Wyclef talks Battle Rapping, Directing Church Choir, Immigrant Background + More

Wyclef Jean and Nick Huff Barili of Hard Knock TV sit down at SXSW for in depth conversation about Wyclef’s career. In part 1, Wyclef talks about his immigrant background and what it was like coming to the United States from Haiti at the age of nine. Wyclef states that although his first housing in the states was Coney Island’s Marlboro Projects, which was know at the time for being one of the worst projects, Clef and his brother felt like they had made it because they had running water, electricity and a refrigeration. Clef goes on to share story of how growing up he lived a dual life of being a battle rapper on the streets and a choir director in his father’s church. Check out the video for much more. We are just getting started. Tune in Friday for part 2 of Nick’s conversation with Wyclef!

Wyclef got his start as a crucial member of hip-hop trio the Fugees in the mid-1990s. Since winning multiple Grammys with the group, including two for the classic album The Score, the musician has gone on to have a very successful solo career blending several genres – from reggae to hip-hop and more – while working some of the best artists in the business.

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