PurposeAn Immigrant's Story

In a revelation-filled memoir that touches on the universal themes of poverty, immigration, religion, father/son relationships, and the heights of celebrity, one of music s most talented and innovated artists, Wyclef Jean, provides a candid and deeply personal look at his life and career.§The son of a pastor and grandson of a voodoo doctor, Wyclef was born and raised in the slums of Haiti, until his family moved to New York when he was nine. As immigrants they struggled in Brooklyn then eventually moved to Newark, where his father converted a burnt down funeral home into a house. Wyclef reveals his experience as an outsider and a literal and cultural translator for his parents.§Wyclef himself struggled with English, but in high school found the perfect way to learn it: by rapping. Like 8 MILE, he would have rap battles and slowly became the Nr. 1 rapper in the school. Meanwhile, he began to sing his father s choir at church and learned accompanying musical instruments - the guitar, piano, cello - experience that would forever shape his sound.§Because he was not fluent in English, Wyclef began bringing home other music, hip hop, rock, jazz, etc. Wyclef s father hated rap and nearly disowned his son when he refused to attend theological school. They had an uneasy relationship until 2001, when his father finally attended Wyclef s concert at Carnegie Hall. To Wyclef s shock, his father died eight months later.§And here, for the first time ever, Wyclef gives the inside story on the critically acclaimed hip hop group The Fugees - whose success catapulted him to international renown. Comprised of Lauryn Hill, Pras, and Wyclef, the group recorded two albums, one of which was The Score (1996), a multi-platinum and Grammy-winning success, and one of the best-selling hip hop albums of all time.§He also discusses with compelling candor the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010; his personal efforts and commitment to helping rebuild his homeland; the founding of the aid organization Yele and the controversy that continues to surround it; as well as his own frustrated bid for president of the island nation.§Wyclef continues to be a major voice in the hip hop and reggae music scenes. Now for the first time, he tells his incredible story, filled with drama and humor and inspiration.