Wyclef Jean offers advice to his homeboys on Mr October, from the first of seven planned solo albums in different genres by the former Fugee.

Back when The Fugees were a big thing in the mid-90s, Lauryn Hill got all the attention – and rightly so. Wyclef Jean was just the bloke who said “One time.”

Of course there was more to him than that; much more. For a start he played guitar as well. And when he had a solo hit with Gone Til November, it was clear he had talent in his own right.

So it’s no surprise to find that while Ms Hill, his erstwhile partner (musically and romantically) has all but vanished, here is is with the first of a promised raft of seven new albums, each in a different musical genre.

Drawing on his own experiences, coming to the USA from Haiti at the age of nine without a word of English, Mr October is a salutary lesson to young men like him who grew up in the projects, advising them on how to make the most of their lives.

The talents they might acquire through drug dealing, he suggests, could be put to far better use in forming a corporation, where the same luxury lifestyle can be enjoyed on the right side of the law.

“We’re living in an era where we must amplify reform over violence and believe in the possibility of a better future for underserved communities,” he commented about the single.

You’d expect no less from a man who tried to run for president of his birth country (he failed to meet residency requirements), and started a charity raising aid for Haiti, which is in political and economic chaos.

Here he is, with rapper G Herbo, giving his elder-statesman advice to today’s generation of kids; there are also at least two great remixes, one with Tsu Surf and another with French rapper Oli.