Wyclef Jean penning memoir

NEW YORK, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, said Monday it plans to publish the memoir of Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean.

Jean is to pen the book with Rolling Stone journalist Anthony Bozza, who co-wrote such books as "Whatever You Say I Am" with Eminem and "Tommyland" with Tommy Lee.

The memoir is expected to chronicle Jean's childhood in the tiny rural Haitian village of La Serre and his immigration to Brooklyn, N.Y., where at age 9 he began his career in music.

"He will recount his struggle between the double life he led as a preacher's son playing music in church with becoming a young rapper trying to fit in with his peers," the publisher said in a news release. "The book will also document his monumental success as founding member of The Fugees and then his impressive solo career where he established himself as one of the most sought-after musicians, performers, songwriters, and producers of his generation. Wyclef's work as a global philanthropist, especially in his native country through his work with Yele Haiti, which he founded in 2005, will be featured in the book."

"I am so happy to share my journey, which took me from the hut to the projects to the mansion," Jean said in a statement. "I am just getting started and feel so excited about It Books publishing the early stories from my life."