In his latest album, Wyclef Jean offers an introduction course to his homeland of Haiti.
Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101 is Wyclef's fifth solo effort and his most genre-mixing work to date.
The album opens with a sound clip from slain Haitian national hero and freedom fighter Jean Dominique. Dominique recalls the history behind the country's struggle for freedom and independence and the importance of the Haitian flag.
The son of a minister, Jean was born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti. When he was nine, his family moved to the Marlborough projects in Brooklyn.
He became quickly immersed in Brooklyn's emerging hip-hop scene.
Jean joined an existing rap group with Pras and Lauryn Hill. Initially calling themselves the Tranzlator Crew, the group's name eventually evolved into the Fugees, a shortened version of refugee.
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Fighting and inflating egos almost broke up one of the best-selling rap groups of all time. Last month at a block party hosted by comedian Dave Chappelle, the Fugees performed together for the first time in seven years.
The group even hinted at a follow-up to its 1996 groundbreaking the Score.
First though, comes another solo album by Jean. The artist has always displayed his Haitian heritage. He appeared at the Grammys wearing the Haitian flag wrapped around him while he accepted an award. He also spoke out against the film "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" because it contained a line that stereotyped all Haitian's as having AIDS.
With Creole 101, Jean teaches listeners about his homeland by taking them on a musical journey though Haiti. Of the 17 tracks that appear on Creole 101, only four are in English. The remaining 13 songs are either sung or rapped in his native language of Creole.
Several tracks on Creole 101 combine both elements unique to Jean's universe. On "Haitian Mafia," he sings the chorus in English and then raps in Creole. On the same track, guest rapper Foxy Brown also raps in English and Creole.
Blending musical styles is not new for Jean's fans. He combined Creole and English on previous albums, yet as a whole, theat release consisted mainly of songs in English.
Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101 is an album before its time. In the album's liner notes, Jean acknowledges the creative decision of releasing an album that would struggle to get radio airplay.
"In a time when chart position on the Billboard No. 1 is what drives the industry, I'm forced to remind the public that true creativity is in those that are daring enough to do what's in their hearts," he stated.
Jean listened to his heart and proved music is truly a universal language for everyone.
Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101
Wyclef Jean
Grade: A
