about his childhood in Haiti and his journey to becoming a famous musician in America. It describes his early life and challenges he faced as an immigrant.

Wyclef Jean's Family Life

Wyclef Jean married Marie Claudinette, a designer, in 1994. In 2005, they adopted their daughter, Angelina Claudinelle Jean. They renewed their wedding vows in 2009.

One of Wyclef's cousins is Raymond Alcide Joseph, who is a journalist and diplomat.

Wyclef Jean's Music Albums

• 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

Wyclef Jean's Film Appearances

Movies

Television Shows

Awards and Recognitions

Golden Globe Awards

Grammy Awards

MTV Video Music Awards

Other Special 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.

In 2017, Wyclef Jean was added to the New Jersey Hall of Fame.