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.
Welcome to the east
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"When the East in the house, oh my God"
[Wyclef Jean (Sizzla)]
Yeah! This one's for the world right here
Sizzla! (Mr. Kalonji just walked in the buildin')
Big up to the far East rulers
Welcome to the East! "Oh my God"
"When the East is in the house" sometimes I ask myself
Will the violence ever cease "Oh my God"
(You know you gon' like it, Kalonji, Wyclef)
It's too hot on the floor man "Oh my God"
It's too hot on the floor man
It's too hot on the floor man "Oh my God"
It's too hot on the floor
They got the M-15's "Oh my God"
We got the M-16's "Oh my God" (that's dangerous)
It's too hot on the floor man
It's too hot on the floor
[Verse One: Wyclef Jean]
Check it out
I saw the ski-mask I didn't see the faces yo
Saw the grenade, heard the explosions yo
It get worse yo, I can't count the hearses
That come out to masses, to churches, the verse is
Do unto others as you would have done unto you
Well welcome to the devil's penthouse, overlookin' hell's view
David slew the philistines with a donkey jawbone
The same jawbone, I used to make microphone
The same microphone I use in New Jerusalem
To tell E.T. MC's they gotta phone home
Girl I see you in the club but your eyes full of pain
Your man a wife-beater, find a new man
And for my little sisters in the misery
Sweet sixteen you ain't alone in the pregnancy
I pour some liquors for my homies that passed
Sit back while I'm writin' watch you fade in the paragraph...
[Chorus: Wyclef Jean]
Welcome to the East! "Oh my God"
"When the East is in the house" sometimes I ask myself
Will the violence ever cease "Oh my God"
Deejay turn it up~!
It's too hot on the floor man "Oh my God"
It's too hot on the floor man
It's too hot on the floor man "Oh my God"
It's too hot on the floor
They got the M-15's "Oh my God"
We got the M-16's "Oh my God"
It's too hot on the floor man
It's too hot on the floor
[Wyclef]
Sizzla, check it out!
[Verse Two: Sizzla]
All things she plant the explosives with fuel in line
We pe dimed, that's too much screwin time
Cuttin you off, the halls reach the governor
With pass enough plastic and the found for substance
I prophecy they gon' call on the attack
Must I see there and keeping this a back
Each can play guitar, cause those bands a saluting
Everyday someone forments these drive-by shootings
Will there ever be peace on the Earth
With human acts we shall not have peace on the Earth
Be good leave it up for firm and just
What's going on in neighborhoods today is not respected
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: Wyclef Jean]
Dance, she's in the city of Gods
Dancin' the capoeira
I see her in Brazil, eyy!
Her cry, sound like 7 million violins
Knowin that her man
Won't be back tomorrow, she cries
[Chorus]
[Outro: Wyclef Jean]
Yeah, this where we all meet right here
One mind one soul one heart
On violins we got, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, yeah
On guitar, my man David Rosen
Jerry Wonder on the bass
Sizzla, bredrin for life
Charles the conductor I see you
Wyclef Jean
The song "Welcome to the East" by Wyclef Jean feat. Sizzla talks about the reality of violence and chaos in certain parts of the world, particularly in the East. The song opens with the repetitive line, "When the East in the house, oh my God," which emphasizes the intensity and urgency of the situation. The lyrics describe the use of dangerous weapons like M-16's and the constant presence of violence resulting in the deaths of many people. However, amidst the violence and chaos, there is hope for change as the lyrics encourage individuals to reflect on their actions and treat others the way they would like to be treated.
The lyrics also touch on societal issues faced by women, specifically the pain and hardship that comes with being in a toxic relationship, and young girls having to face the consequences of teenage pregnancy alone. The song ends with a message of unity, as multiple musicians come together to create a single powerful sound.
Line by Line Meaning
When the East in the house, oh my God
The East is represented here, and it is overwhelming.
Yeah! This one's for the world right here
This song is a message to the entire world.
Sizzla! (Mr. Kalonji just walked in the buildin')
Sizzla has arrived, and he is known as Mr. Kalonji.
Big up to the far East rulers
Respect to the rulers of the far East.
Welcome to the East! "Oh my God"
Welcome to the East, it is amazing!
"When the East is in the house" sometimes I ask myself
I sometimes wonder what it means when the East is present.
Will the violence ever cease "Oh my God"
Violence is a problem in this area, and it is concerning.
(You know you gon' like it, Kalonji, Wyclef)
Kalonji and Wyclef know that everyone will appreciate the music.
It's too hot on the floor man "Oh my God"
The temperature on the floor is too high.
They got the M-15's "Oh my God"
They have access to dangerous weapons like the M-15.
We got the M-16's "Oh my God" (that's dangerous)
We have access to even more dangerous weapons like the M-16.
Check it out
Listen carefully.
I saw the ski-mask I didn't see the faces yo
I noticed the ski masks, but I couldn't see the people's faces.
Saw the grenade, heard the explosions yo
Explosions were heard, and a grenade was spotted.
It get worse yo, I can't count the hearses
The situation is getting worse, and there are too many deaths to count.
That come out to masses, to churches, the verse is
Families are suffering, and funerals are taking place in churches.
Do unto others as you would have done unto you
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Well welcome to the devil's penthouse, overlookin' hell's view
This area is hellish and feels like the devil's home.
David slew the philistines with a donkey jawbone
David defeated the Philistines using a donkey jawbone.
The same jawbone, I used to make microphone
Wyclef used that same jawbone to make a microphone.
The same microphone I use in New Jerusalem
Wyclef uses that same microphone in New Jerusalem.
To tell E.T. MC's they gotta phone home
Wyclef uses that microphone to tell other MC's that they need to go back to their roots.
Girl I see you in the club but your eyes full of pain
Wyclef sees a girl in the club who looks sad and hurt.
Your man a wife-beater, find a new man
Wyclef advises the girl to leave her abusive partner.
And for my little sisters in the misery
Wyclef thinks of young girls who are suffering.
Sweet sixteen you ain't alone in the pregnancy
Pregnancy is common among 16-year-old girls.
I pour some liquors for my homies that passed
Wyclef pours some alcohol to honor his deceased friends.
Sit back while I'm writin' watch you fade in the paragraph...
Wyclef writes about his friends' deaths and watches their memory fade.
Deejay turn it up~!
The DJ is asked to turn up the music.
All things she plant the explosives with fuel in line
Someone is planting explosives with fuel in them.
We pe dimed, that's too much screwin time
Too much time passed because we were busy peeling.
Cuttin you off, the halls reach the governor
We need to cut off something to get to the governor.
With pass enough plastic and the found for substance
Plastic weapons are being used as a substitute.
I prophecy they gon' call on the attack
I predict an attack will happen.
Must I see there and keeping this a back
Can I keep this to myself and stay silent?
Each can play guitar, cause those bands a saluting
Anyone can be part of the music industry because people appreciate good music.
Everyday someone forments these drive-by shootings
Drive-by shootings happen daily.
Will there ever be peace on the Earth
Is it possible to have peace on Earth?
With human acts we shall not have peace on the Earth
There cannot be peace on earth if humans continue to act this way.
Be good leave it up for firm and just
Let's be good and leave things fair and just.
What's going on in neighborhoods today is not respected
People do not respect what's happening in today's neighborhoods.
Dance, she's in the city of Gods
A woman is dancing in the city of the Gods.
Dancin' the capoeira
She's dancing capoeira.
I see her in Brazil, eyy!
I imagine seeing her in Brazil.
Her cry, sound like 7 million violins
Her cry is loud and emotional.
Knowin that her man
Knowing that her partner
Won't be back tomorrow, she cries
Knowing that her partner won't return, she cries.
On violins we got, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, yeah
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan is playing the violin.
On guitar, my man David Rosen
David Rosen is playing the guitar.
Jerry Wonder on the bass
Jerry Wonder is playing the bass.
Sizzla, bredrin for life
Sizzla and Wyclef are lifelong friends.
Charles the conductor I see you
Charles is the conductor, and Wyclef acknowledges him.
Wyclef Jean
This song was written and performed by Wyclef Jean.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KALONJI, ELLIS MARTELL, JERRY DUPLESSIS, MIGUEL ORLANDO COLLINS, SHRIVASTAVA AADESH, WYCLEF JEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind