Dance On with Wyclef Jean
Do you “Love the Avenue?” We do – especially when Wyclef Jean makes a surprise appearance on Sixth! You heard it here first – Wyclef Jean, the well-known Haitian-American rapper, musician and actor will be appearing at 1221 Avenue of the Americas for a surprise performance during an outdoor Zumba class today, August 16th. This one-of-a-kind, unexpected performance will be part of the Avenue of Americas Association’s “Love the Avenue” campaign, a long-running initiative to show New York City residents and visitors from around the world the diversity and enrichment that Sixth Avenue and Midtown have to offer.
Up-Close and Personal
Wyclef’s performance will be part of a Z Club NY outdoor Zumba class, meaning participants can sweat to the sweet melodies while onlookers enjoy the tunes from a slightly further proximity. Rockefeller Group is ecstatic to host the Zumba class, which is a joint initiative between the Avenue of the Americas Association and Z Club NY, to promote healthy, active and fun lifestyles. Wyclef’s enthusiastic involvement is a testament to the exuberant nature of today’s Avenue of the Americas: music, art, and other exciting events converging to create an atmosphere unlike any other in New York City. As a cornerstone of the Avenue, Rockefeller Group recognizes the importance of these initiatives and supports them as often as possible.
Wyclef Brings His Storied History to 1221
Immigrating to the United States at the age of nine, Wyclef has spent time in both Brooklyn and various parts of New Jersey, establishing roots in the Tri-State Area that would complement his experiences overseas. As a founding member of early-1990s New Jersey hip-hop group the Fugees, he is no stranger to the spotlight. The three-time Grammy Award winner has been known to participate in surprise pop-up performances – like ours today! As audience members gather to witness his performance at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, they will be witnessing a performer that has seven solo albums under his belt, which combined have sold nearly nine million copies worldwide. His musical career has seen him collaborate with a diverse range of artists, including Shakira; Timbaland; Mary J. Blige; and Earth, Wind, and Fire, to name a few. He is set to release his eighth solo album, Carnival III: The Fall and Rise of a Refugee on September 15th, with the set featuring guest spots from Emili Sandé, Afrojack, and Avicii.
Wyclef’s ascension to stardom dovetails with Rockefeller’s goal to improve the communities that they invest in, building developments that surround and improve the lives of individuals – not the other way around. The broad range of his career choices mirrors Rockefeller Group’s propensity for innovative thinking, new experiences, and charitable outreach. As today’s performance unfolds, the underlying presence of these themes will be undeniable.