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.
Enter the Carnival
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo yo I want to give a shoutout to the world this is Wyclef
Cold chillin out here with my pina colada yeah baby
I'm in the islands, cold relaxin
Right about now The Carnival's gon change phases
If you got your ticket, man, you're allowed to come with me
Yo, for right now I'm gon chill at the beach
I'm out here in the sun baby it's all good!
In these lyrics, Wyclef Jean sets the scene for the listener. He starts by putting himself in a relaxed and laid-back setting, surrounded by tropical music and enjoying a pina colada in the islands. He then announces that the Carnival is about to change phases and invites those with a ticket to come along with him. The feeling of freedom and excitement is palpable as the lyrics describe the inviting atmosphere of the beach and the presence of pretty girls.
The reference to the Carnival is a nod to Jean's Haitian roots and his experience growing up in the Caribbean. In the Caribbean, the Carnival is a major cultural event that typically takes place before the fasting period of Lent. It is a time of celebration, music, dancing, costumes, and revelry. The lyrics suggest that Jean is about to take his audience on a journey through different phases of the Carnival, each one representing a different aspect of Caribbean culture.
The lyrics also showcase the importance of relaxation and enjoying the simple things in life, like the sun, a drink, and the company of friends. Jean's use of language and tone in these lyrics invites the listener to come along on this journey, to let go of their worries and embrace the freedom and joy of the Carnival.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo yo I want to give a shoutout to the world this is Wyclef
I am greeting and introducing myself to the world. My name is Wyclef.
Cold chillin out here with my pina colada yeah baby
I am relaxing here with my drink, enjoying the tropical vibes.
I'm in the islands, cold relaxin
I am currently in the Caribbean, chilling and relaxing.
Right about now The Carnival's gon change phases
The Carnival is about to transition into a different phase.
If you got your ticket, man, you're allowed to come with me
If you have a ticket, you can join me and be a part of the Carnival experience.
Yo, for right now I'm gon chill at the beach
I am going to relax and enjoy the beach for the moment.
Check out the pretty girls layin back, you know how we do playa yo
Let's admire the attractive women who are also relaxing here, as we usually do.
I'm out here in the sun baby it's all good!
I am enjoying the sunny atmosphere and everything is great.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NORMAN BERGEN, SHELLY COBURN, WYCLEF JEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind