Wyclef Jean Releases New Single “Back From Abu Dhabi” Featuring French Montana And Rick Ross

Friday, September 19 - Today,Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, and composer Wyclef Jean marks his triumphant return with "Back From Abu Dhabi" featuring icons French Montana and Rick Ross. The new track begins with a classic record scratch and M.C. intro by Dave Chappelle, ushering a homecoming back to the rap genre for the Fugees co-founder. The "Back From Abu Dhabi" narrative bridges Jean's past and present. From growing up in Haiti and Marlboro Projects in Coney Island, seeing the splendors of Abu Dhabi was a lifetime away. Now that he's made it, he's looking back. It's his quantum leap both sonically and spiritually, and a moment in time that could only be created by the artist he is, was and will be.

Forever leading with unwavering dedication to his Haitian culture, Wyclef remains the global Carnival Man. From the release of his solo debut The Carnival, he cleared the path of what planned to create in the years to come, blending hip-hop, reggae, folk, disco, soul, Afro-Cuban and Haitian music. Today, he continues to bring Carnival culture to the world, bringing his Karnivalé show to KOKO London with the incomparable Miss Lauryn Hill, celebrating at Notting Hill Carnival, and much more to come. As Wyclef continues to pioneer new paths for himself, his growth as a musician will always be rooted in jazz and the church. On September 11-14, he made his debut at the Blue Note New York, returning to his love of jazz and playing with special guests like Buju Banton, Theo Croker, Peter Gunz and more. Following, he celebrated music and fashion with COLORS during NYFW with a closing party presenting the HAITI TWINZ with a DJ set at Flyfish Club.

This February will mark two milestone anniversaries for Wyclef, celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the Fugees' The Score - one of the most influential early alternative hip-hop albums of all time - and 20 years of his massive global hit as the writer and featured artist on "Hips Don't Lie" with Shakira. Wyclef's indelible impact on the music industry as a composer, writer and producer is easily tracked among his countless hits for legends like Whitney Houston, Santana, Destiny's Child, Mary J. Blige, Lil Wayne, T.I., The Fugees and many more. His ability to both transcend and blend global genres and masterful use of instrumentation make him a timeless creator even among his contemporaries. In 2025 alone he's been sampled by Ayra Starr, will.i.am, DJ Mustard, Stormzy, Central Cee and G Hero.

LISTEN TO " BACK FROM ABU DHABI "

The artwork for the single marks the start of a new collaboration with Jean and British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori MBE , curated and driven by 12on12 , the drop-culture brand that unites music icons and contemporary artists to create collectible work that tell powerful, layered stories. This first release offers a glimpse of a larger creative journey yet to unfold.

Ilori is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer whose bold, vibrant work draws on his heritage to explore themes of joy, hope, community and dreaming. Known as the 'Architect of Joy,' he blends art, design, and storytelling to transform everyday spaces into inclusive, imaginative worlds that bring people together and inspire connection. Drawing inspiration from lyrics about returning from a place of wealth and success as a testimony to achievement, Ilori translates multiple lyrical references and metaphors into a vibrant visual narrative. The artwork celebrates the radiance of thriving individuals while acknowledging the scrutiny and challenges that accompany success, capturing resilience and the pursuit of big dreams, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds where achievement once seemed unimaginable.

This release is just the beginning: 12on12 will continue charting the evolving creative dialogue between Jean and Ilori, with further collaborations and stories on the horizon.

ABOUT 12ON12

12on12 is a lifestyle brand at the intersection of music and contemporary art, offering a unique canvas for storytelling through vinyl records and collectible editions. Each release, from new music and greatest hits to bespoke compilations, is a curated experience pressed on 12" vinyl, with collaborations from renowned visual artists transforming the sleeve into a work of art. Beyond vinyl, 12on12 produces editioned fine art prints and lifestyle pieces, showcasing the creative vision of its collaborators. Grammy Award-winning artists Swizz Beatz and Timbaland hold a strategic stake in the brand. Past projects include Timbaland x Derek Fordjour, Nas x Futura, Travis Scott x Saint Laurent, Robert Glasper x Jeff Staple, Swizz Beatz x Ferrari Sheppard, and Rammellzee x Palais de Tokyo, as well as ComplexCon featuring Takashi Murakami. Learn more at 12on12.com .

ABOUT YINKA ILORI MBE

Yinka Ilori MBE is a London-based, British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist, designer and entrepreneur whose bold visual language draws on his dual heritage to convey new narratives through contemporary design. Drawing on Nigerian parables and verbal traditions, Ilori touches on a multitude of themes that resonate with a global audience. His work is underpinned by the belief that art and design should be accessible to all. Humorous, provocative and playful, his projects demonstrate how design can bring together communities and have a positive impact on society, evoking a sense of joy and optimism. Often using the city as his canvas, he reimagines spaces to encourage a sense of community and invites audiences to engage and participate in his work and its surroundings. A graduate of London Metropolitan University's BA in Furniture and Product Design, Ilori's work has been showcased globally through solo and group exhibitions, public commissions and set and exhibition design. For more information, visit yinkailori.com .

ABOUT WYCLEF JEAN

Wyclef Jean is a Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, and composer with over two decades

of pioneering influence in the music industry and culture. As a founding member of the Fugees, their 1996 album "The Score" achieved monumental global and chart topping success, in addition to two Grammy Awards and a nomination for Album of the Year. He has released eight solo albums, including "The Carnival," which sold nearly nine million copies worldwide. As a producer and writer, he is responsible for hits like "Hips Don't Lie" (Shakira), "Maria Maria" (Santana) and more. In 2020, Wyclef launched the podcast "RunThatBack".

As a leader in music tech he co-founded SodoMoodLab, composing music for Showtime's "The Chi," is Chief Creative Officer of OpenWav, and a consultant for Google DeepMind, where he focuses on AI technology. As a philanthropist, he is deeply committed to honoring his home country of Haiti, recently sponsoring and mentoring Haitian students in a robotics program that achieved global accolades. He is a Global Ambassador for Global Citizen, is on the National Advisory Board for Music Will, and was honored with their 2025 Innovator Award. He remains a dynamic cultural force, seamlessly integrating music, education, and technology to drive meaningful social change.

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Rebecca Shapiro, MC Miskell, Naomi Banks