He was a member of the hip-hop group called the Fugees with Lauryn Hill and Prakazrel Samuel Michel, also known as Pras.

VOA: special.2009.11.25

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.

BBC: Refugee: today's playground insult?

"'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