Wyclef Jean: The Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant

Wyclef Jean: The Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant Hatian born rapper, producer, and guitarist, Wyclef Jean releases the follow up to 1997's The Carnival. A decade later Jean is incredibly less popular. After the Fugees disbanded in 1997, The Carnival served as the closest anyone was going to see to a follow up of the Score. The album sold very well based on the success of the single "Gone til November". Since 1997, Wyclef has released four album to poor results. Each album selling more poorly than the last. The Carnival II seeks to change all of that. As of late, Wyclef has been more visible than the past decade. He appeared and produced "You Know What It Is" on T.I.P.'s latest album T.I. vs T.I.P.. He also appeared on Shakira's smash hit "Hips Don't Lie" last year. I have to admit I have not heard any Wyclef release since the original Carnival. What Wyclef has always suffered from was an inability to pick a genre and stick with it. He bounces from acoustic folk to dance hall to rap in a matter of minutes. It confuses the listener. The other major weakness on the Carnival II is Wyclef's guests outshine him on almost every track. Chamillionaire is the only reason to listen to "Hollywood Meets Bollywood (Immigration)" and if not for T.I. there is no way I would have made it all the way through "Slow Down". In the end will this return Wyclef to prominence? Probably. The ilk of guests on this album is fairly incredible but I can't see it being critically acclaimed. Rating: 4.8/10 MP3: Wyclef Jean feat T.I. "Slow Down"