Photography, Creative Direction, and Production by: Mike Ruiz @mikeruizone
Artist: Wyclef Jean @wyclefjean
Stylist: Steven Lassalle @stylebylassalle
Grooming: Jacquline Cicada @jacquelinecreates
Interview / Editor-in-Chief: Dimitri Vorontsov @dimitrivorontsov
Location: New York, USA

L’Officiel Fashion Book: We are excited to hear about your new venture Carnival Group, would you like to inform us of the progress of the venture?



Wyclef Jean: The idea of starting my own publishing came from being Haitian. I understand what it’s like for someone to offer you $1000 and you think that’s a lot of money because you come from nothing. Then, the person that gave you $1000 has made a million off of you. For the world to be better, Africa must be better. With this venture, we are looking to find writers from Africa and the Caribbean with the same story as me.

Have you made any talent discoveries since the launch?



Yes, it’s an exciting time. I have partnered up with the first worldwide female distribution company and feel this label has the next Nina Simone, Beyonce, and Miguel.

Has the pandemic affected music production for you?



I miss touring for my fans but I am at the house working on the musical score for my childhood inspired story. The sounds of Haiti have me feeling very inspired.

What type of music influenced you the most while growing up?



Jazz – Quincy Jones, Miles Davis; and Bob Marley.

What kind of advice would you give to yourself when you were growing up?



Don’t break a woman’s heart.

Do you have a specific creative process or is it pure inspiration?



Pure inspiration out of me, it was like drinking water. Ever since I was little, I knew I would be doing this.

Outside music, what are your favorite films?



My favorite films are Casablanca, Once Upon a Time in America, The Godfather, Black Orpheus, and a play turned movie called West Side Story.

Do you ever draw inspiration from motion pictures into music creation?



Yes, to me music is a score of life so all inspiration is from the world and the people in it.

You always look so sharp…

I have always been fresh and into fashion since the 1990s. I love fashion weeks around the world.

Would you like to share any upcoming collaborations or projects with us?



I’m very excited about future productions to come, working with artists like Ida Tolou, Jeremy Torres, Arsonal Da Rebel, Hannah Eggen, and Jazzy Amra. It’s been very exciting for me so I just want everyone to look out as Heads Music keeps getting bigger, better and the quality keeps exploding.