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Wyclef Jean Writes a Track for Beirut: ‘Immortal’

Wyclef Jean

Wyclef Jean. Photo: Shutterstock

Wyclef Jean has written and recorded a song titled Immortal in support of Beirut after the devastating explosion that rocked the city last month. The American-Haitian musician created the track in collaboration with Lebanese musician and composer Guy Manoukian, who is a longtime collaborator of Jean’s.

Due to the long-term friendship and partnership between the producer and the former Fugees frontman, who has visited Lebanon many times and is known to be very fond of the country, it was a no-brainer when the project was proposed.

Manoukian took to Instagram to share the piece and commented: “For the past 13 years, I have been working with the legendary @wyclefjean, during these 13 years he visited and performed in Lebanon many times and fell in love with our people and culture, and became more Lebanese than most.”

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For the past 13 years, I have been working with the legendary @wyclefjean , during these 13 years he visited and performed in Lebanon many times and fell in love with our people and culture, and became more Lebanese than most. When I approached him to help us put the spotlight on Lebanon, with absolutely no hesitation he accepted and embraced the project and wrote a heartfelt song dedicated to our beloved #Lebanon. I am proud to be your friend and I am proud to have been part of this magnificent project. A very special thank you to the amazing @salxo who is devising an #international release plan for #immortal , you always have #Lebanon in your heart brother🙌♥️, and last but not least @sehnaoui for producing the video in record time. #prayforlebanon #keeptalkingaboutlebanon #LebanonOfTomorrow #risefromtheashes

A post shared by Guy Manoukian (@guymanoukian) on

“When I approached him to help us put the spotlight on Lebanon, with absolutely no hesitation he accepted and embraced the project and wrote a heartfelt song dedicated to our beloved #Lebanon. I am proud to be your friend and I am proud to have been part of this magnificent project.”

With powerful lyrics such as, “I have never met a girl so beautiful / Tell me your name, she said Beirut” and “even when a bomb blast, we gonna rise from the ash”, the song directly speaks to the struggles of the country, while paying homage to the city’s beauty and the resilient nature of the local people.

The video, produced by Khalil Sehnaoui, features a montage of images of Beirut flashing on the screen as Jean performs the track in his studio. As it reaches its peak, images from the August 4 blast which emanated from the cities port and of the clean-up efforts undertaken by the residents themselves.

Manoukian added that there are plans for an international release with the support of Lebanese-Canadian record label chief executive Wassim “Sal” Slaiby.

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