Wyclef Jean Gets Political for New Album ‘The Fall and Rise of a Refugee’

Rapper-producer Wyclef Jean has announced the release of his forthcoming album, “Carnival III: The Fall and Rise of a Refugee,” which will address immigration and racial divisions in America in the era of President Donald Trump.

Speaking with CNN, the Grammy Award-winner dismissed President Trump’s proposed travel ban, which would temporarily suspend refugee resettlement and immigration from Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

“When it comes to me and the travel ban, I always speak loud and clear in the sense of understanding personally, where I came from and understanding that this is these United States of America and it is the country of immigrants,” Jean told CNN.

Jean, who was born in Haiti and moved to the U.S. when he was ten years old, has long-criticized President Trump’s stance on immigration.

Less two weeks after Trump announced his presidential candidacy, Jean shouted, “F*ck Donald Trump, he don’t like the Mexicans” during a performance in Pomona, CA.

Comparing the President to Julius Caesar, Jean told CNN that Trump is “very smart” about how he uses “the power of the media” to control the conversation around his policies.

“When a Caesar understands how to play the arena then he knows how to control everything,” Said, Jean. “When he’s yelling execute, you’re not paying attention — you’re too busy laughing and roaring at the arena.”

Jean, who ran an unsuccessful run for president of Haiti in 2010, encourages Americans worrisome of President Trump’s agenda to also hold their local politicians accountable.

“Before you can get to Donald Trump right? And you hit that ballot booth or you hit that next piece of legislation always remember that you have within your cities, you have councilmen, you have mayor, you have senators that are going to go to Washington and speak on your behalf,” he said. “You should be holding those people accountable first.”

“The Fall and Rise of a Refugee” is the 47-year-old rapper’s first full-length album in eight years. The policy charged, 12-song set is due out September 15.

Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter @jeromeehudson