Wyclef Jean put on a stage show complete with backflips, bongos, anda killer backing band. The former Fugee performed a wide range of hits,
from the Cuban classic “Guantanamera” to his memorable hit duet with
Mary J. Blige “Call 911.” The crowd swayed back and forth and sang
along to every tune.
Clef refused to allow the
audience of executives and professionals stay to buttoned-up and
proper. On a balmy close of summer night, he brought the energy of the
islands and the bounce of Brooklyn to the Marriott Resort in Orlando,
Fla. “I want everybody to get your hands up.” the Grammy Award winner
shouted. “If you’re black and you’re making money— make some noise!”
Jean kept the audience engaged and brought several audience members
onstage to join in the revelry. A young boy helped bring the audience
to their feet, several ladies whipped towels over their head as Jean
led the audience in a Carribean party chant, and, most notably, Patrick
Malcolm, CEO of burgeoning healthy children’s water brand Waterlicious,
Inc., took the microphone in an impromptu reggae performance that
brought the house down.
“You just got a free
commercial.” Wyclef told the businessman, who repeatedly chanted
“Waterlicious!” to the adoring crowd. “Everybody’s gonna leave here
going ‘Waterlicious! Waterlicious!” Jean proved that hip-hop performers
can do more than just walk from one side of the stage to the next and
wave their hands — they can also be engaging, charismatic and dynamic. –todd williams
