Wyclef Jean's Mercedes V8 V500 SUV - Welcome To The Thunderdome

His true love is DJ'ing with his Jamaican sound system called "Refugee Assassins." He's into the true Jamaican scene and has competed there. It started in Jamaica and England, where DJ'ing is more than just technique and having the latest records, but rather having exclusive dub plates or one-off vinyl records exclusive for DJs. Wyclef's exclusive dub plate collection that won him first place this past year in Jamaica are from such artists as Bennie Man, King Yellow Man, Whitney Huston, Kenny Rogers, Little Kim and MOP. It's this eclectic collection and his sense of timing (to drop such records on a crowd at the right time) that makes up part of the true science of being a DJ. Maybe Wyclef's skills in that arena probably has something to do with his keen studio ears which probably helps him to monitor the crowd, as well as the sounds.

The Alpine mobile video player in the V500 is also for his work; he uses it for viewing rough cuts (un-edited footage) of a group's music video. This way he can make creative directions on the fly, or en-route. About the only thing that isn't essential producer gear would be the Sony PlayStation game console. But that doesn't mean it's absolutely necessary.

When asked how he is going to top this vehicle, Wyclef said it's not about topping the car, but about building the collection, much like collecting records for a DJ. He likes his 1958 Cadillac with the shark fins, and the 1991 Bentley Continental Corniche, of which there are only 13 in the world. It's all about the rarity of the car, about being unique. It's fitting that Wyclef went to UA for the multimedia install on the V500. As for future goals: within ten years, Wyclef wants to host the "Wyclef Pebble Beach Classic" or the "Wyclef Hampton Classic" car show. An event couldn't have a better producer behind it.

When asked what music he is listening to, he informs us MOP is in the CD player right now. He is into the older hip hop stuff, too, like Evil D, Buck Shot Shorty, Smif'n'Wession, and early Digital Underground when Tupac was carrying the record crates and had one verse. And his most classic hip hop vinyl is the battle between Busy B vs. Cool Moe Dee. If you don't know these guys, don't ask, do your history lessons.