Jean opened up to CNN's Revealed about his tough upbringing, his time with Fugees and the influence of Haiti.

CNN: Grieving Haiti victims should 'hold on,' says Wyclef Jean

It could also be possible that the word has been popularised among children by the popularity of the pop group the Fugees.

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"'Hold On' is a song of hope for the generation, " said Jean, who shot to worldwide fame in the mid-1990s as part of the superstar hip-hop group Fugees.

CNN: Grieving Haiti victims should 'hold on,' says Wyclef Jean

Wyclef Jean of The Fugees is to emcee the show.

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