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Nel Ust Wyclef Jean, the renowned Haitian-American rapper, singer, actor, and musician, made a lasting impact on the global music scene. As a member of The Fugees, a New Jersey hip-hop trio, Wyclef Jean tasted fame and rose to stardom in the 1990s.
Alongside talented artists Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel, the group released the albums “Blunted on Reality” in 1994 and “The Score” in 1996. The latter, in particular, went on to become one of the best-selling albums in history.
In 1997, Wyclef launched his solo career with “Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival,” featuring the hit “Gone Till November.” He collaborated with artists like Destiny’s Child and wrote hits for Whitney Houston and Santana in 1999.
His second album, “The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book,” had the platinum track “911” with Mary J. Blige. “Masquerade” in 2002 reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 chart. He hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with Shakira in 2006. His impressive career as a musician earned him three Grammy Awards.
Jean’s impact goes beyond music. He served as Haiti’s Ambassador-at-Large in 2007 and made headlines with his charity, Yéle Haiti, after the 2010 Haitian earthquake.
His contributions earned him the BET Humanitarian Award, and a Vanguard Award from the NAACP Image Awards. He’s in the New Jersey Hall of Fame, and Haiti honored him with the National Order of Honor and Merit in 2011.
Join Billionaires.Africa to explore four business ventures linked to Jean, showcasing how he wields the power of music to change lives.
- Caribbean International Commerce Holding
Caribbean International Commerce Holding (CICH) stands at the forefront of cloud-based software innovation, simplifying, digitizing, and automating financial operations for small and midsize businesses (SMBs). Conceived by the visionary Wyclef Jean and built on CICH’s robust technology infrastructure, “NU” emerges as a transformative platform, poised to empower regions and individuals who have yet to benefit from modern digital market models. “NU” offers structured technologies and services tailored for underrepresented areas, including the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, MENA, Central, and South America.
- Carnival World Music Group
Carnival World Music Group, co-founded by Jean and Madeline Nelson, serves as a dynamic hub for creative artists seeking to navigate the complex terrain of music publishing and distribution in an expanding global digital streaming market. With a formidable $25 million in capital investment in 2020, Carnival World Music Group aims to democratize the worldwide music marketplace, championing songwriters and producers from developing regions. Moreover, it is committed to empowering women-owned businesses within the music industry.
- Refugee by DIA Clothing
In 2005, Jean joined forces with acclaimed French fashion designer DIA to introduce the fashion-forward clothing line, Refugee by DIA Clothing. DIA Clothing, known for its distinctive and stylish creations, has already made a significant impact in Europe. This collaborative venture, endorsed by Jean, not only exemplifies cutting-edge fashion but also promotes unity and cultural awareness on a global scale.
- Yéle Haiti
Renowned for his philanthropic endeavors and unwavering commitment to community betterment, Jean founded Yéle Haiti in 2001, a charitable organization formerly known as the Wyclef Jean Foundation, legally incorporated in the U.S. state of Illinois. This organization has been pivotal in various initiatives targeting pressing issues such as poverty, education, and hunger. Notably, following the devastation of Hurricane Jeanne in 2004, Yéle Haiti provided educational scholarships to 3,600 Haitian children. This commitment to education, combined with sustained efforts to provide school funding, meals, and other essential support to Haitian citizens, persisted in the years that followed. Notably, in the wake of the devastating 2010 earthquake, Yéle Haiti leveraged the power of social media and raised over $1 million in just 24 hours through Twitter, underscoring its dedication to meaningful and timely impact.
