Wyclef Jean Lends Tom Jones A Hand

NEW YORK (Top40 Charts) - Rapper, producer, and label executive Wyclef Jean has been in the recording studio with legendary Welsh crooner Tom Jones, helping him with the creation of his forthcoming album. Jean is returning a favor since Jones is scheduled to appear on the rapper's forthcoming set, Masquerade, which is due out June 18.

Other guests to be featured on Masquerade include Freddie Foxxx, M.O.P., Claudette Ortiz of City High, and several new artists recently discovered by Jean. "PJs," "What's Up Pussycat?" and "80 Bars" are some of the songs that will be included on Jean's third solo outing, which will reportedly be much edgier than the rapper's last release, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II A Book.

Jean is dedicating Masquerade to his father, the late Reverend Gesner Jean, who died in September of 2001 from injuries sustained in a freak accident at the family's home in New Jersey.

Jean's debut set, 1997's The Carnival, has been certified double-platinum, while 2000's The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II A Book has been certified platinum for sales of a million copies.