Multi-platinum, and multi Grammy Award®-winning worldwide superstar/rapper/producer/songwriter/composer and legendary founder of The Fugees WYCLEF JEAN has teamed up with Pusha T, Lola Brooke, Capella Grey and rapper/NCAA LSU basketball champ Flau’Jae for his new single “PAPER RIGHT” which is now available everywhere.
In a time where 54% of African Americans will retire into poverty, on “PAPER RIGHT,” Wyclef and the multi-generational cadre of hitmakers he’s brought together on his new single kick off 2024 with an anthemic, and undeniably crowd-moving track tackling the systemic economic wage and retirement gap while celebrating building generational wealth.
With visions of investing, real estate and making money plays for rainy days, “PAPER RIGHT” gives proof positive without proselytizing how saving money for the future no matter how big or small the amount to get one’s “PAPER RIGHT” is the ultimate flex.
Pusha T, Lola Brooke, Capella Grey, Flau’jae, and Wyclef Jean have all come togehter for an interesting single. The TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America) is looking to spread the word about preparing for a financially safe future. According to a piece from HipHopDX, they want to spread information about their “Retire Inequality” initiative. Information from their website is quite staggering.
“54% of Black Americans don’t have enough savings to retire.” The way the TIAA plans on doing this is by helping the younger generation learn how to start building wealth sooner rather than later. The reason for this methodology is that “41% of young adults between 24-35 aren’t taking full advantage of employer-sponsored plans.” So, to help pass this message along, the TIAA reached out Wyclef Jean to make song.
Listen To “Paper Right” By Pusha T, Lola Brooke, Capella Grey, Flau’jae, And Wyclef Jean
“Paper Right” does that, with each artist centering their focus around this idea. What is also cool about this partnership is the way they are using the money earned from the single. HipHopDX says a portion of it will be sent to First Generation Investors. They are a nonprofit that teaches students how to invest their funds. So, be a part of a great cause and stream the track now!
What are your thoughts on this brand-new single, “Paper Right,” by Pusha T, Lola Brooke, Capella Grey, Flau’jae, And Wyclef Jean? Do you think this is a smart marketing tactic by the TIAA? Who had the best performance and why? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Pusha T, Wyclef Jean, and Lola Brooke. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
I’m just comin’ off of Section 8, it cut deeper than a razor blade They let me hang for days, you know it’s up ’cause I saved the date (Uh-huh) Financial freedom is so fulfillin’ (Frrt) Generational wealth is what you show the children (Frrt) I’m in my righteous rhythm, from commentin’, I got the right to pin ’em (I got the right to, uh) But let’s focus on the wins, I’m tryna flourish from the flaws
The “rags to riches” tale is a staple of hip-hop, so much so that on Wyclef Jean’s new song “Paper Right,” he’s able to recruit a whole posse cut worth of rappers to help him detail how to stack enough cash to retire a couple of generations. Interestingly, in addition to employing Pusha T, one of rap’s most notable street prophets-turned-business moguls, he also lends the spotlight to a trio of rising stars in Lola Brooke, Flau’jae Johnson, and singer Capella Grety.
The song is part of an outreach program by The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) called Retire Inequality. According to the campaign’s website, its mission is to provide savings and investment information to Black Americans, who are likely to not have enough savings to retire. To that end, “Paper Right” references generational wealth multiple times, as well as investing advice, like real estate and side hustling; funnily enough, it might be the first time we’ve ever heard Pusha repudiate the drug game mentality that he’s espoused on basically every other thing he’s recorded (even those odd Arby’s jingles he did a couple of years ago).
All of those artists — save Flau’jae, who’s in the middle of LSU’s basketball season — appeared on The Tonight Show to perform the track last night. Check it out below.
In a powerful display of unity, hip-hop icons Fat Joe, Jelly Roll, and Wyclef Jean joined forces with Power To The Patients to host an intimate event at Hamilton Live on Wednesday evening (Jan. 10). Attended by approximately 500 Congressional leaders and government officials, the event aimed to champion a more affordable and equitable healthcare system through enhanced price transparency.
Fat Joe admired Jelly Roll’s musical prowess during the gathering, commending his unique blend of rap and country. Backstage, he shared that he repeated Jelly’s hit song “Need A Favor” in 2023. The collaboration was part of their effort to advocate for healthcare transparency and affordability.
Wyclef Jean took to the stage, rallying members of Congress to chant “Power To The Patients” and urging them to press President Joe Biden to prioritize healthcare transparency.
The event shed light on the injustices created by hospitals and insurers concealing prices, hindering competition, and enabling the industry to avoid accountability for overcharges and price gouging.
Fat Joe and Power to the Patients have been pivotal in raising awareness on Capitol Hill regarding the pressing need for comprehensive healthcare price transparency legislation. In April 2023, Fat Joe met with Congressional leaders and the White House to advocate for enforcing price transparency rules neglected by many hospitals nationwide.
Their collective efforts extended to New York City, where, in June 2023, Mayor Eric Adams signed the Healthcare Accountability and Consumer Protection Act, establishing the nation’s first Office of Health Care Accountability. The act allows New Yorkers to compare hospital costs for the same services, marking a significant step towards healthcare transparency.
In the annals of hip-hop history, few groups have left an imprint as powerful as The Fugees. Comprising Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel, this iconic genre-bending trio reshaped the musical landscape throughout their rise to prominence in the mid-1990s. The Fugees skyrocketed to fame with their foundational works including albums like Blunted On Reality and The Score. As the years have passed, each member of The Fugees has taken distinct paths, leaving fans curious about their modern endeavors. Here’s a look at what the trio have been doing since they split up in 2007.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 04: Singer Wyclef Jean performs onstage with The Fugees at Crypto.com Arena on November 04, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Since the dissolution of The Fugees, Wyclef Jean has navigated a diverse and dynamic solo career, showcasing his versatility as a musician, producer, and political activist. Wyclef’s solo work includes 9 studio albums, with the most recent outing, Wyclef Goes Back To School Volume 1 arriving in 2019. With chart-topping singles like “Gone Till November” and “Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)” as well as prominent features on tracks like Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” and T.I.’s “You Know What It Is” the Haitian rapper has solidified his position as a certified hit-maker.
Beyond music, Wyclef Jean actively participated in political and humanitarian causes, notably running for the presidency of Haiti in 2010. The “I Swear” vocalist also played a role in raising relief funds for Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake. Unfortunately, Jean’s venture into politics sparked controversy, as he faced accusations of defrauding donors with his organization Yéle Haiti and the Hope for Haiti Now telethon by diverting funds for personal enrichment.
Pras Michel
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Pras Michel, a member of the 1990’s hip-hop group the Fugees, arrives at U.S. District Court on March 31, 2023 in Washington, DC. Michel is on trial for his alleged participation in a campaign finance conspiracy. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Pras Michel has faced significant criticism as the main catalyst for The Fugees’ breakup, as reports frequently highlighted creative clashes between the rap vocalist and Lauryn Hill. Following the group’s disbandment in August 2007, Michel famously stated, “Before I work with Lauryn Hill again, you will have a better chance of seeing Osama bin Laden and [George W. Bush] in Starbucks having a latte, discussing foreign policies, before there will be a Fugees reunion.”
In the years since The Fugees disbanded, Pras Michel has ventured into a prolific career as a documentary filmmaker. In 2006, the Fugees rapper created and shot a film titled Skid Row, Los Angeles, which centered on his experience posing as a homeless person for nine days. Through the film, Michel captured the raw truth of homelessness in America, showcasing the hardships faced by the less fortunate. He followed this project up with similar documentaries in 2009 and 2015 respectively, titled Paper Dreams and Sweet Micky For President.
Most recently, Pras Michel has faced significant legal challenges due to his hand in campaign finance violations. In 2019, the Department of Justice indicted Pras on criminal conspiracy charges, alleging that the rapper had aided in the illegal transfer of nearly one million dollars from foreign interests into the 2012 effort to reelect President Barack Obama. Pras Michel was found guilty on 10 criminal counts in April 2023, jeopardizing the future of the artist’s career and freedom.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 01: Lauryn Hill performs during the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Louisiana Superdome on July 01, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
Lauryn Hill holds a prominent place as one of the most talented and iconic performers in the history of hip-hop and R&B. Though her solo catalog consists of only one full-length LP, 1998’s The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, fans around the world seem to eagerly hang on every word spoken from the elusive femcee. In the years following The Fugees’ disbandment, Hill has chosen to remain mostly away from the public eye, though she has sporadically stepped out to go on tour and appear on songs as a featured artist.
Like her Fugees cohort, Lauryn Hill encountered legal troubles after leaving the group. In 2012, authorities charged her with three counts of tax fraud, resulting in a three-month prison stint from July 2013 to October 2013. She obtained an early release for good behavior and negotiated a deal to fulfill her legal obligation through home confinement. Most recently, Lauryn Hill has appeared in prominent placements on tracks such as “Nobody” by Nas & HIt-Boy, “Coming Home” by Pusha T, and “We Got Love” by Teyana Taylor. Vocal samples from Lauryn Hill can also be heard in several Kanye West tracks, including “All Falls Down” and “Believe What I Say.”
Despite the bad blood and legal strife shared by the trio, The Fugees were able to put their differences aside and reunite for a reunion tour in the final months of 2023. The tour serves as both a 25th anniversary special for Hill’s seminal 1998 album, as well as something of a farewell performance for Pras Michel before his expected incarceration. While the tour has suffered some setbacks, including Lauryn Hill’s vocal strain, fans are encouraged to keep an eye out for more updated dates in 2024.
In a groundbreaking initiative, Fat Joe, Jelly Roll, and Wyclef Jean are set to join forces with Power To The Patients for an impactful event in Washington, D.C., on January 10 at Hamilton Live. The artists aim to raise awareness and advocate for a more affordable and equitable healthcare system through enhanced price transparency.
The event, attended by Congressional leaders and government officials, will spotlight the injustices resulting from hidden prices by hospitals and insurers, hindering competition and allowing the industry to avoid accountability for overcharges and price gouging. Fat Joe will serve as the emcee, while Jelly Roll and Wyclef Jean will deliver performances, adding a powerful artistic dimension to the advocacy.
“The U.S. healthcare system is America’s sickness,” said Fat Joe. “Healthcare price transparency isn’t a partisan or complicated issue. It’s common sense. The only people opposed to it are healthcare industry interests profiting by keeping patients in the dark. Price transparency can protect patients, families, employers, workers, even our own government from healthcare overcharging and pricing fraud as it does everywhere else in the economy. Clear prices allow consumers to choose affordable treatments without worrying that routine care will result in overcharges and even bankruptcy. Price transparency holds hospitals and insurance companies accountable, forcing them to compete and lowering costs, improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes.”
Fat Joe, along with Power to the Patients, affiliated organization Patient Rights Advocate, and employers nationwide, will engage in meetings with Congressional leaders, urging the passage of healthcare price transparency legislation.
Power to the Patients has been instrumental in Capitol Hill awareness efforts, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare price transparency legislation. Previously, Fat Joe met with Congressional leaders and the White House in April 2023 and collaborated with fellow musicians in September 2023 for a compelling public service announcement (PSA) demanding elected officials commit to price transparency.
The artists underscore the deception caused by hospitals and insurance companies hiding prices, leading to stifled competition, overcharges, fear, debt, and devastation across the country. The advocacy extends beyond the event, with ongoing PSAs and billboards across Washington, D.C., amplifying the message for honest, affordable, and equitable healthcare.
Amidst a healthcare crisis where over 100 million Americans are in medical debt, the event aligns with recent bipartisan legislative efforts to strengthen healthcare price transparency requirements, signaling a growing momentum for essential changes in the healthcare system.
Get ready for a three-day extravaganza of music and culture as the highly anticipated Harlem Festival of Culture descends upon Randall’s Island in Harlem, New York. From July 28 to July 30, this vibrant event will feature a star-studded lineup, with headliners including ASAP Ferg, Teyana Taylor, and Wyclef Jean. With an array of hip-hop […]
The 2023 ESSENCE Festival took center stage as it celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, treating music enthusiasts to a spectacular showcase of legendary artists. The festival paid homage to the genre’s rich history with a curated set featuring Lauryn Hill and a lineup of hip-hop pioneers. The electrifying performances, including surprise appearances and memorable […]
Roots Picnic was this past weekend, and on June 3, Lauryn Hill performed her set. In a surprise move, to wrap up her time on stage, she brought out Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel for a six-song Fugees reunion performance. The group had been trying to make a reunion happen for some time now, and they finally did.
What’s bittersweet here, though, is that this could be the last time the three perform together.
In April, Pras was found guilty on a number of federal charges, including money laundering, campaign finance violations, acting as an unregistered agent for China, concealment and false record-keeping, witness tampering, and making false statements. Ultimately, he could spend up to 20 years in prison, meaning that future Fugees performances with him do not seem likely.
Questlove shared a video of the performance on Instagram and wrote, “@MsLaurynHill did us a solid by letting us not only letting us celebrate with her the classic #MiseducationOfLaurynHill but she also made a moment by bringing together her bredren @WyclefJean & @PrasMichel ……in what could possibly be one of the last times we will see this institution together in this setting. I’m giving all the gratitude for making this miracle of a night happen.”
