It's one thing to release new music, but it's another to actually have a message to go with it. Wyclef Jean is spreading his message about black lives loud and clear in the mashup music video for his single "Hendrix" and another new song "Life Matters." The singles discuss life in a rough neighborhood. The rock-laced tracks with their heavy electric guitar instrumentals also remind "young people that no matter their circumstances or influences, they always have a choice," says Wyclef in a press release. "If his life matters, then her life matters. And, if human rights matter then black lives should matter," he continues.
The "Hendrix/LifeMatter" video, directed by Kid Art, serves as the first part of the 12-minute short film starring Michael K. Williams (The Wire, The Night Of), Tasha Smith (Empire) and T.J. Riley. The video opens with Tasha's character arguing with Michael's character about his parenting skills of their son. The young man, who looks just like a friend of his, gets entangled in a case of mistaken identity that ends in chaos and reflects the turmoil in our news headlines.
"Hendrix" appears as a bonus track on Wyclef's upcoming project J’ouvert, which was supposed to drop at the end of September. The EP comes in advance of his full length album Carnival III: Road To Clefication, which he plans to unveil next summer. Next year also serves as the 20th anniversary of his debut album The Carnival so it's only right to commemorate the old with some new. His upcoming LP will feature the likes of Young Thug, Walk The Moon Afrojack, Emeli Sandé and more. Now that we have "Hendrix/Life Matters" to get us ready for his upcoming releases, you can watch the visuals for the new tracks right here, purchase "Hendrix" on iTunes and check out the tracklist for J'ouvert below.
Wyclef Jean J'ouvert tracklist:
1. I swear
2. Holding on the Edge
3. For Her Man
4. Little Things
5. Party Started
Bonus Tracks:
1. Hendrix
2. If I was President Remix
