Wyclef, Steve Bartels At Midem 2017

Wyclef Jean will perform live at this year’s Midem in Cannes, France, while Def Jam Recordings CEO Bartels will take part in a Q&A June 7. 

AP Photo / Hope for Haiti Now – Wyclef Jean
“Hope for Haiti Now: a Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief,” New York City

Jean has also been named ambassador and mentor for Midem’s Artist Accelerator program, which was designed for artists and their entourages, to “support managers, agents, labels and publishers as they look to grow their artists’ profiles globally.”

Jean will share his experience in the conversation with the program’s finalists, who will be announced in April.

“I am excited about the MAA program because I have spent my entire career producing, writing for, and collaborating with amazing young artists. The youth are the future. It’s a blessing to help mould the musicians of tomorrow,” he said.

The musician, producer, composer, multiple Grammy winner and Fugees co-founder will also take the beachfront Midem by Night stage June 7.

Earlier that day, Bartels, who has worked with superstars such as Kanye West, Rihanna, Jay Z, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, Notorious B.I.G. and many more, will answer questions on stage.

“Since its inception, Def Jam has represented a unique voice in music across the globe through its artists, its music and its culture. I look forward to sharing my passion for this music – and my optimism for its future – with the creative community at Midem,” he said.

Midem director Alexandre Deniot said he was “extremely honored to announce Steve Bartels’ keynote,” and called Jean’s scheduled performance “the icing on the cake that everyone at Midem will look forward to.”