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.
Gunpowder
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She said your brother he just died
Well I told him not to go outside
He said he had to fight for his country's right
But don't you know that mo-mother
Don't you know that we can't stop the violence, no
Because the war is not over
But I smell gunpowder (pow)
My brother's been dead ever since
I didn't beleive it, but when I saw him I was convinced
Two shots to the head he was already dead Lord
I headed for revenge in the city of Port Au Prince
Screaming bro-brother
Don't you know that we can't stop the violence, no
Because the war is not over
Until you can feel love, peace, and hear silence
But I smell gunpowder (pow)
Zion's gunpowder (pow) L.A.'s gunpowder (pow)
I wanna know why Christians pray for a new day
(We don't need no, we don't need no, we don't need no)
But its still the same way
I wanna know why ghetto people pray for a new day Hey, hey, heeey
And its still the same way
But the preacher man told me
Good things come to those who wait (Do good things come to those who wait?)
I wanna know tell me
Good things come to those who wait (Do good things come to those who wait?)
We wanna know, we wanna know, we wanna know
Pe-people
Don't you know that we can't stop the violence, no
Because the war is not over
Until you can feel love, peace, and hear silence
But I smell gunpowder (pow)
Brooklyn's gunpowder (gunpowder) Shaolin's gunpowder (gunpowder)
Uptown's gunpowder (gunpowder) Jersey's gunpowder (gunpowder)
Even New Zealand's gunpowder (gunpowder) Australia's gunpowder (gunpowder)
Brixton's gunpowder (gunpowder) Even in New Haven's gunpowder
The song "Gunpowder" by Wyclef Jean is a powerful ballad that explores themes of violence, loss, and grief. The opening lyrics set the somber tone of the song, as Wyclef asks his mother why she is crying and she tells him that his brother has died. As he grapples with the shock and pain of this news, he reflects on the senseless violence that claimed his brother's life. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "But I smell gunpowder," drives home the message that violence and conflict continue to plague communities around the world.
The verses paint a vivid picture of the aftermath of violence, as Wyclef describes seeing his brother's lifeless body and feeling a desperate urge for revenge. However, he ultimately rejects this impulse, recognizing that violence begets more violence and that lasting peace can only be achieved through love and understanding. The song ends on a note of hope, as Wyclef implores people to come together and work towards a world where the sound of gunpowder is replaced by the sweet silence of peace.
Overall, "Gunpowder" is a powerful commentary on the destructive impact of violence, as well as a call to action for individuals and communities to work towards a more peaceful future.
Line by Line Meaning
I asked my mother, why do you cry?
Wyclef's brother died, and he asks his mother why she is crying to confirm his brother's death.
She said your brother he just died
Wyclef's mother confirms his brother's passing.
Well I told him not to go outside
Wyclef told his brother not to leave his house.
He said he had to fight for his country's right
Wyclef's brother explains that he had to fight to protect their country.
But don't you know that mo-mother
Wyclef tries to console his mother with a term of endearment.
Don't you know that we can't stop the violence, no
Wyclef expresses that violence continues, despite wanting it to stop.
Because the war is not over
Wyclef believes that war and violence continue to exist in the world.
Until you can feel love, peace, and hear silence
Wyclef believes that true victory over violence is achieved only when love, peace and silence replace violence.
But I smell gunpowder (pow)
Wyclef senses violence and death through the smell of gunpowder.
My brother's been dead ever since
Wyclef confirms his brother's death.
I didn't believe it, but when I saw him I was convinced
Wyclef initially did not believe his brother was dead, but was convinced after seeing him.
Two shots to the head he was already dead Lord
Wyclef describes how his brother died – by taking two fatal shots to the head.
I headed for revenge in the city of Port Au Prince
Wyclef sought vengeance in his brother's hometown, Port Au Prince.
Screaming bro-brother
Wyclef calls out for his deceased brother.
Zion's gunpowder (pow) L.A.'s gunpowder (pow)
Wyclef describes the presence of violence and gunpowder in Zion and Los Angeles.
I wanna know why Christians pray for a new day
Wyclef is confused about how Christians can pray for change, yet experience no change.
But its still the same way
Nothing seems to change even after praying for a new day.
I wanna know why ghetto people pray for a new day Hey, hey, heeey
Wyclef is wondering why people from the ghetto pray for a better future but nothing changes.
But the preacher man told me
Wyclef references advice given to him by a preacher.
Good things come to those who wait (Do good things come to those who wait?)
The preacher's advice was to be patient and wait for good things to come.
We wanna know, we wanna know, we wanna know
Wyclef expresses his and the people's frustration and want for change.
Pe-people
Wyclef addresses the people he's talking to.
Brooklyn's gunpowder (gunpowder) Shaolin's gunpowder (gunpowder)
Wyclef describes the presence of gunpowder in Brooklyn and Shaolin.
Uptown's gunpowder (gunpowder) Jersey's gunpowder (gunpowder)
Wyclef also observes the presence of gunpowder in Uptown and Jersey.
Even New Zealand's gunpowder (gunpowder) Australia's gunpowder (gunpowder)
Wyclef notes that the problem is not only restricted to the United States, but is present globally in countries like New Zealand and Australia.
Brixton's gunpowder (gunpowder) Even in New Haven's gunpowder
Wyclef describes the presence of gunpowder in Brixton (London) and New Haven.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WYCLEF JEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AliciaGuitar
Praying for Haiti 🙏🙏🙏
Why do Christians pray?
It cultivates compassion. If enough ppl have compassion the violence will stop. It hasnt stopped yet because there is not enough love and compassion still. We need more. More ppl praying.
@Poundz978
Still one of the best songs ever made by Wyclef!! Emotional and powerful!
@Poundz978
Hey I already commented..... but I’m back again!!
@jacksonsaint-vil4384
My HAITI big brother.
@teemaro5703
And still relevant in 2020.
@heroldnicolas987
Earth runs red in Haiti ! This song hits home 😢
@thedcmac
Listened to The Carnival cover to cover endlessly in ‘98.
Love Wyclef
@DaSkarekrow
I was a teen when this song came out...... and I never experience or knew someone that died by the gun.... but this song reached my soul like no other words has when it came to losing someone cuz gunpowder.... Sad song, my heart goes out to anyone that loss someone to violence, gunpowder, wars, ect .... "I wanna know why Christians pray, but it's still the same way...." broke my spirit.... great song Wyclef! Beautiful!
@leousman8771
That’s the Wyclef we want to listen ,truly powerful ✊🏽✊🏿✊🏾
@ILOVEYOUABBY
I love this album over and over again...God Bless U Wyclef & the Refugee All Stars 🙌🏽