Wyclef Jean, a Haitian-born rapper, musician, and actor, is without a doubt one of the most recognized musicians of all time. He has had an impact not just on his generation, but also on the Pan-African community, calling for unity, integration, and collaboration, notably in the arts and entertainment.
Jean, who was born on October 17, 1969, in the quiet town of Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, rose to popularity after joining the famed hip-hop group The Fugees in the 1990s. MTV named them one of the ten best hip-hop groups of all time, and their second album “The Score” was a worldwide commercial success, topping charts in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Sweden, and several other countries.
Jean has accumulated an incredible repertoire of singles from his early days with The Fugees, including “Gone Till November,” “911,” and “Sweetest Girl.” He went on to produce award-winning hits for artists like Shakira, Carlos Santana, Whitney Houston, and countless others.
Jean partnered with Carlos Santana, Avicii, and Alexandre Pires in 2014 to record the official song for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, “Dar Um Jeito.” The following year, he collaborated with Coca-Cola’s Red campaign to release his track “Divine Sorrow,” which also featured Avicii. Jean later collaborated with DJ Xenia Ghali on her 2015 hit “Get Dirty” and co-wrote his next tune “Rich Girl” with Pusha T. Jean has sold over 100 million albums and 20 million singles worldwide, and he has three Grammy Awards to his credit.
Outside of the music industry, he is the founder of the Wyclef Jean Foundation (a philanthropic organization), the owner of multiple enterprises, and a strong supporter of black businesses.Carnival World Music Group, the 2016 FACE List Award Honoree, generated $25 million in capital backing for publishing and distribution assistance of musicians in underdeveloped countries.
He created the Carnival World Music Group on the back of growing demand for Afrobeats songs across the globe. “The demand for music from Africa and other developing regions is growing and these creatives deserve to be part of the international marketplace,” Jean told Forbes.
“There is a need for them to have open access to global publishing and distribution options that protect their rights and ensure that they are fairly paid. This initiative not only introduces and launches new talent but helps creatives around the world thrive in their careers.”
Jean also debuted his first automobile in March of this year at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Country and Golf Course in Florida. Along with his girlfriend Elo and the owners of Supercar Room Miami, he designed the Attucks Apex AP0, a lightweight electric supercar. Jean eventually wants his auto company to be situated in Little Haiti, Miami.
Jean is also a marijuana investor. He is the creator of the BOOM BAP cannabis collection, which he launched in collaboration with Cali Life. Benzinga writes that “the product line features synthetic free, pre-rolled hemp blunts infused with dried flower, flavoured distillates, and kief, assuring an intense and uplifting high, as advertised by Cali Life.”