Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Party Time: Wyclef Jean and "Fistibal - Festival"



Today's random tune is by multiple Grammy-winning Haitian artist Wyclef Jean. Wyclef Jean first came to fame in the US music business, but this hip hop artist, actor, and politician is also a humanitarian who has established a foundation to aid his native country. Born in Haiti, he moved with his family to New Jersey in 1982. A founding member of The Fugees (their name was a reference to Haitian refugees), he rose to prominence with the rest of the band as they released highly successful albums in the 1990s. In the late 1990s, he embarked on a solo career and collaborated with other artists such as Youssou N'Dour, Earth Wind and Fire and Shakira. His foundation, Yéle Haiti, has aided in the aftermath of Hurricane Jeanne and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Additionally, in 2010 he made a bid to run for president of Haiti, but his candidacy was turned down by the Electoral Council because he did not meet minimum residency requirements. He has released 11 solo albums, with his latest, Clefication, just out this year. This tune, Fistibal - Festival is from his 2004 album Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101.

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