Wyclef Jean and Carlos Santana have joined forces again, 27 years after collaborating on Santana’s 1999 hit “Maria Maria.” The two musicians have launched a remix of Jean’s song “Freedom,” released alongside an accompanying music video.
Titled “Freedom (Carlos Santana Remix),” the new version brings Santana’s signature guitar playing to a track that questions the meaning of freedom in today’s world. The song originally appeared on Jean’s Clef Notes – Quantum Leap, Vol. 1, the first installment of an ambitious seven-album project.
The collaboration brings the two artists back together more than a quarter-century after “Maria Maria,” which Jean co-wrote and co-produced for Santana’s blockbuster album Supernatural.
The song became one of Santana’s biggest hits, spending 10 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in 2000 and winning a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Its distinctive guitar melody later found a new audience when DJ Khaled sampled it for his 2017 hit “Wild Thoughts,” featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller.
Meanwhile, Santana’s namesake band was recently included in Consequence‘s ranking of The 100 Best Bands of All Time, published earlier this week.
Watch the music video for “Freedom (Carlos Santana Remix)” below.