Jean moved to Brooklyn, New York when he was nine, then to Northern New Jersey, where he began playing the guitar and studying jazz in his high school. In 1987, Jean, his friend (so close they told people they were cousins growing up) Prakazrel Michel (Pras) and his classmate, Lauryn Hill, formed a group called the Tranzlator Crew before becoming The Fugees. Wyclef worked as a cabdriver.
Recently he has been finding success as a collaborator - with his turn on Shakira's 2006 track 'Hips Don't Lie' hitting number one in many countries around the world.
In August of 2010, Jean announced his intent to seek the presidency of Haiti. This move came after his increasingly-high profile humanitarian work in the wake of the earthquake that devastated that nation.
1-800-Henchman
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
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Now if you want management, 1-800-Henchman, boy
Straight up on 93.1 Masquerade
In the song "1-800-Henchman," Wyclef Jean raps about a notorious criminal figure named Jimmy Henchman who provides management services to aspiring artists. Through his management company, which can be reached at 1-800-Henchman, he promises big success but cautions that this comes at a price. Henchman is portrayed as someone to be feared and not to be crossed. He says, "you wouldn't want to be in what I be in," implying that what he deals with is dangerous and not for the faint of heart.
The song appears to be a commentary on the music industry and the undesirable characters who sometimes operate behind the scenes. Henchman's portrayal in the song is consistent with his reputation in real life. He was a controversial figure, who was eventually convicted of various charges, including drug trafficking, gun possession, and murder-for-hire plot.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo this is Jimmy Henchman and you wouldn't want to be in what I be in
My name is Jimmy Henchman and you wouldn't want to be in the dangerous situations that I am often in
Now if you want management, 1-800-Henchman, boy
If you're looking for professional artist management, call my company 1-800-Henchman
Straight up on 93.1 Masquerade
This message is being broadcasted live on the radio station 93.1 Masquerade
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