Hendrix

Album: J'ouvert (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, Wyclef looks back at his childhood and reflects on a time when he and his friends had to choose a road to follow in life. Many of his friends joined gangs or turned to crime, but he pursued music. The song is titled "Hendrix" after the lyrics where he explains how he was listening to the rocker while his cousin was getting a Tec-9 gun:

    When my cousin got his first Tec
    I was playing Jimi Hendrix in the basement
  • Wyclef grew up in Newark, New Jersey, which was a rough area but close to the action, as it was near New York City. "This speaks to the neighborhood I grew up in and how it didn't look like much," he said of the song. "The devil, or the streets, offered drugs and cartel and I chose music. Some homies chose the NBA, or we would see people like Shaq who are from Newark and see how they made it out the danger zone."
  • Avicii made some contributions to the album, and coined the term "Clefication," which appears in the title. It refers to Wyclef's production touch and what he brings to a song. "It's the human application of music," Jean explains.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.