The Haitian MC and producer who rocketed to fame along with the other two members of the Fugees (Pras and Lauryn Hill), Wyclef Jean was the first to embark on a solo side-project. Born in Haiti, though his family moved to South Florida while he was still a child, Jean grew up in Brooklyn, spending time with his cousin, Pras. After the two hooked up with Lauryn Hill, the Fugees were born and revealed as hip-hop superstars after their second album, 1996's The Score. The following year, he went out on his own for The Carnival Featuring the Refugee All Stars, though both of his band-mates made appearances. Thanks to the single "We Trying to Stay Alive" (and to the Bee Gees for the sample), the album hit the Top 20 and went gold.