Hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean [ tickets ] has announced a late March/April tour of 11 universities in the eastern United States. Contemporary hip-hop/R&B artist Kelis [ tickets ] will open the first six dates.

Wyclef is about two weeks away from finishing his new album, ''E Cleftic'' (Refugee Allstar Records/Columbia), scheduled for release on July 4. According to Wyclef's label, the album is an eclectic mix of traditional hip-hop and R&B, plus one or two rock songs. Arists on the album include Mary J. Blige [ tickets ] and Senegalese vocalist Youssou N'Dour.

Vocalists G&B Product, who sang on Santana's Grammy-winning track ''Maria Maria,'' will join Wyclef on the tour. G&B Product were recently signed to Wyclef's Refugee Allstar Records.