Wyclef Jean is giving back and his latest charitable donation arrives, courtesy of his efforts to raise $25 million dollars in funding to Carnival World Music Group, which aims to support artists in developing countries seeking publishing and distribution support.Carnival World Music Group, which aims to ensure artists in developing countrys have publishing and dustribution
In his new interview with Forbes, the industry titan, 50, detailed his cultural ties with his native Haiti and his belief that the Afrobeats genre will continue to be a steady influence for western culture. Jean, who is "almost 100% Nigerian," as per his DNA ancestry test, and his music have always been influenced by Haitian and African roots. Back in 2004, he made his first trip to Africa to perform with Fela Kuti's son, Femi Kuti, and sequentially released a track called "Diallo" in memory of Amadou Diallo, a 23-year-old Guinean immigrant who was shot 19 times by four New York City policemen. It was a smash and impacted his fandom in Africa. Since then, he's travelled to the continent over 75 times, working with local talent, more specifically, Nigerian recording artists such as D'Banj and 2Face Idibia.
For Carnival World Music Group, the venture will help songwriters, producers and the like in developing regions have access to publishing and distribution. "The demand for music from Africa and other developing regions is growing and these creatives deserve to be part of the international marketplace," he said. "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."
"Like all good things, creating a form of music from its roots takes time," he explained. "You can't talk about western popular culture today without talking about Africa; from the dance styles to the music, African inspiration is there."
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