Former Fugees lead singer and guitarist internationally acclaimed Wyclef Jean has been confirmed as one of the headline acts for this year’s Digicel Barbados Reggae Festival.
The annual festival launches on Easter Monday, April 25, and climaxes on Sunday, May 1, with what is anticipated will be one of the most entertaining Reggae On The Hill events ever with Wyclef heading the cast of local and international stars at the Farley Hill National Park.
Director of promoters FAS Entertainment, Al Gilkes, said that plans to have Wyclef in Barbados started two years ago after the Haitian-born superstar “took the roof off the house” in St Lucia.
However, international commitments made him unavailable for last year’s festival. Last month he confirmed his wish to be on the Hill and a contract was signed.Wyclef was the first member of the Fugees to embark on a solo career and has fused hip-hop with as many different styles of music as he can get his hands on with reggae as his particular favourite genre.
Over the years he has also stepped up his outside work for other artistes, collaborating as a producer, songwriter, and/or remixer with the likes of Destiny’s Child, Whitney Houston, Bounty Killer, Cypress Hill, Michael Jackson, Santana, Tevin Campbell, Black Eyed Peas and Mick Jagger.
The sequel to his debut solo album in 2007 Carnival, Vol. 2: Memoirs Of An Immigrant featured a diverse and lengthy guest list, including Akon, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Paul Simon and Sizzla.
Concerning his booking for Reggae On The Hill, Wyclef has indicated that he just can’t wait to perform in Barbados and has warned fans to be ready for the best thing ever to happen to them. (PR)
