Newark’s Mural Honoring Wyclef Jean Is First of Five-Part Series

NEWARK, NJ – In a collective effort to beautify the streets of Newark while honoring local music legends, the GRAMMY Museum Experience, Prudential Financial Newark Arts and Yendor Arts unveiled a mural of the renowned musician and New Jersey native Wyclef Jean in the West Ward of the Fairmount neighborhood on Monday afternoon.

The 20-foot mural, designed by the artist FABS, features the face of the three-time Grammy award winner on top of piano keys on the music-themed mural. It is located on the side of the Thrift Works building on Central Avenue. It is also the site where the non-profit Urban League of Essex County serving disadvantaged residents operates.

“This is an incredible day in the renaissance of Newark,” explained Hugh Weber, president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the ownership group of the New Jersey Devils and GRAMMY Museum Experience at the Prudential Center. “On behalf of the GRAMMY Museum Experience at the Prudential Center, Prudential Financial and our partnership with the City of Newark, I’m proud to unveil this inspiring piece of artwork and rich culture of history in our fine city.”

Newark Murals is a five-part series that will highlight the importance of art and creativity while honoring the heritage of music in Newark in each of the city’s five wards – West, East, North, Central and South.

“The idea of this program is to beautify our community collectively through these beautiful murals,” said Jeff Scott, vice president of community investments and grassroots with the Devils. “We’re going to highlight various GRAMMY award winners that have a Newark or New Jersey background and display this artwork throughout each of the five wards of the city.”

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka offered insights on the importance of art and culture in the city.

“A lot of times we take our artists for granted, but we don’t do that (in this city),” suggested Mayor Baraka. “We think art is essential to social, economic and community growth. Without art, we don’t have a community.”

Jean who has collaborated with artists such as Lil Wayne, Shakira, Carlos Santana, and DJ Khaled embraced his New Jersey roots.

“My relationship with New Jersey is very important,” explained the GRAMMY award winner, who is from Newark. “My father’s church (the Good Shepherd Church of the Nazarene) is here in this city and he always believed in building communities.”

The Haitian rapper and musician chronicled his road to music stardom, which he says began at Newark’s Vailsburg High School and when he was introduced to jazz by Mayor Baraka’s family.

“I would never be able to do this if I didn’t understand the fundamental of art that’s universal,” Jean said. ”Newark to me has always been international. I love the youth in the and Newark forever.”

The next site of the murals series is yet to be determined, but there is great optimism for the program. This week the GRAMMY Museum Experience will be unveiling an exhibit of Newark native Whitney Houston to celebrate her career.