Wyclef Jean Interview

Wyclef Jean Interview Rhiannon Ally: He started his career in the 90’s with the popular music group the Fugees and now, he is a music legend who certainly knows how to move. Take a look. The multi-platinum recording artist and record producer Wyclef Jean is here in the studio and we’re so excited. We’ve got a lot to talk about. Wyclef Jean: How are you? Rhiannon Ally: Great, how are you? Wyclef Jean: I’m good. I heard before I showed up, you we’re singing Gone ‘Till November. Rhiannon Ally: Yes. Everyone’s been singing it all day. Everyone’s been excited. We’ve been watching your commercial. You got to tell us about that. Wyclef Jean: Yes, well the RITZ commercial when I got the call, it was going to be RITZ, so I was excited because I know RITZ do these real funny commercials and then I heard black party and I heard marching band. Rhiannon Ally: And you were in the marching band in high school. Wyclef Jean: Yes, in high school, shout out to Vailsburg High School, you know we’re Vailsburg Vikings and I love drumming and playing instruments. So, this was a perfect fit not only you see me dance in the whole thing but I actually choreographed the whole movements in the marching which is cool. Rhiannon Ally: That is cool. We saw a much lighter side of you that we’ve seen recently. Wyclef Jean: Yeah, which is good. It’s back to the music, right? These past four months have been hard for me dealing with Haiti. So, it’s good to balance it out because it’s like you’ve been seeing the states inside and I said “Okay, that’s the Gone ‘Till November guy. That’s the guy that shakes his hips which he carries. He’s back. Rhiannon Ally: Hips don’t lie. Wyclef Jean: Hips don’t lie baby. Rhiannon Ally: Now, you’ve mentioned you’ve been back and forth to Haiti. Tell us what it’s like going back now four months later. Wyclef Jean: There are still a million people that’s living intense and people say, “How is it Wyclef?” and I say “Well, the spirit of the people is on the rise and right now, what the country needs is infrastructure and job creation.” Rhiannon Ally: Now, you rerecorded We are the World for Haiti relief a few months ago, how has that impacted the relief effort? Wyclef Jean: I mean definitely bought awareness around the world, all of these artists getting together. Rhiannon Ally: Yeah Justin Beiber, Pink, so many big names. Wyclef Jean: But you see you know my daughter, she’s five years old. She didn’t care about anyone on that whole lineup. She just said “Dad, why didn’t they let Justin Beiber sing the whole song?” Rhiannon Ally: What did you tell her when she asked you that? Wyclef Jean: You know she’s was like “Because wouldn’t have been cool if Justin Beiber sang, you play guitar and then Michael Jackson will come in.” And I had to explain that Michael Jackson wrote this thing with Lionel Ritchie but he’s not here no longer with us and she’s like “But he’s dead” looking at me. Rhiannon Ally: You mentioned your daughter. You adopted your daughter from Haiti. Wyclef Jean: No. She’s from here. Rhiannon Ally: She is from here? Wyclef Jean: Yes. She’s half Haitian and half Guyanese. Rhiannon Ally: And you told us that your daughter helped dress you today. Wyclef Jean: Of course, how do I look Angelina? Definitely she make sure that I dress up like Justine Beiber now and I don’t know what she’s doing to me but I love her. She’s five years old, Angelina. Rhiannon Ally: I bet she’s beautiful. I have to ask you one last question. You were of course a member of the Fuguees, one of the best groups of all time. Is there any chance a lot of people have been wondering if you guys will reunite or at least collaborate, any chance with that? Wyclef Jean: Well, not only was I a member of the Fugees, I created the Frankenstein on the Fugees, right? I don’t know what the future will bring but I’m always up for great album, you know I love the Fugees, you know best hip-hopi trio ever. Rhiannon Ally: All right, so I guess at least we can hope for that. Thank you so much. Wyclef Jean: Yeah, me too. I hope for that too. Rhiannon Ally: Oh good. And make sure to pick up Wyclef’s newest album, The Haitian Experience. It hit stores in early fall. To see some of his delicious Haitian recipes, go to BetterTV.com and click on the recipe button.