Wyclef Jean Rocks the House at USF

Wyclef Jean took over the school last Friday shooting his music video and giving USF students a concert to talk about for days. The bass was booming, the people looked fresh, and the staff was ready as students crowded around War Memorial Gym Friday for the concert of the year. As the DJ spun the hottest tracks, people filed in to the gym with excitement, anticipating Wyclef’s arrival.

As soon as Wyclef hit the stage the crowd went wild. He began the concert with his remixed song “President,” for which the music video was being shot, over the loud cheers of fans. He performed it a second time, provoking the crowd to “get loud,” and also informing them that it was being filmed for his music video. “When you tell people you’re filming them it becomes a whole different thing,” said Jean. People were sitting on each others shoulders, fans were cheering, and the vibe was live the second time around. USF got a taste of what it would be like to have Wyclef as President with promises like feeding the poor, bringing schools to the hood, finding cures for serious diseases, and legalizing “it.” Jeans vision was to have his video come from a college student perspective, “It needed a fresh eye,” he said. So why film at USF? “Everything is timing. I got a call from my nephew Darren asking me to perform and I needed to film a video. It all just fell into place,” Jean said.

Aside from his video, Jean put on a riveting performance. He performed a few new tracks from his newest album “The Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant” like “Welcome to the East,” and “Sweetest Girl.” He even performed two old school tracks from his days as a member of the “Fugees.” But the crowds’ favorite new Wyclef joint was by far the last song of the concert called “Touch Your Button Carnival Jam.” The thirteen minute long song had fans pumped up and going wild. “You must have something to wave in the air, or else you got to move!” yelled Jean before performing this song. Feeding off of his energy, the fans went wild waving whatever they could find in the air above their heads.

After the concert Jean retreated back to his room where he snacked on chicken wings and answered questions for USFtv and the Foghorn. Still energetic, Jean commented on his musical influences, “I grew up in the Church so I listen to a lot of gospel. But I also love reggae and jazz,” he said. Jean also shares a love for instruments; he can play the drums, guitar, and piano.

When asked about his inspiration to produce music Jean commented that “Everyone has to go to work and work hard. It’s a gift when you enjoy what you do.” Jean’s work ethic may have been influenced by his background and growing up in Haiti. “Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Coming to the states gives you so much inspiration because of the opportunities. In America you can be who you want to be” Jean said.

Lastly, Jean discussed his foundation called “The Yéle Haiti Foundation.” The foundation seeks to change the lives of those living in Haiti in numerous ways. From delivering food to a neighborhood, to creating songs to put on the radio to gain support, the foundation sets out to help with Haiti’s long-term progress. According to Jean, “The objective of Yéle Haiti is to restore pride and a reason to hope, and for the whole country to regain the deep spirit and strength that is part of our heritage.” To get involved or participate, log on to www.yele.org.

Jean raised the bar with this year’s homecoming performance. USF has Jean’s nephew Darren Pierre, staff member of CAB, to thank for his persistency in asking his uncle Wyclef to perform. “Everyone’s going to be coming back for part two,” said Jean. He encourages everyone to go buy his newest album “The Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant,” which features artists like Akon, T.I, Paul Simon, Shakira, Norah Jones, and Mary J. Blige. His advice: “My last joint ‘Touch Your Button Carnival Jam,’ put it on repeat!”