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.
Pablo Diablo
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
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To the stand.
All the way from East L.A., your honor,
Pablo Diablo.
Hey, Guantanamera.
Hey, my lovin' is for everyone, man.
Do you know it reminds me of the summertime
Eh, you would hear your music.
It would be on the eighth floor,
But the pongos they reach up there, man!
We used to keep the whole neighborhood up.
Guantanamera!
Thank you, Pablo, for nothing.
Jesus Christ, what a moron.
No further questions, your honor.
The lyrics to Wyclef Jean's song Pablo Diablo depict a courtroom scene where the singer calls Pablo Diablo to testify. Pablo Diablo, who is from East L.A., sings a few verses of Guantanamera, an iconic Cuban folk song. He reminisces about his time spent in Spain and recalls how the music would resonate loudly across the neighborhood, keeping everyone up until the early hours of the morning. However, the courtroom scene quickly changes, and Wyclef expresses his disappointment in Pablo's testimony, calling him a "moron." The song's meaning remains ambiguous, questioning whether Pablo's recollection of the past holds any validity or truth.
The lyrics of Pablo Diablo could be interpreted in several ways. The song could be discussing identity, the nostalgic recollection of one's past or questioning the authenticity of memories. Wyclef Jean is known for blending a range of music genres, from rap to reggae to folk, and this song is no exception. By incorporating the Cuban folksong Guantanamera into the lyrics, Wyclef highlights the similarities and interconnectivity of different cultures and styles of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Your honor, I would like to call my first witness
The singer requests to call the first witness in court.
To the stand.
To testify in court.
All the way from East L.A., your honor,
The witness is from East Los Angeles.
Pablo Diablo.
The witness's name is Pablo Diablo.
Hey, Guantanamera.
The artist greets someone with 'Guantanamera'.
Hey, my lovin' is for everyone, man.
The singer claims that their love is for everyone.
Do you know it reminds me of the summertime
The singer is reminded of summertime.
In the bungalows of Spain, all night in the park.
The artist describes spending nights in a Spanish park by bungalows.
Eh, you would hear your music.
Music could be heard in the park.
It would be on the eighth floor,
The music could be heard from the eighth floor of a nearby building.
But the pongos they reach up there, man!
The loud music reached the higher floors.
We used to keep the whole neighborhood up.
The artist and others would keep the entire neighborhood awake due to their music.
Guantanamera!
The singer again greets someone with 'Guantanamera'.
Thank you, Pablo, for nothing.
The singer sarcastically thanks the witness for nothing helpful.
Jesus Christ, what a moron.
The singer insults the witness.
No further questions, your honor.
The artist has no further questions for the witness.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NORMAN BERGEN, SHELLY COBURN, WYCLEF JEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind