SAN JOSE (BUSINESS WIRE) – Grammy Award Winning musician Ambassador Wyclef Jean and International business mogul Howard Misle have merged their vast media assets to form a new joint venture to produce an array of music, TV, and film projects under the In Ya Face/Refugee/Carnival House umbrella.
The initial and primary focus will be music and Misle and Jean will serve as Co-Chairmen of the new Silicon Valley based company. Jean’s Refugee/Carnival House Hip Hop duo Kontrast will merge with Misle’s In Ya Face Records roster including: Pop princess Eva, R&B diva Holly Rae, R&B male star Sonny Blaq and Hip Hop acts Big Work and ProHoeZak.
In the new venture Misle and Jean will sign, develop and produce new and established acts. Jean will also become a strong creative force in the development and production of several of the artists from the In Ya Face stable. The first music project from the newly formed venture is due in the spring of 2008.
In addition to becoming a greater force in music, the team also has several major TV shows in development including a new reality program that will revitalize the hip hop genre. That show is set to begin filming as soon as January 2008. The duo is also expected to join forces with a major Hollywood film actor to produce several films.
“Having Wyclef as a partner is a tremendous honor. He is one of the most talented and respected voices in modern music today. His work with the Fugees and all of his solo projects shows great depth and dedication to his craft. His brand of creativity is a great complement to our executive team,” said Misle. He added, “I have great respect for the humanitarian work he does in Haiti. It says a great deal about his character. Character is an important factor when I decide to do business with someone.”
Jean stated, “In a time when record companies are suffering due to download technology, the idea of artist development doesn’t exist anymore. It was great to find my partner Howard ‘Big H’ Misle, owner of In Ya Face Records, who belives as well as I do that true artistry lies not in technology but in the development of the artist.”
Howard Misle is an important figure in the U.S. and International metals, waste management and industrial recycling businesses. He is the CEO or majority shareholder in 15 U.S and international companies.
His love of music and new challenges led him to form In Ya Face Records in 2005. The two met when Jean approached Misle about developing recycling efforts for the infrastructure in Haiti.
Eventually the conversation turned to music and they soon realized they had the same objectives in expanding their entertainment empires and decided to merge. Misle stood by Wyclef while he produced his latest CD “The Carnival II: Memoirs Of An Immigrant” and when the CD was completed Misle executive produced the music video clip for its debut single, “Sweetest Girl.” Carnival II is expected to debut in the Top 10 amongst the Billboard Top 200 Albums this week.
