To Mr Wyclef Jean – may I call you Clef? – a missive in the form of a rap song as a gesture of goodwill.

From a Haitian  of the county who knows next to nothing about hip hop but is trying, and likely failing. No worries though, I too am about to take several seats.

---

Verse 1

Dear ‘Clef, you a legend, but then legends do die,
Back in the 90s, we all vibed to Yele, so high,
Until those foundation’s sheets got us asking oh why,
From Fugees height to now watch your legacy fly.

Runnin’ round, runnin’ mouth, hometown’s Mawozo central,
Presidential bids failed, credentials incidental,
Empty politics, no substance, all superficial
Isn’t it time we stop this mediocre Carnival ?

Chorus:

Dear ‘Clef, ready or not, please take several seats,
Been tryna be the king, please take several seats
Wished the ghetto had guns and now Haiti’s gang run
Keep your lyrics and tweets, do take several seats.

 

Verse 2

You repping Guy Philippe, fake rebel, real deceit,
Drug money in the mix, plotting the country’s defeat,
Standin’ with Barbecue, spilling blood in the streets,
But what about the people that’s caught in the heat?

Your failed projects and broken dreams left ’em in the dirt,
The promised schools, promised homes, no one’s seen, broke their trust.
Should they turn on Telemax? Wait, that too is dust.
Keep strummin’ your guitar, while they’re left with the hurt.

Chorus:

Dear ‘Clef, ready or not, please take several seats,
Been tryna be the king, please take several seats
Wished the ghetto had guns and now Haiti’s gang run
Keep your lyrics and tweets, do take several seats.

 

Bridge

In the armed ghetto, there’s long been a rumor,
From the States will come a negotiator.
Mr. Jean, are you for peace or an instigator?
Your history layered, and doubt’s growin’ greater.

   

Verse 3

A concert for peace, Haïti First, sounds really sweet,
But the people’s silence is your loudest defeat,
You seeking applause while their pain is concrete,
Maybe you aim to heal, but ‘Clef, your touch ain’t neat.

The gangs are dead set on bringing Haiti to its knees,
Kidnapping, raping, killing, forcing Haitians to flee,
So, step back, reflect and let the true leaders lead,
Towards the bright future we Haitians want and need.

   

Outro

So, Clef, heed this message, from the depths of Haiti,
Step back, reconsider, please take several seats,
You will never be king, please take several seats,
Keep your lyrics and tweets, do take several seats.