(SACRAMENTO, CA) - The vibrant rhythms of Caribbean jazz and soulful global fusion are coming to the California State Fair as international music icon Wyclef Jean performs as part of the Toyota Concert Series on the Sky River Casino Stage on Saturday, July 18.
A three-time GRAMMY® Award winner, Golden Globe nominee, and Emmy-nominated artist, Wyclef Jean has been a powerful force in pop culture for more than two decades. As a solo performer and as a founding member of the groundbreaking group Fugees, Wyclef’s influence spans generations and genres.
In 1996, the Fugees released the monumental album The Score, a multi-platinum project that helped redefine hip-hop and R&B. The following year, Wyclef launched his solo career with The Carnival, which became an international success. To date, he has released eight solo albums and sold nearly nine million records worldwide.
In 2020, Wyclef expanded his creative reach into the podcasting world as host of Run That Back, a weekly show featuring in-depth conversations with influential figures from music, sports, politics, and beyond. That same year, he partnered with Google on the “Black-Owned Friday” campaign, creating a jingle to promote and support Black-owned businesses during the holiday season. The campaign earned a Webby Award and received a Clio Award nomination.
Continuing to innovate, Wyclef co-founded Sodo Mood Lab in 2021, a jingle and scoring company that bridges music and technology. Through the company, he served as a composer for Seasons 4, 5, and 6 of the acclaimed Showtime series The Chi, created by screenwriter and actress Lena Waithe.
In August 2023, Wyclef hosted the annual Caribbean Music Awards in Brooklyn, New York, and was named Co-Chair of the Music Advisory Board for the Harlem Festival of Culture, celebrating Black music, culture, and pride in New York City.
As a leader in music tech, he is Chief Creative Officer of the new platform OpenWav and a consultant for Google DeepMind, where he focuses on AI technology. Now serving as Global Culture Advisor of Circle, his goal is to help bring stablecoin innovation to the world stage and promote financial literacy across communities. He has also partnered with leading retirement services company TIAA to release “Paper Right”, a financial literacy anthem raising awareness among American youth about preparing for their futures through financial independence. Proceeds from the single support First Generation Investors, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved high school students with investing literacy.
As a philanthropist, Wyclef is deeply committed to honoring his home country of Haiti. He recently sponsored and mentored 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.
"Fairgoers can expect an unforgettable night filled with global rhythms and high-energy performance when Wyclef Jean takes the stage," said Tom Martinez, CEO of Cal Expo and the California State Fair.
All concerts are included with Fair admission. Guests who would like an up-close experience can purchase reserved seating. Presale tickets for newsletter subscribers go on sale Monday, March 16 at 7 a.m., with general sales beginning Tuesday, March 17 9 a.m., at www.CAStateFair.com.
The California State Fair runs from July 17 to August 2. Gates open at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
