Veteran Rapper, musician and actor, Nel Ust Wyclef Jean, best known by his professional name Wyclef Jean, has released a new single dubbed “Fela Kuti prod. by Supah Mario” of his much awaited album [Carnival III: The Fall and Rise of a Refugee].
Carnival III, which is scheduled to drop this year in September, 15th to be precise, would be released under the Legacy Records platform. The Ready of Not singer, speaking to XXL also gave reasons why he named a track of his body work Fela Kuti as he liked Fela’s struggle to his own personal struggle.
In his words; I decided to name it Fela Kuti because for me, I feel like we be thinking of [Bob] Marley, we give a lot of people from our past props, so when the kids hear Fela Kuti, I really want them to Google it.
Fela Kuti studied jazz in England. Wyclef studied jazz at Vailsburg High School. Fela Kuti then went back to his country and tried to help his country by running for president. Wyclef, you know, did the same thing. Then, Fela, through all his obstacles and all that, his music is what pillared him right back to the top.
He understood the strongest way to help politically was to make sure the music was bangin. So for me, the same way kids can have songs called “Wyclef Jean” who are influenced by me, I want kids to know who Fela is and what he means.
Jean and other musicians formed a group in the 1980s under the name Tranzlator Crew. After they signed with Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records in 1993, they renamed their group as Fugees and later released an album in 1994 dubbed Blunted on Reality.
In 1996, the Fugees released their second album, titled The Score. The album achieved significant commercial success in the United States, topping the US Billboard 200.
Jean announced plans to begin a solo career with 1997’s Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival Featuring the Refugee All-Stars (generally called The Carnival). Released in 2000, Jean’s second solo album The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book was recorded with guests including Youssou N’Dour, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kenny Rogers, The Rock, and Mary J. Blige.
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