(AllHipHop News) Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean and actor Ray Liotta were inducted recently into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
The Haitian-born singer, who grew up in the U.S. state, was honored for his achievements at the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, and gave an impassioned speech about his father and the opportunities available for immigrants in America.
“Don’t forget, this is what being an immigrant is about,” Jean said, recalling his father’s words. “This is what these United States is about. As long as you do something with pride, as long as you believe in it, and as long as you don’t break the law, it gives you an opportunity to be somebody.”
He also performed the Fugees hit “No Women No Cry,” while fellow inductee Tommy James delivered a rendition of his rock band Tommy James and the Shondells’ 1960s hit “Mony Mony” as the rest of the Class of 2017 stepped out onstage.
Other inductees included U.S. TV presenter Kelly Ripa, author Carol Higgins Clark, newswoman Connie Chung, and retired boxer Chuck Wepner, who was praised in a video message by actor Liev Schreiber, who portrays the sportsman in new movie “Chuck.”
“They say the true measure of a man is how he handles himself in adversity,” Schreiber said, according to NJ.com. “I don’t know anybody who handled adversity better, who absorbed punishment, who took on unthinkable challenges, and through sheer tenacity and courage and absolute determination to always keep moving forward, defined himself.”