New Classics Vol. 6
Wyclef Jean— The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book
Does anyone remember Wyclef Jean?
His efforts are easy to forget, especially in a time where pop radio in inundated with Soulja Boy’s casual innuendos, and the catchiest song on radio has a chorus of “you da fuckin’ best.”
Wyclef, himself, isn’t making things any sunnier. The most memorable thing he’s done in awhile was his appearance on Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, singing “If I Were President” with some elementary kids.
But it seemed like Wyclef was the next big thing around 2000. The Fugees were done. He had the amazing hit single “Gone Till November.” He even did that pop song “Maria, Maria” with Santana on the gazillion-selling Supernatural.
Forget what Wyclef has done recently and let’s focus on one of his better efforts, the awkwardly titled The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book.
I felt like such a badass buying this album when I was in junior high. Finally, I had found a hip-hop album that I could buy (that didn’t have a glaring Parental Advisory sticker on it); that wasn’t terrible (like whatever Mase and Puff Daddy released).
Fast forward 10 or so years, and I need something to keep my adrenaline pumping after a bike workout, and there The Ecleftic is, blaring at me, telling me to remember this.
Could it be nostalgia or is this album not bad at all?
Sure there’s the glaring pop-crossover appeal that Wyclef so wanted—see “It Doesn’t Matter” with The Rock guest starring and “911” with Mary J. Blige. But these songs work just fine.
And if you need more serious songs and true hip-hop beats, well Wyclef front-loads the goddamn thing with “Where Fugees At?, “Thug Angels,” and “Da Cypha.” All of which give Wyclef enormous “street cred.”
“Thug Angels” is enough to give this album a listen. Wyclef weaves a better story than Jay-Z’s from “99 Problems.” Wyclef sarcastically challenges all these rappers at the same time. The song feels real, which is impressive, considering anyone with drug money can get a record deal and talk about dealing crack. But do you ever side with Rick Ross when he talks about “hustlin’ everyday”?
I don’t. It’s fake. I get it, Rick Ross, you like drugs and money, but you want to make all that money legal, so you got ripped one day at your mansion, started rapping and your attorney who looks like Sean Penn from Carlito’s Way told you, “You should really consider rapping.”
It seems as though a lot of critics just put Wyclef on the back burner. Like I said, that’s easy. He hasn’t made the catchiest tunes, but The Ecleftic might be Wyclef’s masterpiece. When Wyclef was still trying to catch the few final flames of The Fugees’ popularity. When the music mattered just as much as the bass drum and snare beats. When hip-hop meant more than just throwing some sex and drug references in a song with a pretty girl with hoop earrings singing a general hook about a sunny day in NYC.
However it happened that Wyclef landed in my CD case this afternoon. I’m pleasantly surprised and will keep my ears on this forgotten gem.
1 week ago
