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.
Slow Down
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
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We cry for peace (uh-huh) but we live for war
(You know I got that chopper in the Chevy, what it is?)
We ain't start the wiretaps, down in Baltimore
(But I'm still slangin' bricks where I live)
Sometimes she love me, sometimes she love me not
(Doin' ten, now my girl turnin' tricks at the crib)
Bullet take out those eyes, when they in the city Chi'
Evil lurks, in the heavenly disguise
(Tryin' to get the root of all evil, 'bout a mill')
I seen two birds, crash into two New York giants
(Bush still lyin', he don't never keep it real)
I wish Katrina spoke French at the Quarter to New Orleans
(Haha, what you'da told her daddy?)
I woulda spoke French back, seduced her stoned (okay)
Told her "Je t'aime!", please don't rain on my people!
Where'd the hope go? Where'd the hope go (I don't know)
I seen the whole world turn into a war zone (what?)
Ain't no love in the city keep your vest on (that right)
Guns 'n Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle"
On the flip side (ay) she shakin' her back side (shake it for me)
That's the only way tuition' gon' come right
He got a crush on Mary Jean (ay, ay)
Unless you got five on she ain't doin' her thang
(Come on, you know you need to)
Slow doww-ow-ow-own, young girl
Keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon'
Unless she slow down, somebody gon' crash
(Come on, you know you need to)
Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl
Keep it real hon, got to keep it real hon (Ay ay, you know we used to)
(You know we used to, ay ay ay ay ay) unless she slow down, somebody gon' crash (okay)
If you livin in the street, you know you livin free
(And if you ain't you doin time like me)
Thugs with the heat, are the coldest ones to meet
(And you can catch yourself a case and get a five, do three)
We flyi'n high, but still can't touch the sky
(But on conspiracy you doin' ten at the least)
Everbody's a gangster, but nobody wanna die
(With all this snitchin' you might never see the streets)
Nuclear testin, replacin' the SAT's
(With all this goin' on, why they worried 'bout me?)
Stem cell research, there's another you, another me
(I'm just hustlin' in the streets tryin' to flip a couple ki's)
What goes up must come down, the laws of gravity
(I know I seen it happen to my partner Big Meech)
(We miss you shorty!) To win at chess
You've got to trap the king
Where'd the hope go? Where'd the hope go (I don't know)
I seen the whole world turn into a war zone (what?)
Ain't no love in the city keep your vest on (that right)
Guns 'n Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle"
On the flip side (ay) she shakin' her back side (shake it for me)
That's the only way tuition gon' come right
He got a crush on Mary Jean (ay, ay)
Unless you got five on she ain't doin' her thang
Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl
Keep it real hon, got to keep it real hon'
Unless you slow down, somebody gon' crash
(Come on, you know you need to) Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl
(Ay ay, you know we used to) keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon'
Unless you slow down, somebody gon' crash (okay)
E'rybody know we gon' keep rollin' when the police rollin
And your coke dealer told 'em what you doin
Boy you better slow down, ay, ay, slow down, ay
You wanna show 'em that the dope keep comin
But these sheep keep runnin 'they mouth
They'll have you stuntin' jacker comin
Boy you better slow down, ay, ay, e'rytime homeboy
Slow down, start snitchin', ay, ay, homebwoi
Hey I remember get money, all we did was get money
'Til the feds raided the trap and they took my (thang) from me
Put me in a room alone, separated the click from me
Next thing you my lawyer said (my partner snitched on me)
Now ain't that a bitch homey? (They ain't had a thing) on us
Until you started tellin', now they talkin big numbers
We coulda split charges up, missed five or six summers
Instead you tryin to talk, tellin so you can walk
How could you tell 'em who we sold told to? E'rything we bought?
How we used to get in all the way 'til we can ship it off?
(Who woulda thought?) Hey, hey keep it pimpin', wait a minute
(Whoa!) Hey, hey hey keep it pimpin', wait a minute, ay
Where'd the hope go, where'd the hope go
I seen the whole world turn into a war zone (what?)
Ain't no love in the city keep your vest on (that right)
Guns 'n' Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle"
On the flip side (ay) she shaki'n her back side
That's the only way tuition gon' come right
He got a crush on Mary Jean (ay, ay)
Unless you got five on she ain't doin' her thang
Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl
Keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon'
Unless she slow down, somebody gon' crash
(Come on, you know you need to)
Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl
(Ay ay, you know we used to) keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon' (you know we used to, ay ay ay ay ay)
Unless you slow down, somebody gon' crash (c'mon)
I'mma let my guitar do the talkin' now, okay?
The lyrics to Wyclef Jean’s “Slow Down” are a commentary on the current state of society. The song begins with a countdown, emphasizing the seriousness of the message that is about to be conveyed. The opening lines “We cry for peace but we live for war” set the tone for the song, questioning the state of humanity and our desire for peace while simultaneously engaging in acts of violence. The subsequent lines delve into various issues such as drug trafficking, the prevalence of violence in cities, and the impact of natural disasters, alluding to the lack of hope and love present in society.
Jean uses figurative language throughout the song to convey the harsh realities of life. For instance, he speaks about ‘evil lurking in a heavenly disguise’ which is a metaphor for the unseen evil present in society. He also talks about guns and roses, alluding to the rock band and the general amorality of the world. He also reflects on the power and influence of music when he says, "he got a crush on Mary Jean unless you got five on she ain't doin' her thang," referring to the need for women to use their bodies to make money in the music industry.
Overall, Slow Down is a social commentary where Jean reflects upon the cruelty in the world and the lack of hope and love. The song emphasizes the importance of slowing down and being more introspective as we navigate through some of these challenging issues.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one
Countdown to a life in a violent world
We cry for peace (uh-huh) but we live for war
Humanity's hypocritical desire for war and peace
(You know I got that chopper in the Chevy, what it is?) We ain't start the wiretaps, down in Baltimore
Criminal acts and the government's role in them
(But I'm still slangin' bricks where I live) Sometimes she love me, sometimes she love me not
Living a life of drugs and love
(Doin' ten, now my girl turnin' tricks at the crib) Bullet take out those eyes, when they in the city Chi'
The dangers of street life and crime
(Tryin' to get the root of all evil, 'bout a mill') Evil lurks, in the heavenly disguise
The dark side of wealth and power
(Bush still lyin', he don't never keep it real) I seen two birds, crash into two New York giants
The truth about politicians and the fall of the twin towers
(Haha, what you'da told her daddy?) I woulda spoke French back, seduced her stoned (okay) Told her "Je t'aime!", please don't rain on my people!
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the hope for help
Where'd the hope go? Where'd the hope go (I don't know) I seen the whole world turn into a war zone (what?) Ain't no love in the city keep your vest on (that right) Guns 'n Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle"
Living in a violent and dangerous society
(ay ay) Unless you got five on she ain't doin' her thang (Come on, you know you need to)
The role of money in female objectification
(shake it for me) Slow doww-ow-ow-own, young girl Keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon' Unless she slow down, somebody gon' crash
Advice to women living dangerously and being objectified.
(Ay ay, you know we used to) Unless you slow down, somebody gon' crash (okay) If you livin in the street, you know you livin free
The dangerous life of criminals
(And if you ain't you doin time like me) Thugs with the heat, are the coldest ones to meet
The tough life of criminals and the harsh justice system
(But on conspiracy you doin' ten at the least) Everbody's a gangster, but nobody wanna die
The reality of prison and the reasons for criminal behavior
(With all this snitchin' you might never see the streets) Nuclear testin, replacin' the SAT's
The impact of government actions and decisions on the lives of ordinary people
(I'm just hustlin' in the streets tryin' to flip a couple ki's) What goes up must come down, the laws of gravity
The life of drug dealers and the inevitability of failure and downfall
(We miss you shorty!) To win at chess You've got to trap the king That's the only way tuition gon' come right
Chess as a metaphor for survival and success in life
(Come on, you know you need to) Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl (Ay ay, you know we used to) keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon' Unless you slow down, somebody gon' crash (okay)
The dangers of fast living and the need to slow down and be safe.
(And your coke dealer told 'em what you doin) Boy you better slow down, ay, ay, slow down, ay
Advice to those living dangerously and recklessly
(But these sheep keep runnin 'they mouth) They'll have you stuntin' jacker comin Boy you better slow down, ay, ay, e'rytime homeboy Slow down, start snitchin', ay, ay, homebwoi
The danger of loose lips and snitching in criminal life
(Hey I remember get money, all we did was get money) 'Til the feds raided the trap and they took my (thang) from me Put me in a room alone, separated the click from meNext thing you my lawyer said (my partner snitched on me)
The harsh reality of being betrayed by someone close in criminal life
(They ain't had a thing) on us Until you started tellin', now they talkin big numbers We coulda split charges up, missed five or six summers
The consequences of snitching and losing an opportunity for survival in the life of crime
(Who woulda thought?) Hey, hey keep it pimpin', wait a minute (Whoa!) Hey, hey hey keep it pimpin', wait a minute, ay
The final call for criminals to change their ways and keep it real
I'mma let my guitar do the talkin' now, okay?
The power of music and art to convey life's harsh realities
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: DEVON GOLDER, LAMONT COLEMAN, JERRY DUPLESSIS, CLIFFORD HARRIS, WYCLEF JEAN, MAURICE TOBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind