Cheated/What's Clef Review

07/13/2005 6:29 AM, AMG


This CD single is from Wyclef Jean's 1997 album Presents the Carnival Featuring Refugee Allstars, which was the first solo album from a member of the Fugees. The single was released to promote his appearance on the Smokin' Grooves summer tour. The disc contains five tracks: "Cheated (R&B Remix)," "What's Clef," "Chickenhead (Icerider Remix)," "Cheated (Rock Remix)," and "To All the Girls (LP Version)." Jean has great musical intuition and this single showcases his diverse talents well. "Cheated (Rock Remix)" is an amazing sendup of arena rock, Cheap Trick or Van Halen style. Pure joy. Jean is a scholar of music history and mixes genres like most rappers mix vocal styles. His great sense of humor is showcased here too: "Your song will last as long as your part in Crush Groove." The two B-sides, "What's Clef" and "Chickenhead," are both solid. For the Wyclef Jean fan, this is a great bonus disc to go along with Presents the Carnival Featuring Refugee Allstars. ~ JT Griffith, All Music Guide