Wyclef Jean

Nelust Wyclef Jean ( WY-klef ZHON; born October 17, 1969) is a Haitian rapper. Born in Haiti, Jean emigrated to the United States as a child. 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". In 1997, Jean also appeared on Destiny's Child's breakout single "No, No, No". He later 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!".