Speaking in an interview with One54 Africa, the Haitian-born singer said his affinity for Africa dates back many years, recalling that it deepened after the release of the song “Diallo” while he was living in New York.
According to Wyclef, the name Fugees was derived from the word “refugees,” reflecting the shared history between Haitians and the African continent through the transatlantic slave trade.
In April 2019, the music icon publicly shared the results of his DNA ancestry test on social media, joining Kizz Daniel’s viral #FvckYouChallenge to announce the discovery.
“I just took my DNA test… 100 percent Nigerian Baba!” he declared in a video post.
Although many Afro-Haitians have ancestral roots spread across several West and Central African countries, Wyclef said his strongest genetic connection was to Nigeria, a discovery that inspired him to embrace the identity of a “Haitian-Nigerian” during his visits to the country.
The award-winning artiste has maintained close ties with Nigeria’s music industry for decades, long before the global rise of Afrobeats.
He shared a close friendship with late Nigerian music legend Sound Sultan, collaborating on songs including “People Bad” and “King of My Country.”
Wyclef has also performed in Nigeria on several occasions, including headline appearances at the Guinness Black Gold Concert in 2004 and Rhythm Unplugged in 2013.
During his visits, he frequently described Lagos as a place that felt like home.
In August 2023, the singer reaffirmed his connection to Nigeria while encouraging greater international investment in the country.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he said:
“You don’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’re from, and my roots trace back to West Africa, Nigeria being the strongest I’ve seen so far. I’m proud to say Nigeria is open, transparent, and welcoming to international business.”
Wyclef Jean’s journey reflects a growing trend among Afro-Caribbean and African-American artists reconnecting with their ancestral heritage through genealogy, music, and deeper engagement with contemporary African culture….See more