The rap industry is all about new faces these days, with Drake, Wale and Kid Cudi taking over as the new voices of hip-hop.
Since Jay-Z released a poor album with The Blueprint 3, and 50 Cent still believes he has a career, Wyclef Jean knew that fans needed a good album from a respectable veteran.
Jean is back, spitting hard beats reminiscent of his flow when he worked with Pras and Lauryn Hill of the Fugees. This is a no-nonsense album – Jean's gritty lyrics and angry tone make people realize what they have been missing.
The best song on Jean's From the Hut to the Projects to the Mansion is titled 'Warrior Anthem.' Jean seems confident and comfortable as he tells his new generation of listeners to refer to him as Toussaint St. Jean.
Jean's new alias, Toussaint, is based on an 18th century Haitian hero who is a big influence on this album. Jean's desire to have a spiritually powerful album shows who he is, both as an artist and a human being.
Track four, entitled 'Slumdog Millionaire,' is an uplifting song in which Jean talks about how far he has made it as a rapper and tells his fans that they can do the same. Although he has had struggles in his life, he followed his dreams and reminds people, 'If you're making money, let it rain.'
Later on the album, Jean uses a heavily produced sound for 'You Don't Wanna Go Outside,' where he lets the gangster come out.
Jean collaborates with Eve on the song 'Suicide Love,' a track that is for 'every girl holdin' her man down, and every man holdin' his girl down' – it's about lovers and their undying passion for each other.
Jean has a lot to be proud of on From the Hut to the Projects to the Mansion. Jean, who plans to release another album in 2010, shows that he still has what it takes to be a major player in the rap game.
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Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
