Wyclef Jean has revealed details surrounding an upcoming EP with DJ Drama titled From The Hut To The Projects To The Mansion.
The rapper/singer’s new album features a number of high profile appearances from artists like Cyndi Lauper, Eve, Lil Kim, Timbaland and others.
On the album, Wyclef takes on the persona of “Toussaint St. Jean,” a character suggested to him by fellow rapper T.I.
According to Jean, the character is based on 18th century Haitian revolutionary Toussaint L’Ouverture.
“Toussaint is more direct,” Wyclef said of his new alias. “He ain’t going to sugarcoat nothing. Whatever he’s thinking, he’s going to tell you. It’s like, I’ve still got this machete — my tongue is sharper than it’s ever been.”
Tracks on the album touches on the dangers of the street life and the trappings easy money can bring, according to Clef.
“Not everything that appears bad is really bad, because the real bad men move in silence,” Wyclef said. “So be careful what you emulate, because it’s could get you six feet deep. If you don’t see me with a gun, it doesn’t mean that the guy with the gun is badder than me. I’ve been in those communities, but you’ve got to rise past that world.”
From The Hut To The Projects To The Mansion is the pre-cursor to Wyclef’s new upcoming solo effort, simply titled Wyclef Jean, which is due in stores in March of 2010 on Columbia Records.