I'm a Wyclef stan. While on The Score he pretty much just made me laugh with his crazy off-kilter and free barely-rhyming. But I loved it. While Pras was off ... um ... doing whatever he was doing every third verse and Lauryn was redefining the art of intrinsic rhyming, Clef played the role of the court jester who obviously had skills, yet seemed bored with any and all semblance of convention. And once the Fugees split, he's been on an absolute tear ever since in regularly providing his fans with new product.
Wyclef Jean - Riot (feat. Serj Tankian & Sizzla)
He's got six (and soon to be seven) solo albums to go with the two and a half Fugee records. And I proudly own a physical copy of every one of them. His latest offering from '07 was The Carnival, Vol. II and he capitalized on all his amazing music connections with this one. Don't hold me to it, but I'd say Clef's got a better collaborative posse than Wayne, Akon, or any other hip hop artist out there. Besides collaboing with those two titans I just mentioned, do these names mean anything to you: T.I., Shakira, Paul Simon, Mary J. Blige, Chamillionaire, Norah Jones, will.i.am, or Raekwon? That's just this one album ...
But this "Riot" song specifically, that's what kills me. I'm an undercover System of a Down junkie and I think Serj has one of the greatest voices in all of history. And when two musical geniuses come together like this who are 100% different stylistically and still produce a classic product, it makes me very, very happy. It should make you feel like that, too.
... but do take my word for it.
Showing posts with label Wyclef Jean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wyclef Jean. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Classic: Riot
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Classic: Gunpowder
In my opinion, Wyclef Jean has a basketful of classic records under his belt. Fugees or not. This one just happens to have the beautiful Ms. Hill serenading with background vocals as well. But that just adds to its already perfect composition.
Wyclef Jean - Gunpowder (feat. Lauryn Hill)
This cut's from his solo debut The Carnival. It was hailed as an immediate classic post-Score. I don't disagree. It's decade later sequel of sorts is every bit as good to my ears as well. And a few of the several records in between, too. Ha. Well that's enough dubious honors alotted to the man for the moment.
"Gunpowder" is a back-from-war ballad, except Clef's brother didn't come back. I'm not gonna claim to be a connoisseur of reggae music, but I think Wyclef is the closest thing we'll ever have to another Bob Marley. Outside of the immediate Marley family, of course. There are quite a few of them ...
This song evokes all of the right emotions to play off of its crisp bongo accompaniment and tropical acoustic vibe. And Clef manipulates his voice magnificently as Lauryn accents certain lines in the anti-war song. I can't tell you how many times I've had this track on repeat.
... put 'em both together and you got yourself a super spork.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Classic: Ready or Not
While their Roberta Flack cover of “Killing Me Softly With His Song” deserving got the majority of the attention on The Score, there was another song that blew me away more towards the beginning of the album.
The Fugees are beyond legendary. I don’t think anyone really knows what’s going on with Pras at any given rhyme, but Wyclef and Lauryn are pivotal figures in cultural music. Period. Their rhythms are strictly and singularly theirs. Clef brings Haiti with him in every syllable while Ms. Hill carries all women and real people on her back. Needless to say, I got both of Lauryn’s undeniably classic solo efforts as well as all six of Wyclef’s solo albums.
"Ready or Not" is as catchy a song as you're ever going to hear. And not just because it features that same exact sample as that one Mario Winans song that you actually know all the words to. This is the vocal performance that made me fall in love with Lauryn Hill for all of eternity. And yet she still comes harder on her verse than your favorite thug rapper? Dang. I also included the Bootleg Versions remix of the track for kicks. And the aforementioned absolutely murder the remix as well. You don't even know.
... put 'em both together and you got yourself a super spork.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Use Your Love
As everyone knows, I'm off Chuck & B.o.B currently. How dumb am I to not realize these two songs coexisted in my iPod?
They both flagrantly use The Outfield's "Your Love" from a billion years ago in 1985. Soul samples of course rule most all of hip hop sampledom, but I've nothing against 80's Brit pop/rock sneaking chipmunk-style into my new dudes' songs. Charles handles his own production while Bob's is produced by "Lollipop"-creator Jim Jonsin. I lean towards Hamilton's composition ear while calling it a complete tie on song writing. Bob's is a hilarious run-in story like only he can pull off right now, while Charles is deeply thought-provoking and conceptual. Below's the original, which itself is really, really good, along with a reggae remix by Wyclef. I'mma get a post up on Mr. Jean, soon. At some point last year, I listened to only his music for a solid two months. That's my dude.
So which one you like better?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Women in Hip Hop
I'm not gonna use this post as a doctoral thesis on their role in hip hop (maybe some other time), but in leu of me and Ern's back-and-forth rap track "Here I Is", I wanted to share the greatest hip hop dude-and-chick duets you may or may not have heard before.
Sorry, but Miss Rap Supreme is unfortunately not characteristic of how impressive female emcees can spit. The first two tracks are beautiful, albeit uncomfortable, love stories with true perspective. Amazing and emotional storytelling. The second two are straight hard-hitting, no nonsense lyricism. I need to get better up on Apani B's music. I only have two tracks from her currently, but she's something else on the mic. But I still hold my firm opinion that Lauryn Hill is the greatest non-testosterone laced rapper of all time.
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