Grammy Award-Winning Musician Wyclef Jean Writes & Records New Song, ‘Venus (I’m Ready),’ In Honor of 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Venus Williams

"Venus (I'm Ready)" Set To Debut As Women's Tennis Champion's Theme Song At

                                2008 US Open

      Venus Williams & Wyclef Jean Paired On Fourth Season Episode Of

         "Iconoclasts," Premiering November 13 On Sundance Channel



    NEW YORK, Aug. 22 /EMWNews/ -- The Haitian-born Grammy Award-winning

musician/producer/social activist Wyclef Jean has written and recorded an

anthemic new song, "Venus (I'm Ready)," inspired by the spirit, character

and prowess of American tennis champion Venus Williams, who recently took

home her third Olympic gold medal (with her sister Serena) in the women's

doubles match at the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.



    An exuberant celebration of the record-breaking athlete (and the

mythological Roman goddess of love and beauty whose name she shares),

"Venus (I'm Ready)" is Wyclef's musical fan letter to the 2008 Olympic gold

medalist and reigning Wimbledon singles and doubles champion.



    "Venus' determination and mental strength inspires me!," exclaimed

Wyclef Jean. "Much like Isis, her strength should be celebrated."



    "Venus (I'm Ready)" is slated to premiere as Venus Williams' theme

music during the 2008 US Open tennis tournament in Flushing, Queens, New

York, running from August 25 through September 7.



    For more information on the availability of "Venus (I'm Ready)," Wyclef

Jean's musical celebration of Venus Williams, please visit http://www.wyclef.com.



    Wyclef Jean met Venus Williams when the two were paired for an upcoming

episode of "Iconoclasts," the groundbreaking Sundance Channel original

television series, now in its fourth season, which brings together two

leading innovators from different fields to discuss their passions and

creative processes. The Venus Williams/Wyclef Jean episode of "Iconoclasts"

is scheduled to premiere November 13 at 10pm ET/PT on the Sundance Channel

(please check your local listings).



    "I have been a fan of Wyclef's for many years, from his work with the

Fugees to his success as a solo artist," said Venus Williams. "He's a

fantastic writer, singer, producer and performer whose music crosses genres

and touches people's lives. I am specially impressed by Wyclef's dedication

to humanitarian causes and his strong sense of character. I was so happy to

meet Wyclef and work with him on our 'Iconoclasts' episode but not even in

my wildest imagination, did I expect that such a beautiful song would be

one of the outcomes from meeting Wyclef. He is an amazing human being and

it is truly an honor for me to be recognized in such a wonderful way by

such a gifted musician and exceptional person."



    Venus Williams



    At the tender age of 14, Venus Williams became a professional athlete,

taking the world of tennis by storm. Fiercely determined and wielding an

impressive degree of physical skill, she spent the next decade rising to

the top-ranked position and winning numerous championships, including the

US Open, Wimbledon and doubles at the Australian Open and French Open, as

well as two Olympic Gold medals.



    In July 2008, she won her fifth Wimbledon Championship in a riveting

match against her sister Serena Williams, joining the handful of legendary

women's singles tennis champions who have won five or more Wimbledon

Championships. A three time US Open winner (Best Singles Performance --

2000, 2001; Best Doubles Performance -- 1999), Venus holds the record for

fastest serve in women's tennis history. She tied her 2007 record-breaking

serve of 129 mph, the fastest serve ever recorded in women's tennis

history, at Wimbledon in 2008. Venus took home her third Olympic Gold medal

at the 2008 Beijing Olympics on August 17, 2008.



    Known for her distinctive style, Williams earned a degree in Fashion

Design from The Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. Now 28, she is a

successful entrepreneur with her own line of sneakers, clothing and

accessories, "EleVen"; and an interior design firm, V Starr Interiors. She

is the subject of a new coffee-table book, "Venus," with images by

world-renowned avant-garde photographer, Koto Bolofo.



    Wyclef Jean



    Haitian-born Wyclef Jean is a Grammy Award-winning musician/producer

and social activist. A founding member of the pioneering hip-hop group

Fugees and prolific solo artist, Jean has effortlessly crossed genres,

generations and geographic boundaries as a musical goodwill ambassador and

a diplomat for positive cultural evolution.



    His sixth and latest studio solo album, "Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of

an Immigrant," featured the platinum-selling "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill),"

Wyclef's first Top 10 single as a solo artist. His albums with the Fugees

include the platinum-selling 1996 classic "The Score," which reached the #1

slots on Billboard's Top 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums charts and earned

two Grammy Awards.



    Much in demand as a producer, writer and performer, he has collaborated

with artists including Bono, Carlos Santana, Whitney Houston and Shakira,

with whom he recorded the #1 international smash hit "Hips Don't Lie."



    In 2005, Jean created the non-profit foundation Yele Haiti to provide

aid and assistance to his native Haiti. The charity links with existing

groups and/or starts programs relating to hunger, education, youth

rehabilitation, AIDS treatment and prevention, and sustainable development.




http://www.wyclef.com



     http://www.myspace.com/wyclefjean



     http://www.facebook.com/wyclef



     http://www.columbiarecords.com