by SCOTT C

While Wyclef Jean has proved to be the most active and visible member of the now defunct Fugees, he continues to extend his stay in the spotlight by introducing new acts and raking in the production jobs. Now a bankable hitmaker, this Haitian-American mogul has managed to squeeze reggae, ska, rock, country and kompa into his regular schedule of musical events. When Clef comes to Montreal, expect the kind of crazy energy that only his devoted fans can match, and precisely what they expect from the Preacher's Son.

Mirror: Was there a time in particular that people started to take you seriously as a musician, and not just as an MC and beatmaker?

Wyclef Jean: I guess if there was a time to pinpoint, it would have been right after I dropped The Carnival. Right after I did that album, I went into production work for Destiny's Child, Mya, Nas, Michael and Janet Jackson. People started to look at me a little different, not like someone who just rhymes and makes beats from time to time. I remember being in high school while most of my friends were hustling, and I'd be going to jazz class. I'm not saying I was clean as a whistle back then, but I did learn to read music. The benefits are great, and it doesn't stop at beats and producing records. It's like, movie scores, y'know? The opportunities are limitless.

M: You've always been one to help out new and emerging hip hop and R&B artists, get them noticed, maybe hook up some production, and you always seem to have a protégé waiting in the wings. You got anybody new coming up we should know about up here in Montreal?

WJ: Right now I've got this girl who the MTV Web site is calling the female Biggie Smalls.

M: Trini, right?

WJ: Oh, you know her?

M: I just heard her on a mixtape. She's pretty good.

WJ: Yeah. She's one of the many. I've also got these three kids that sound like Usher and Michael Jackson. The smallest is 12 and the oldest is 18, and they're from the Bronx. They're called 3 On 3. I'm doing it with my label, Clef Records, and I'm reinvesting my millions directly back into the artists. What a major label had me doing for them, I'm able to do for myself. So by the time a major picks it up, all the buzz and work has already been done, and I just need them for distribution, you feel me?

M: The last time I spoke to you, you talked about releasing some Creole and Haitian music. What's going on with that?

WJ: Man. People have been calling me on that, but it's just a matter of taking the time to do it right. I've always wanted to release the hottest Haitian music on the rest of the world because people just don't know. Look for Creole 101: Welcome to Haiti. I recorded with Muzion from Montreal, as well as a few other groups we've got coming up, and the music on there is going to blow people away. It's about my native language and issues in my country.

M: So I can check for that soon?

W: A lot sooner than you think.

With Kyprios, Majess, Ruff and Malik Shaheed at the Dôme on Wednesday, July 14, 6:30pm, $60

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