Wyclef Jean Matters
Channel: Matters
Date: 2020-11-10

Off the back of the Fugees extraordinary success, Wyclef Jean catapulted himself to solo stardom, thanks to his obvious talent as a musician, producer, actor and a keen curiosity to not repeat the hip-hop playbook. This interview captured weeks before the release of Ecleftic, his sophomore solo release in June 2000, discharges just how he was rewriting and challenging the expected at the time and getting it spot on. 

Here he unpacks his views around what his role is, as an influencer. Considering this interview was recorded 20 years ago, it’s uncanny how so much of what he said then has and is playing out in the world today.

I asked him about working with unlikely collaborator Kenny Rogers and why he partners up with the likes of Carlos Santana. His replies to both may surprise you. He even went as far as to make an insightful statement about just where the new music renaissance will come from and his investment in that becoming a reality, all of which is fast realising two decades on. 

Seven studio albums later, Clef is still pushing boundaries. This interview, unedited and salvaged from an ageing analogue cassette, gives fans some insight into this man’s wonderful, humble nature and his investment in delivering art that speaks to us all.