Wyclef Jean is one of the highest profile Haitian Americans in entertainment. The multiplatinum rapper-producer and former Fugee is vocal in his support and passionate in his convictions when it comes to his native country and works hard to remind African Americans of the struggle that people of the African Diaspora face worldwide — in particular, that little island to the south.
“Before I got to the projects [of New Jersey,] I was in a hut, so I’m trying to have the ‘hood visualize that. Think about that — that’s like, no bathroom in the house. That’s like Slumdog Millionaire, [where] if you want to use the bathroom, you’ve got to go all the way in the woods. When you need food, you take a slingshot to go get what you’ve got to get,” explains Jean. “I can’t be in the States and feel like I shouldn’t give back.”
Jean works to remind African Americans — and Americans, in general — of the deep ties that Haiti has with the States.
“What did the Haitians contribute to America? The Louisiana Purchase — New Orleans wouldn’t be New Orleans without Haiti. Haitians went and fought in New Orleans,” he shares. “Sometimes they keep that history from you and don’t tell you that. A Haitian founded Chicago — this information is key. We’re more [connected] than [Americans] probably think.”
Wyclef has paired with Timberland, one of the most recognized boot brands in hip-hop, and launched a new line of Jean’s own boots — the Y Le Haiti Collection. The boots are being launched to promote the importance of preserving and protecting the environment and money will be donated for tree plantings in Haiti for every pair of boots purchased.
“For me, I come from the Fugees and all we did was rock Timberlands,” Wyclef recalls. “You see the way Tims are coming back. When you put on the Tims you feel like you’re bigger than life, you feel like [you’re on] the block, and [you] stand and feel like you’re that guy or you’re that girl. That’s the kind of energy we’re trying to bring back.”
“When you put on these boots — it’s not just another celebrity saying, ‘Throw on these boots.’ You know that I am from where I say I am. The idea is that, the same way that a different rapper is repping where they come from and showing them love, I can’t sit back and not show the place where I’m from love and help them to try and get some money,” says Jean. –todd williams
