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

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Motley Crue

Motley CrueFact or Fiction

Was Dr. Feelgood a dentist? Did the "Crüecifixion" really happen?

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."