Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant - Wyclef Jean

Smart lyrical mix of rock, rap, and soca soul.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Heard the music? Review it
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Music details
  • Artist(s): Wyclef Jean
  • Genre: Hip-hop
  • Label: Columbia
  • Parental Advisory: No
  • Edited Version: No
  • Release Date: 12/04/2007

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this album touches on several gown-up subjects such as immigration, urban violence, prostitution, and war, but does so with maturity and intelligence. The lyrics never tread into the obscene or vulgar realm.

Families can talk about artists breaking out on their own and being successful. Is it better to keep your band's sound, create your own, or blend the two together? How do you market yourself differently? Families can also talk about some of the CD's themes. What could make someone resort to violence or prostitution? What could or should be done to change that?

Message

Social Behavior:

Touches on topics such as prostitution, immigration, family separation, urban violence, and war.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Nothing explicit; one reference to "pass me a cold drink."

Violence

Some reference to urban violence, drive-by shootings, war, but nothing explicit.

Sex

Some sexual content: "sniffing a bone/for the right guy she'd go deeper than a baritone" and references to prostitution: "closed legs don't get fed/go out there and make my bread."

Language

No explicit curse words or vulgar language; occasional reference to prostitution ("pimps," "turning tricks").

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Jessica Dawson

CARNIVAL VOL. II: MEMOIRS OF AN IMMIGRANT is the long-awaited sequel to 1997's The Carnival. Although Wyclef Jean put out other albums in between, he has come full circle with this electrifying mix of eclectic world sounds (rock, reggae, hip-hop, and soca soul) to create a classic. There are some racy lyrics, but they're smart and don't overshadow the intoxicating blend of music and overall intent of the album. In "Fast Car" hip-hop and an acoustic guitar make for a haunting duet with legend Paul Simon ("when that fast car picks you up/you will have no choice/you may hear the tires scream/but you will have no voice/when that fast car picks you up/you will meet that smile and see heaven in the headlights mile after mile").

Is it any good?

4
With the help of other major artists (Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Norah Jones, and Paul Simon), this Haitian-born Grammy winner spins tales of otherwise dicey topics in a non-offensive, but honest way that can encourage a positive dialog between kids and parents.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

5

Posted on 05/03/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

Amazing album

This is depressing to me that this site can put this album down at all. Wyclef is an amazing humanitarian and obvious christian who just tries to help people. all bad things you said about him in the review were things he was also condeming. for the sex part, he was saying how sad it was a woman would do that and how hard and cruel pimps are. War and violence are a fact of life so how could he not mention it when talking about big issues witht the world? Pimps and turning tricks are words to describe something. not a swear word at all just waht they are. I am extrememly dissapointed in common sense's review and have lost all credibility for the site. Now i'll go listen to T.I. and Young Jeezy to see if they are as bad as you say they are.
4


Posted on 02/02/08 by camiluv17 Kid contributor, age 17

Adult Reviews

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There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

5

Posted on 05/03/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

Amazing album

This is depressing to me that this site can put this album down at all. Wyclef is an amazing humanitarian and obvious christian who just tries to help people. all bad things you said about him in the review were things he was also condeming. for the sex part, he was saying how sad it was a woman would do that and how hard and cruel pimps are. War and violence are a fact of life so how could he not mention it when talking about big issues witht the world? Pimps and turning tricks are words to describe something. not a swear word at all just waht they are. I am extrememly dissapointed in common sense's review and have lost all credibility for the site. Now i'll go listen to T.I. and Young Jeezy to see if they are as bad as you say they are.
4


Posted on 02/02/08 by camiluv17 Kid contributor, age 17

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