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.
Killer M.C
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
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Welcome to Wyclef Words of Wisdom
I am here with an m.c. that
everyone is scared of
He has killed over a million
people on record and he's still
not locked up
Am, what is your name sir?
Nuhmsayin? Um
Yeah, basically, if you have
killed so many people why ain't
you locked up?
I'm sayin' though likenuhmsayin?
Yeah, exactly my point
Don't believe the hype
In "Killer M.C." which was released in 2000, Wyclef Jean begins by introducing a notorious MC who has allegedly killed over a million people and is still roaming free. The introduction sets up the expectation of an intense and violent rap verse from the MC. However, when the MC is asked about his alleged murders, he dismisses the claims as hype and propaganda, indicating that what people believe may not always be the truth. Wyclef's lyrics challenge the glorification of gangster rap and the violent themes that pervade the genre.
The underlying message of the song is that not everything we read or hear is true, and we must always question and verify the information we receive. It serves as a commentary on the broader societal impact of rap music, particularly the portrayal of violence and crime done by MCs, and raises questions about the glorification of criminal activity in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, boys and girls
Wyclef is introducing his Words of Wisdom, which is about to feature a very scary MC.
Welcome to Wyclef Words of Wisdom
This is Wyclef's platform to share his insight and wisdom with his audience.
I am here with an m.c. that everyone is scared of
Wyclef is introducing an MC who is so feared by many people.
He has killed over a million people on record and he's still not locked up
The MC has allegedly killed over a million people, but has not been arrested or detained for these crimes.
Am, what is your name sir?
Wyclef is prompting the MC to introduce himself.
Nuhmsayin? Um
The MC is saying 'you know what I mean' in his reply.
Yeah, basically, if you have killed so many people why ain't you locked up?
Wyclef is asking why the MC has not been incarcerated despite his alleged involvement in killing countless people.
I'm sayin' though likenuhmsayin?
The MC is asking if Wyclef understands his point of view.
Yeah, exactly my point
Wyclef agrees with the MC.
Don't believe the hype
Wyclef is warning his audience not to believe everything they hear or read in the media about the MC's crimes or his lack of repercussions for them.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NORMAN BERGEN, SHELLY COBURN, WYCLEF JEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind