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.
Peace God
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got no choice but to sling crack
Yo who you pushin' weight for
Dog I ain't no rat
Cause rats get found in the back of garbage trucks
With they mouth taped up
Lookin' like sittin' ducks
What more small the market, Clef
You get stuck up
With what
From a fiend
I just bought a twenty-two
Now it's funny you should say that
Cause the gun looks bigger than you
Now get your ass back in the house
Shut up!
?
From B.K. back to N.J.
Crouchin' tiger style
Let's go
Feel it
Feel it
Peace God
[Chorus: x2]
Peace God
You gave me the voice to speak, God
Speak God
Wyclef Jean bout to hit the streets hard
Peace God
Peace
You gave me the voice to speak, God
Masquerade, my message to the streets, y'all
Yo peace God
These words came from a revelation
Whether you free or you going through incarceration
Inhale, exhale herbal meditation
Put the fire arms away
Cause we don't want no confrontation
Not me, I'm talkin bout you jerk
Cause when you die your life ain't even worth the paperwork
So, peace God, even through war we bring peace
And after the blood shed then your first son deceased
And you will understand I'm the beginning of the end
The alpha, omega, the present, and the future
So hold on to your Winchester
Cause the hollow tip penetrate lead through your polyester
Peace God, even though we ice the wrist
Guzzle the fifth
Protect us with a crucifix, Lord
And bless me with an extra clip
So just in case one jam release my twin from my waistband
[Chorus: x2]
Aye, yo peace God
I ain't tryin' to see the graveyard
But in this game of life I was dealt the wrong card
I wasn't born this way it just came to be
Sellin' crack through a alley where the fiends rally
Where the dealer was the president
And the fiend was the voter so they voted for the government
And stick ups was only natural
It seem every other day a new gun pointed at you
Peace God
Yo only God got the answer
And sorry bout ya mom dyin' of cancer
But congratulations, I heard you no longer a runner
You a big man now, the black Tony Montana
But watch out cause I heard wealth bring envy
Trust me I did sing for the Kennedies
Until we meet again feel my words through my pen
And stay pure in the city of sin
[Chorus: x4]
The opening lines of "Peace God" by Wyclef Jean poignantly present the realities of growing up in a violent world. The singer, who is only eight years old, has "no choice but to sling crack." He is then confronted by a man who questions why he is in the drug-dealing business. The exchange between the two is both threatening and insightful. While the man acknowledges that the singer looks nothing like a "sittin' duck," he warns him about the dangers of getting robbed in such a small market. The conversation ends with the man telling the singer to "get [his] ass back in the house." This initial dialogue sets the stage for the rest of the song, which is a call for peace and a rejection of the brutal cycles that have led to so much violence and death.
The chorus of "Peace God" is a repetition of the words "Peace God" over and over. This repetition emphasizes a sense of urgency and desperation. It's clear that the singer wants to see an end to the violence and wants to use his voice to inspire change. Throughout the rest of the song, Wyclef Jean delivers a powerful message about the need for non-violent solutions to conflicts. He acknowledges that firearms are an integral part of many neighborhoods, but he encourages his listeners to put them away and pursue herbal meditation instead. He recognizes the ways in which systemic violence has created a cycle of poverty and crime and emphasizes the importance of staying "pure" in a city that is often characterized by sin. Overall, "Peace God" is an insightful commentary on the complexities of urban life and the desperate need for peace.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm only eight
I am only a child
I got no choice but to sling crack
I have to sell drugs to survive
Yo who you pushin' weight for
Who are you selling drugs for?
Dog I ain't no rat
I am not a snitch
Cause rats get found in the back of garbage trucks
Snitches get killed and disposed of like trash
With they mouth taped up
Their mouth is taped shut to prevent them from talking
Lookin' like sittin' ducks
They are easy targets for their killers
Well you don't look like a sittin' duck and your mouth ain't taped up
You do not appear to be in danger or under threat of violence
What more small the market, Clef
There is not enough drugs to sell
You get stuck up
You are at risk of being robbed at gunpoint
With what
What weapon are they using to rob you?
From a fiend
They can be robbed by their clients who are drug addicts
I just bought a twenty-two
I have purchased a gun
Now it's funny you should say that
It is ironic you mention that
Cause the gun looks bigger than you
The gun appears to be larger than the person holding it
Now get your ass back in the house
Go back inside your home
Shut up!
Stop talking
?
Unknown
From B.K. back to N.J.
From Brooklyn to New Jersey
Crouchin' tiger style
Unknown
Let's go
Come on, let's leave
Feel it
Experience and understand what I'm saying
Peace God
May you find inner peace
[Chorus: x2]
Refrain or chorus of the song, repeated twice
You gave me the voice to speak, God
God enabled me to express myself
Speak God
Continue to communicate through me
Wyclef Jean bout to hit the streets hard
Wyclef Jean is about to release new music
Masquerade, my message to the streets, y'all
I disguise my message to appeal to the street culture
These words came from a revelation
These lyrics are inspired by a divine vision
Whether you free or you going through incarceration
Whether you are free or in prison
Inhale, exhale herbal meditation
Take deep breaths to relax and center oneself
Put the fire arms away
Stop using guns
Cause we don't want no confrontation
We want to avoid violence
Not me, I'm talkin bout you jerk
I'm not the one causing trouble, it's you
Cause when you die your life ain't even worth the paperwork
Your life is not valuable, even to the authorities
So, peace God, even through war we bring peace
May peace prevail, even in times of conflict
And after the blood shed then your first son deceased
Violence can lead to the death of innocent people
And you will understand I'm the beginning of the end
I am a prophet of the end times
The alpha, omega, the present, and the future
I am the beginning, end, and everything in between
So hold on to your Winchester
Keep your weapon close
Cause the hollow tip penetrate lead through your polyester
Bullets can go through clothing and cause injury
even though we ice the wrist
Despite the jewelry we wear
Guzzle the fifth
Drink alcohol heavily
Protect us with a crucifix, Lord
May God protect us
And bless me with an extra clip
Give me more ammunition
So just in case one jam release my twin from my waistband
In case one gun malfunctions, I have a backup
Aye, yo peace God
Greetings, may you find peace
I ain't tryin' to see the graveyard
I don't want to die
But in this game of life I was dealt the wrong card
Life has been unfair to me
I wasn't born this way it just came to be
My circumstances led me to sell drugs
Sellin' crack through a alley where the fiends rally
Selling drugs in a location where addicts gather
Where the dealer was the president
Drug dealers have more power and influence than they should
And the fiend was the voter so they voted for the government
Drug addicts vote for politicians who perpetuate the drug war
And stick ups was only natural
Robberies were common
It seem every other day a new gun pointed at you
It feels like there is always a gun threat
Yo only God got the answer
Only God knows the answer to life's problems
And sorry bout ya mom dyin' of cancer
I'm sorry your mother passed away from cancer
But congratulations, I heard you no longer a runner
Congratulations, I heard you are no longer selling drugs
You a big man now, the black Tony Montana
You are now big and powerful, like Tony Montana from Scarface
But watch out cause I heard wealth bring envy
Be careful, people may become jealous of your wealth
Trust me I did sing for the Kennedies
I have performed for the Kennedys
Until we meet again feel my words through my pen
Until we meet again, listen to my music
And stay pure in the city of sin
Stay true to yourself, even in a sinful city
[Chorus: x4]
Refrain or chorus of the song, repeated four times
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DUPLESSIS, HATTORI, JEAN, LATIMORE, NOMURA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tha Likely Lad
great album great tunes great lyrics. one of the underrated rap albums
Dan Som
The most underrated hip hop album, hands down. This album was truly slept on
Martin Hush
Dan Som this is so true....the album should have gone triple or quadruple platinum....some mad jams in it...I would never stop loving Peace God🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
GoldenCheese
Super underrated album. Loved it way back when, still lovin' it now.
janice ward
I bought this album when it was released,fell in love with it then and still I'm haunted by what you convey,p.j.s ,drugs,religion, your father! There's so much for all moods and situations we can almost all relate to,one minute I'm laughing- pussycat,then my heart seems to stop for a second jumping to another emotion,its a masterpiece you don't wanna miss one word of the brilliant continuity..!!..I believe it's you....!x
David Metcalfe
I think forgot how dope wyclef was... He was a lyrical assassin. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Lina Montana
sheesh I was eight when I first heard this, I'm 20 now :( hip hop I miss you.
eastsiderat88
wow this song really brings back memories of the year after high school and hanging out in the rain having way too much fun.
KumundaSango
same here
Seth K.E
19 years after and shi still bangs!! ⚡⚡💥