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.
Baba
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
One hundred percent Nigerian Baba
When you gonna learn-uh
Can't frame a earner
Came with the noose, I freed myself like Nat Turner
Sucker free purge myself from the parasites
Marcus Garvey likes on my Instagram, Garveyites
Revelation talker that's the beast with the 10 horns
And I just took my DNA test Don Dada
One hundred percent Nigerian Baba
When you gonna learn-uh
Can't frame a earner
Came with the noose, I freed myself like Nat Turner
Though we rumble in the jungle when we fightin' dark forces
We Olympians like Ali when we lighting up the torches
Seen the projects turn haunted when I head the fiends scream
Too much candy man, candy man, candy man he OD'd
You would get tempted too if the devil came up to you
Tell you pick a boo, pick a boo here's a crib out in Malibu
P-p-pilot is ready to take off, the rocket is ready to launch
The farmers ready to pick up, gorilla's ready to stick up
And I just took my DNA test Don Dada
One hundred percent Nigerian Baba
When you gonna learn-uh
Can't frame a earner
Came with the noose, I freed myself like Nat Turner
Once upon a time in America (America)
This Jersey boy lived on Utica (Utica)
All my Zoes were down in Florida (Florida)
General like Toussaint Louverture (Louverture)
When Nancy Reagan told the hood say no to drugs (no to drugs)
Aye, her hubby Ronald Reagan was the plug (was the plug)
Patience is a virtue but not for consignment (nah)
You would think it's Vietnam the way they dying (yeah)
Only thing that remains is his remains (remains)
You the only nigga clean in this card game (game)
He got shot he ain't call the cops (cops)
Mystery like Alfred Hitchcock (yeah)
Boy back on the block, ah ra ra ra
Little John started screaming
Taking shots shots shots
And I just took my DNA test Don Dada
One hundred percent Nigerian Baba
When you gonna learn-uh
Can't frame a earner
Came with the noose, I freed myself like Nat Turner
Just took my DNA test Don Dada
One hundred percent Nigerian Baba
When you gonna learn-uh
Can't frame a earner
Came with the noose, I freed myself like Nat Turner
Man this is deja-vu
Homeroom! I'm back in school!
Good morning class
Good morning class
Class, It's mourning time, good
'Cause in many hoods
Where clavicles caress many hoods
Metal detectors greet us before are teachers do
Class, it's mourning time
Because blood vessels burst more than gushers do
And sweet, be the taste of survival
When peace just tastes like denial
What I mean is
Every class must begin after twelve
So there won't be any more mourning, good
God wears a hood in this testament
Heaven be the hood in this testament
The first lesson is
Class, you don't need a cap and gown
To walk across the stage
All you need is a mind, a body, a pen, and a page
Ayo, that's all good, but
How much you growin' the weed?
In the song "Baba" by Wyclef Jean, the lyrics delve into themes of identity, empowerment, resistance, and self-liberation. The first verse starts with Wyclef expressing his pride in his Nigerian heritage, stating that he just took a DNA test and confirms that he is 100 percent Nigerian. The use of the term "Baba" in the chorus, which means "father" in Yoruba, further emphasizes his connection to his Nigerian roots. Wyclef challenges those who try to undermine his success by framing him as a criminal or someone who is not deserving of his achievements. He mentions Nat Turner, an African American slave who led a rebellion against slavery, as a symbol of liberation and resistance.
The lyrics also highlight Wyclef's defiance towards negative influences and parasites. He references Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican political leader and activist, and his followers known as Garveyites, suggesting that he aligns himself with those who promote black empowerment and liberation. Wyclef portrays himself as someone who speaks boldly and truthfully, comparing himself to the beast with ten horns mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
Throughout the song, Wyclef speaks about the struggles faced by marginalized communities, using metaphors such as rumbling in the jungle and fighting dark forces. He references the Candyman, a villain from a horror movie, to symbolize the temptations and dangers that communities face. He also mentions the impact of the war on drugs, criticizing political figures like Nancy and Ronald Reagan and their role in perpetuating the drug epidemic in marginalized communities.
In the final verse, Wyclef talks about the challenges of growing up in a violent and impoverished neighborhood. He emphasizes the importance of education and self-expression, suggesting that one can overcome adversity and make a difference without resorting to illegal activities. The verse concludes with a playful question about growing marijuana, adding a lighthearted tone to the song.
Overall, "Baba" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that tackles issues of identity, struggle, and empowerment, while also highlighting the importance of education and self-determination.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kofi Brifu, Nel Ust Wyclef Jean
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Barrack Bananas
Such a banger 🔥 this shit deserves more view. A shame Wyclef’s stuff aren’t getting the spotlight like it used to back in the days smh
Loving Life32
Wyclef is always on his game. This beat was 🔥🔥🔥. 🇭🇹❤🇭🇹
musa sarki
This is for us Nigerians🇳🇬... we love u Wyclef Jean❤❤❤
Hard Livings
What "Baba" means ?
GHarley BlowNash
Dope beat × Dope lyric + Dope Video = Ba Ba 🔥🔥
Wyclef 🇭🇹🇭🇹🇳🇬🇳🇬
Stanislas Marsh
so happy to see him still doing his thang, legendary...
The Wealth_Unit
Love the beat ++++ the lyrics is fire
psalmist cee Vivo
You welcome bro to the PALACE OF THE MOST POPULATED BLACK NATION ON EARTH
being a NIGERIAN give me so much happiness.
Haitians and Nigerians one love
BiGDAOUDA FROSTY
My brother💓💪💪
Vannie Dormil
Wyclef is legendary this is a powerful song respect clef💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💣💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💯💯💯💯💯💪💯💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪