Wyclef Jean Book: In his new memoir 'Purpose,' the Fugees leader shares his love struggles, career triumphs
TheGrio sat down with the master storyteller of his own life as Wyclef Jean revealed what Fugees fans and black book enthusiasts can expect from "Purpose: An Immigrant's Story," his new memoir.
I can’t regret anything that I’ve ever been through, because if I hadn’t gone through it, I wouldn’t be who I am today, a full-blown man. What I went through with Lauryn, what I went through with my wife, with my father, and even what I went through when I brought that goat on stage (laughs), even though everyone thought I was crazy[editor’s note: Jean brought a goat on stage as a mascot for one of the Fugees early stage appearances], and running for president of Haiti and not getting accepted, I don’t regret any of it.
Maybe the question is, if I had the ability to change things, like be able to do something different, if I had the power to do it personally, yes, I’d take it. I would never want to scorn two women like that again.
Your late father, Gesner Jean, was a dynamic man. The strong willed and charismatic pastor, who you write, “wasn’t the kind of leader who failed.” He did not, under any circumstances, want you to be a rap artist. When he saw the direction you were going in, which was not theological school, he basically disowned you. It took a decade for you two to reconcile. Prior to that time, it seems that your father was oblivious to your success. As famous as you are, how did it feel to have to wait so long for parental praise.
Well, he knew what I was doing, but he didn’t want any part of it… you know?
Yet, he called you at one point, after one of his co-workers told him that he looked like this famous rapper, Wyclef Jean! He called and asked, “What is it that you do exactly?”
His undertone was like — I don’t want to know anything that you are doing. Meaning, like, he wasn’t going to concerts, or listening to the radio; this guy was in church, every day! So until that dude was like, “Yo, Gesner you look like that guy from the Fugees, but if that was your son, you wouldn’t be working here.” That was when my dad called me up and said, “what do you do for a living?” I said, ‘The same thing I told you I was going to do for a living! I’m a hip-hop star!”
He was like, “What is that? What’s that?” (Laughs.)
Did your mom know? Mothers always know.
Yes, my mama, she knew, but keep in mind, they are not watching the TV, they are not listening to the radio, so they are not in that world; they don’t have a clue. Church music was all they listened to.
Did it hurt that it took your father so long to come around?
Oh yeah, of course. What do all kids want? We always want the acceptance of our parents.
From the very start of your career, you have been a strong advocate for Haiti, and you put words into action by establishing Yele Haiti, a grassroots, non-political charity, in 2005. You then spent a lot of time clearing your name when Yele Haiti was accused of holding on to funds meant for earthquake victims back in 2010. Yele Haiti has since been cleared of these charges — but what did you take away from that experience?
Well, we did great work, beginning with scholarships for kids. This started in 2005 and I grew from that. Now I’m working with the president as an ambassador, and will continue to work with all different people. In the end, all I know is as long as you keep doing good work, and pursue it, you will always rise to the occasion, just keep true and keep pushing.
Public perception is a motherf***er. When I look back at my career, I feel so fortunate. I know some of my peers in this business who have killed themselves, because of what the media has said about them; the media has destroyed artists. People can say harsh things. I give a lot of credit to my strong mother and father, you know what I mean? I think they helped a lot.
Yes, you’ve probably got thicker skin than many. What about your run for president of Haiti? In retrospect, would you do it again?
Well, I don’t know what the future will bring, but I’ll tell you this: 80 percent of the population is living on less than two dollars a day. I feel like with the current president right now, he has started something, which is important: a strong focus on education. It can’t turn around in four years, maybe not even in eight, but I feel like he’s going in the right direction. I hope that what I did during my run inspired different types of leaders, young leaders, to run for president. I ran because of the urgency, and I felt at that time I was the best person to be commander in chief of my country. But we now have a commander in chief; I don’t know what history will tell.
You kind of tease us towards the end of your book. When it comes to a Fugees reunion you say “I never say never, but I don’t think we’ll be able to get the Fugees back together. I’d like to, but I think the magic is done once and for all.” Should that little line, “never say never,” leave us with a glimmer of hope?
If the Fugees every got together, it would be some big deal! People would be like, “I’m definitely going to pick up that CD and see what they are talking about!” (Laughs.)
Wyclef, we are always looking forward to your next move, because we know it’s going to be something interesting. What have you got coming up?
(Laughs.) It’s like “Yo, what the f**k is he up to now?” Right now I am working with some artists on my new label, All Hands On Deck, and I’ve got some great new people coming out. And I think I’m ready for a new Wyclef album. I started working on it, and I don’t know what it’s going to be titled, but it’s time. I think it’s time, I feel it. Musically I want to have fun again, do some touring and catch a vibe again, so I’m going for a new album.
Suzanne Rust is a writer, lifestyle expert, on-air talent, and a native New Yorker. Follow her on Twitter at @SuzanneRust.
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