|
In 1996, the Fugees accomplished what many rap groups have been unable to do: blow up the mainstream without going POP! The intricate wordplay and catchy, radio-friendly beats on the trio's second album, The Score, introduced the popular music scene to the political awareness of hip-hop. It also allowed the Fugees to maintain their street credibility. Lauryn Hill became the most recognizable member of the group with her husky rendition of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly." And Wyclef Jean, the producer and musician who developed the band's sound, took to starting each set with his chin on his guitar, à la Jimi Hendrix, wailing "America the Beautiful." It was a sign that Wyclef was moving out from behind the boards to display his musical gifts, and it foreshadowed what was to come. Rather than follow up with another Fugees record, he dropped Wyclef Jean presents The Carnival: Featuring Refugee All-Stars (Columbia). The solo album provided Wyclef the opportunity to give fans a personal expression that kept the flavor of the Fugees, a trend that was begun and perfected by the individuals in the Wu-Tang Clan. "I'm a producer," Wyclef told WW on the phone from his New York office. "All I do is beats. I might have a hundred beats, so versus giving them to someone else, I'd rather just keep it in the whole Refugee family." One of the family's unquestioned leaders, he combines salsa, reggae, calypso and classical music with hip-hop's pounding bass, scratching, sampling and breakbeats on The Carnival. It's Wyclef's melodious autobiography, which originated in Haiti, the place of his birth and the place he fled for New York in his youth. The album allows him to reflect on his roots; carnivals are festivals akin to Mardi Gras, held annually in Haiti and many Caribbean and South American countries. The use of bottles, sticks and cans to produce the music for the formal and impromptu songs of the celebration influenced Wyclef tracks including "Sang Fezi," "Yelé," "Jaspora" and "Carnival." Wyclef sings the lyrics in Creole. He connects the violence occurring in Haiti with the black-on-black crime in the ghettos of America, which he witnessed in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, where he settled after leaving the island nation. Throughout the album, Wyclef points to similarities between life in the Caribbean and in America, taking headz to a universal level of viewing the world. Wyclef's incorporation of all of these details into an album that is intrinsically hip-hop elevates the art form to the next stage. The singles "We Trying to Stay Alive" and "Guantanamera" have achieved mass appeal through constant radio play and heavy rotation on MTV and BET, enabling Wyclef to take his Carnival on the road, escorted by the Refugee All-Stars and a live band. There will be no thrill rides, clowns, stuffed animals, bumper boats or cotton candy to entertain the audience. The show won't resemble a meticulously choreographed Puff Daddy and the Family concert, nor will it be a replay of the Fugees and solo hits accredited to Wyclef Jean. "The live element will be full-blown blast," he says. "We'll show a lot of improvisation, a lot of raw, spontaneous hip-hop." The Refugee All-Stars--John Forte, Cannibus and Pras, to name a few--will share the stage with Clef, and there will be an abundance of microphone wizardry. Quiet as it's kept, Wyclef unleashed a vicious freestyle on rappers outside of LaLuna back in '94 after an early Fugees show, demonstrating that he is quite capable of holding his own when it comes to rhyming. His All-Stars have merits of their own. John Forte's staccato flow graced the club favorite, "We Trying to Stay Alive," and he'll be giving the crowd a taste of his upcoming solo effort. Cannibus is a recent newcomer to the rap game, blowing away the competition with lyrics that cause listeners to shake their heads in awe. He recently battled LL Cool J on the remix of "4,3,2,1," forcing Uncle L to come up with his best lyrics in years. Though hip-hop remains an emphasis, the mood of the show will be a festive one, says Wyclef, laced through with the spirit of Carnival. "Anything can happen" is the motto of Carnival, and literally, from dancing to kissing to someone dying, anything can happen. Wyclef's steelo assures that there will be no cause for violence at his concert, however; he's mindful of the babies listening to his music, so he doesn't fake doing drive-bys, pushing kilos of cocaine or sexing up hundreds of women. His focus is on uplifting the consciousness of listeners, pumping the positivity and moving the crowd to the peaceful beat of his drum. "I think the important thing is to have fun with the music," Wyclef says. "No gimmicks, no 'I'ma kill you tonight.' Don't need to go there." |
|
