Wyclef Jean and Carlos Santana Release Freedom Remix
The musical icons have reunited to launch a new version of the song alongside an accompanying music video.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Latin
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Wyclef Jean and Carlos Santana have released a remix of the song Freedom, which features new guitar work from the legendary musician. The track, which originally appeared on the album Clef Notes - Quantum Leap, Vol. 1, is accompanied by a new music video.
Why it matters
This release marks the first collaboration between the two artists in 27 years. They previously worked together on the hit track Maria Maria, which achieved significant commercial success at the turn of the millennium.
The original Maria Maria collaboration spent 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2000 and won a Grammy Award. The artists last worked together 27 years ago, and Carlos Santana’s band is ranked among The 100 Best Bands of All Time.
The players
Wyclef Jean
He is a multi-talented musician and producer known for his solo work and his influential role as a founding member of the Fugees.
Carlos Santana
He is a renowned guitarist and bandleader whose pioneering work blends rock, jazz, and Latin American music influences.
DJ Khaled
He is a prominent record producer and DJ who is well-known for his extensive collaborations with top artists across the music industry.
The details
The remix features distinct guitar elements from Carlos Santana to reimagine the original track from the Clef Notes project. The pair also released an accompanying music video to support the global digital release of the song.
Timeline
1999: The original release of the song Maria Maria.
2000: Maria Maria spent 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
2017: DJ Khaled sampled Maria Maria for his track Wild Thoughts.
October 2026: The global release of the Freedom remix and its music video.
Industry Dynamics
This reunion underscores the enduring cultural influence of 1990s and 2000s Latin-infused hits in the current streaming era. It reflects a trend of legacy artists revisiting past successes to bridge generational gaps within the global music audience.
The new track and its music video are available immediately on global digital music platforms. Fans can access the content through standard streaming services and digital music retailers.
The takeaway
This collaboration highlights how artists can leverage past success to generate interest in new material decades later. Audiences can look forward to hearing how modern production techniques blend with the iconic guitar styles that defined previous chart-topping hits.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by Consequence of Sound.
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