Music
Facebook
Twitter
The Feed
You TubeWalmart Soundcheck
Wyclef Jean
See all Pop
Wyclef Jean brings 'Carnival' to Soundcheck. Check out an exclusive performance from his latest album.
You've arrived at Soundcheck...
Walmart’s original performance series where you get up close and personal with your favorite artists. Check out live performances and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from original in-studio sets – all filmed exclusively in HD. Soundcheck is broadcast in Walmart stores nationwide – or catch us online 24/7.
Help/FAQ
You won't need to download any additional video players or downloads. The Soundcheck performances play right inside the site itself, making it quick and easy to access.
Try hitting the refresh button on your browser. If that still doesn't work, review the minimum system requirements below.
PC
• Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional, Vista or Windows 7 in 32bit and 64bit
• Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, AMD Athlon™ 64 2800+ processor (or equivalent)
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Internet Explorer 6.0 to 8.0 (IE 8.0 recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Flash Version 9.0.115 and up.
MAC
• Mac OS X v10.4 or later
• PowerPC G5 1.8GHz, Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Safari 3.0
If you have the minimum system requirements, reinstall your Flash Player by clicking here
We have a top-notch music label relations team that helps us book acts. They are constantly on the phone with music labels around the country trying to get the best bands on Soundcheck.
Soundcheck is an original performance series created by the Wal-Mart Music team, giving you the opportunity to go behind the scenes and get an in-studio look at some of your favorite artists. Soundcheck plays right here on Walmart.com, or, for the full high definition experience, visit any Walmart store and head to the Electronics department to watch it on the Walmart TV Network.
We'll be adding new performances on a regular basis throughout the year, so please check back regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck for more information.
We'll have artists from all genres; some old, some new, some huge, some more emerging - but all will be presented in the same intimate studio environment. So be on the lookout!
Check in regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck, or visit your local Walmart store and watch the Walmart TV Network.
No. Just visit Walmart.com/soundcheck and watch for free!
Once the performances launch, you can play it anytime you want, 24 hours a day. We'll keep all artists up on the site under "The Performances" tab.
We recommend broadband DSL or Cable to anyone who wants to truly enjoy video and audio on the Internet. However, we have made available a smaller dial-up version so you don't miss out.
If you are reading this page right now, you likely have everything you need. However, watching the Soundcheck performances requires at least the following in order to properly stream media content:
PC
• Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional, Vista or Windows 7 in 32bit and 64bit
• Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, AMD Athlon™ 64 2800+ processor (or equivalent)
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Internet Explorer 6.0 to 8.0 (IE 8.0 recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Flash Version 9.0.115 and up.
MAC
• Mac OS X v10.4 or later
• PowerPC G5 1.8GHz, Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Safari 3.0
If you have the minimum system requirements, reinstall your Flash Player by clicking here
Browse Videos
icon to add a track to your current playlist
About The Artist
The Set List
The Influence of Carnival
Memories of his homeland, Haiti, and his Caribbean childhood play a central theme in Wyclef Jean's music. One of his biggest memories is the exhilarating experience of Carnival, a theme that permeates much of the new record. Explains Wyclef: "My first musical memories are as a kid in Haiti, and I used to hear carnival music. It's a lot of drums, a lot of percussion, a lot of energy; people wearing masks and dancing around."
Songwriting and the Big Apple
It's an age old question: What comes first - words or music? We asked Wyclef about his unique approach to the songwriting process and discovered that a great song begins with the strum of a guitar. Explains Wyclef: "The songwriting process for me usually comes from the guitar. Or my cousin Jerry 'Wonder' might come with a hot beat and I just walk in and start vibing. I love New York City a lot. A lot of times, I could be walking through New York City and I catch an energy. Or I could be in Brazil. The good thing with traveling a lot is, you get a lot of inspiration to bring back home."
The Importance of a Message
The Fugees impacted the world with their stream of social consciousness. Wyclef's solo career has been just as important. Explains the activist/artist: "I have a cult following with my music. I'm able to take the music and speak about social issues. We (artists) really get to put a stamp on the world. I'm excited that through music I'm able to teach kids to have a great time, but at the same time they're learning something without even knowing."
The Closing
Like many hip-hop artists, Wyclef's story represents the great American dream. From the poverty-stricken streets of Haiti to New Jersey's projects to finding success as an international artist, Wyclef Jean is an example of strength and talent. The superstar incorporates his Caribbean beginnings into his new record, 'Carnival, Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant' - and it's a story worth hearing. Pick up a copy today.
-The Crew at Wal-Mart Soundcheck
- Nelust Wyclef Jean was born October 17, 1972 in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
- His family left Haiti for Brooklyn, New York when Wyclef turned 9. He currently makes his home in Orange, New Jersey.
- He's married to Marie Claudinette Pierre-Jean, a Haitian-American fashion designer. The couple have one child, Angelina Claudinelle, named after their close friend Angelina Jolie.
- Due to internal conflicts, The Fugees parted ways in 1997 after releasing just two albums. Band member Pras recently told a reporter that the band is "dead."
- He's a tireless activist for his homeland, Haiti. Jean created Yéle Haiti, a foundation designed to provide humanitarian aid and rebuild the poverty-stricken nation.
- He can act. He starred as a fortune teller in the 2001 movie, 'Carmen: A Hip Hopera' alongside Beyoncé and Mos Def. He'll appear in the upcoming film 'Ghosts of Cité Soleil.'
Kicking off with the new single, 'Sweetest Girl,' Wyclef begins the set with a bang. Backing vocalists Melissa Jimenez and Italian songstress Niia lend their sweet vocals to a tune that sounds like a love song, but is really a commentary about the almighty dollar. Making direct reference to Wu Tang Clan's hit 'C.R.E.A.M,' Wyclef sings: "See I'mma tell you, like Wu told me, cash rules everything around me."
Selena
Wyclef's star-studded career shows the singer has a clear eye for talent. 'Selena,' a cut from his new album, 'Carnival II: The Memoirs of an Immigrant,' introduces Mexican singing sensation Melissa Jimenez. Sharing vocals with Wyclef, the silky-voiced senorita sings an eloquent elegy to the late Selena: "I can still hear your voice echoing through my system. Mexicana raised in America.... I wish I had a chance to meet her."
Gone Till November
It's time for a trip back to the past and 'Gone Till November' is a great reason to revisit. A fan-favorite, the fourth single from Wyclef's debut solo album, 'The Carnival,' tells a touching tale of Southern seasonal workers. Wyclef demonstrates his showmanship and delivers a hilarious anecdote about getting pulled over for a traffic ticket. Asks the officer: "Ain't you that Wyclef Jean guy that sings Gone Till November? I'm gonna let you go..."
Carnival
"Put your hands in the air!" urges Wyclef, bringing his electric set to a powerful peak. Incorporating the Caribbean rhythms of his homeland Haiti, 'Carnival' is a drum-heavy groove designed to get people on their feet. Singing about the street energy and community of summer Carnival, Wyclef paints an affecting portrait of his youth: "Take me there Brazil. Take me there Trinidad. Take me there Haiti."
Slow Down
"We cry for peace, but we live for war" sings Wyclef in this set-closing track from the new album. 'Slow Down' is a definitive Wyclef track; the singer/songwriter delivers his social commentary with gentle lyrics and a compassionate cautionary: "Where'd the hope go? Slow down, you're moving too fast. Unless you slow down, somebody's gonna crash..."
