Wyclef Jean - The Preacher's Son

2003 had so far been a great year for Wyclef. A new label deal with J Records, a greatest-hits compilation, and guest production work for artists kept him at the top of the hip-hop game without actually having to release a solo album. However, Clef decided that these things were simply not enough and had to come out with The Preacher's Son. Easily a redemption for the 2002's marginal Masquerade, Preacher's Son finds Wyclef re-energized right from the opening moments (aside from the extremely out of place introduction by comedian/pitch guy Steve Harvey). Preacher's Son starts off with a one-two punch: the left hook of "Industry" finds Wyclef making a wish list to reverse several of the tragedies and battles hip-hop had endured over the past decade ("Imagine if Biggie and Pac never got shot/Nas and Jay-Z they were still homies/Squash the beef with Ja Rule and 50/Benzino shook hands with Eminem/And on the same record I heard Eve, Foxy and Kim") and the right hook of "Party to Damascus," a bumped-up track featuring Missy Elliott delivering one of her signature raunchy freestyles. Preacher's Son doesn't let up there either thanks to an armada of guest cameos from Patti LaBelle, Redman, Carlos Santana, Scarface, and Monica, just to name a few. And unlike most rap albums, which rely on these guest appearances to carry the weight of the record's impact, these contributions only complement the stellar songwriting, arrangements, and production style that has made Wyclef one of the most in-demand producers of the 2000s and '90s. As with most records, there's a bit of filler that could be trimmed to make a great record into a phenomenal one, but it's easy to forgive when the quality is so high. The Preacher's Son is a welcome return to form and easily one of the biggest highlights of Wyclef's career. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andy Grassi Mixing, Engineer Appolon "Chap" Noel Engineer Buju Banton Guest Appearance, Vocals Camilo Valencia Horn Arrangements Carl Restivo Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background), Guitar (Acoustic), Guest Appearance, Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar Carlos Bedoya Engineer Carlos Santana Guest Appearance, Guitar Chris Coon Assistant Chris LeBeau Art Producer Christopher Farr Saxophone Dale Penco Assistant Demacio Castellon Engineer Ed Calle Sax (Tenor), Flute Elephant Man Guest Appearance, Vocals Eric Day Assistant James Willets Assistant Jason Carder Trumpet Jerry Duplessis Producer, Executive Producer Jessica Harley Executive Producer Jim Hacker Trumpet Joe Yannece Mastering John Kricker Trombone John Pirretti Assistant Kevin Myers Engineer Larry Jackson A&R Malik Pendleton Vocals (Background) Marc Baptiste Photography Marcella Araica Assistant Mary Brown Vocals (Background) Matt Cappy Trumpet Melky Jean Vocals (Background) Michelle Fox Assistant Milton Salceda Piano Missy Elliott Vocals, Guest Appearance NDoffene MBodjii Assistant Patrick Magee Assistant Patti LaBelle Vocals, Guest Appearance Prodigy Guest Appearance, Vocals Racquel Honore Stylist Rah Digga Vocals, Guest Appearance Redman Guest Appearance, Vocals Renee Neufville Vocals (Background) Renel Duplessis Executive Producer Richard Bravo Percussion Robert Aaron Flute, Piano Scarface Vocals, Guest Appearance Scott Kammerer Assistant Scott Kieklak Engineer Sedeck Jean Producer, Executive Producer Serge Tsai Engineer, Mixing Sharissa Vocals, Guest Appearance Suzette Williams A&R T-Vice Vocals, Guest Appearance Teflon Producer Terry Granot Translation The Edge Guitar Tom Shumay Assistant Trevor Jerideau A&R Veronica Fletcher Groomer Waheed Dosunmu Stylist Wayne Wonder & Sanchez Vocals, Guest Appearance Wyclef Jean Producer, Executive Producer, Vocals Yani Bolo Vocals (Background)