Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean National Order of Honour and Merit | |
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Jean in 2025 | |
| Born | Nel Ust Wyclef Jean October 17, 1969 Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti |
| 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 |
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| Political party | Viv Ansanm |
| Spouse |
Claudinette Jean (m. 1994) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives |
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| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | |
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| Labels |
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| Formerly of | Fugees |
| Website | www |
Nel Ust Wyclef Jean[2] (/ˈwaɪklɛf ˈʒɒn/ WY-klef ZHON; born October 17, 1969)[2][3] is a Haitian rapper and singer. Born in Haiti, Jean emigrated to the United States as a child.[4] 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".
Also in 1997, Jean guest appeared 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 chart's top 20; it served as lead single for his sixth studio album and final release on a major label, Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant (2007).
Alongside his recording career, Jean has produced and co-wrote several hit songs for other artists. He also worked with rock icons Bono and Mick Jagger, and co-wrote "Dar um Jeito (We Will Find a Way)", the official 2014 FIFA World Cup anthem, alongside Carlos Santana, Avicii, and Alexandre Pires. Jean contributed to various film and television projects, including scoring The Agronomist (2003) and appearing on the Emmy-nominated 30 Rock episode "Kidney Now!". In 2004, Jean co-wrote and performed "Million Voices" for Hotel Rwanda, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song.[5]
Beyond music, Jean has been active in Haitian politics and philanthropy. In 2007, he was appointed Ambassador-at-Large of Haiti and later ran for the 2010 Haitian presidency,[6][7] but was deemed ineligible due to residency requirements.[3][8] His charity, Yéle Haiti, raised funds for Haitian relief efforts, including the 2010 Haitian earthquake, before disbanding amid financial scrutiny.[9] Jean has won three Grammy Awards, and his production work on Santana's Supernatural (1999) was later recognized by the Grammy Hall of Fame. He also received the BET Humanitarian Award and NAACP Vanguard Award.[10][11] In 2011, Haitian President Michel Martelly awarded him the National Order of Honour and Merit. Jean is among the few artists to chart on 16 different Billboard radio charts.[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.
- ^ "Wyclef Jean". www.goldenglobes.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ NME (January 4, 2007). "Wyclef becomes 'ambassador'". NME. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ 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". 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.