Wyclef's revved up

Wyclef Jean always speaks in a voice that sounds like it's in need of a fresh battery.

That is, until he talks fast cars. Passionate he may be about hip-hop and the state of education in his Haitian homeland, but the rapper perks up when conversation turns to cars.

"I think I probably have one of the best selections in the world," he said.

His car collection — 54 at the last count — includes a monster truck, a hot-pink Cadillac Eldorado, a Ferrari and a McLaren F1. "My love for cars is not just about getting flashy cars. My dad was a mechanic, that was one of his jobs. I don't like cars too flash, I like cars that go fast and perform well."

So you can imagine his joy at being asked to perform at this year's F1 Yasalam event in Abu Dhabi.

"That part of the world is probably where my spirit is from," said Jean over the phone from New York. "It's the first time I'm probably gonna rock out and perform [there] and I can't wait, you know."

Haitian-born Jean, 42, is a rapper but turned politician last year to help out in his earthquake-ravaged homeland. He was not permitted to run for president due to non-residency.

"I am positive about things there now," he said. "It's all starting with the re-housing. But the education is what will make the difference. We have to send people to school. We can talk about the reconstruction, but until we have education we have nothing."

Don't miss it

Wyclef Jean performs at Beats on the Beach tonight and at SkyBar tomorrow at Flash Forum alongside J. Cole and Example. For more information, visit thinkflash.ae.