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Wyclef Names Quincy Jones' One of His Inspirations

By: Nickia Williams

October 17, 2006

From producing to songwriting, the Grammy-winning, Wyclef Jean, has built an impressive resume, and after a decade of being in the game, VIBE Online got exclusive facts behind his influences.

In the past Jean?s collaborated with notables such as Destiny?s Child, Carlos Santana, Whitney Houston and Shakira. But during an interview with The Wall Street Journal Weekend Editionwriter Anthony Kaufman, he confessed that his influences come mainly from those who have faced a world of political and social struggles, just as he has.

"Bob Dylan and Quincy Jones came up in an era that we?re going through now, an era of confusion, politicians, wars and criminals," said Wyclef.

Wyclef also lists all the albums the legendary composer/producer/songwriter Quincy Jones has made during his nearly six-decade career. "If you pay close attention, there's stuff that you would hear that you wouldn't have heard yet. That's what defines a great piece of music," added Jean.

Although Wyclef, was tired from a show in Toronto, his excitement level reached a high points when he spoke about Bob Marley?s "Exodus," and Charlie Daniels' "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," referring to him as the first country rapper.

"Wyclef feels that if it weren?t for people like them [Jones and Dylan] we wouldn?t have the next generation [music] moving forward," said Kaufman.

Presently, Jean is in Toronto, Canada, working on a documentary film titled Ghosts of Cité Soleil, about gang leaders in the slums of Haiti.

Wyclef served as executive producer and made an appearance in the film.