Wyclef scores with Midd audience

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Last Saturday, Hip-hop musician Wyclef Jean came to Middlebury College for the annual spring concert. With 1,500 ticket sales and 1,200 fans in attendence, the concert was called a big success by members of the Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB).

The concert ran for about two and a half hours with the audience growing as the night went on. Wyclef, who is from Haiti, has a style infused with blues, jazz and reggae. His performance revealed an interesting ability to blend songs and ideas from the past, other cultures, and the present.

He is in a way the quintessential Hip-hop artist. He raps, sings and produces his own sound. Defining his style, Wyclef said, "Even when I'm rappin' there's a melody to it. It's rhymin' singing."

Overwhelmingly, the audience seemed to enjoy the show. MCAB President Meredith Kernan called the concert "awesome." She went on to say, "I heard nothing bad from students, and it was really great seeing everyone happy and having a good time."

MCAB Concert Chair J. Brito agreed with Kernan, saying, "I feel that the concert went extremely well. We had no problems from a security standpoint, and everyone that I have spoken with since has had nothing but praise for Wyclef's performance. I am pretty confident that Wyclef enjoyed the show as well, and I think his energy and interactions with the students were a good indication of this".

Students generally agreed that the concert was a nice change of pace for a weekend of festivities. Elizabeth Bueno said, "It was nice to see a group of over 500 people attending a group event together. There was a sense of unity and actual campus feel."

J. Brito echoed this feeling, "It was great to see Middlebury students of all kinds dancing and having a generally good time together in such a high energy environment - something you don't often see here."

Many students shared this sentiment, although others were disappointed that Wyclef performed many covers and fewer original songs. Wyclef covered songs such as Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry," the Jackson Five's "ABC" and DJ Kool's "Let Me Clear My Throat."

Many students also observed that Wcylef sang over a backing track at certain points during the show -- most notably to the popular song "Perfect Gentlemen." Wyclef also sang his well-known "Gone Till November" and "We Trying to Stay Alive" to the delight of the crowd.

Brito and Kernan denied this charge. "If you want lip-synching go to an Ashlee Simpson concert," said Brito. After the concert, Kernan said she was able to go backstage, meet Wyclef and watch him freestyle with the lead singer of the opening band. "It was definitely him and not a tape," said Kernan.

Wyclef's performance was notable for his ability to connect to his audience through humor and amiability. Wyclef received cheers when shouted, "Bush needs to smoke marijuana." He later invited students to party with him at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, saying, "What happens at the Marriott stays at the Marriott."

Eventually Wyclef even made his way back to the campus for late night socializing where some students were able to meet him and show their appreciation for the concert and Wyclef's presence at the College.