Caymanian video engineer Wayneroy Randal is what Wyclef Jean, the famed Haitian-US rapper, describes as a “young genius”.
“In the world that we’re living in, you have to be hybrid,” Jean told the Cayman Compass, discussing Randal’s creative work. “This is what defines genius from regular people. He’s not just that – he’s an influencer, musician, producer, writer, so he fits right into the ‘Refugee’ camp.”
That professional diversity is why Jean will be taking Randal as his creative director for the European leg of the Janet Jackson ‘Together Again’ 2024 world tour, for which Jean will be the special guest artist.
For Randal, the opportunity feels like a dream.
“To be honest, the reality has not hit me yet,” Randal, 40, told the Cayman Compass.
“It is quite mind blowing. To think that I am the only Caymanian in the history of the world to do what I do is really an accomplishment.”
The feat, hitting the road with two music legends, comes after years of hard work for Randal.
The R&B singer, songwriter and musician moved to the US in 2013 to establish himself in the music business as he continued to manage a video production company, AV Solutions, that he co-owns with his father.
A pivot in his music career landed Randal and his company to work with large-scale festival productions. That connected him with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Jason Derulo, Shaggy, Maren Morris, Bryan Adams, Duran Duran, The Chainsmokers, Zedd, Flo Rida, Blondie, and Salt-N-Pepa.
One of the major events Randal began working with was Cayman’s Capella music festival. That gig placed him on a path with destiny.
Visuals meet destiny
Randal, who directed the visual backgrounds for the festival in 2022, caught the eye of Wyclef Jean, who was in Cayman performing his most popular songs for the first time.
Randal’s visual designs throughout the various local and international acts intrigued the rapper, and he approached the creative artist. Too focused on his work, Randal didn’t notice the Grammy award-winning musician tapping on his shoulder.
“I brushed the person off and didn’t even look at them, but signalled to them that I was trying to concentrate on this entertainer’s set,” he said.
“After her set was complete, I asked my father who it was that kept asking me for a business card. He said, ‘The man who just performed a while ago’. I said, ‘You mean, Wyclef?!’”
When Randal realised who he had just deflected, he headed backstage to apologise. Jean had been impressed, however, by Randal’s focus.
“I went looking for him because I was told he was doing these amazing visuals,” Jean told Cayman Compass. “Even if Jesus tapped him … [there was] nothing, no distraction… I thought he was amazing.”
Randal has been working with the rapper and singer as his creative director ever since. The Caymanian now dedicates himself to everything visual for Jean’s live shows, events and special projects.
Randal said working with Wyclef, “takes the cake … and the plate, and the fork.”
“It has truly been an enlightening experience. Clef is a part of a very small number of artists that bridges the gap between the generations. His [many] accomplishments in the industry are nothing short of amazing.”
He added, “His ideas are so futuristic. It pushes me to keep developing my skills.”
“Wyclef is a living legend, but to stop and think that of all the people he has worked with throughout the years, it’s this simple guy from the Cayman Islands that he sought out to be his creative director,” Randal said.
The duo has worked together in the US before, but Randal noted the European tour is “going to be next level”.
“I grew up watching and studying Michael Jackson and now to be working on a tour with his sister as the headliner is crazy!”
A Caribbean vision
The R&B and pop singer Janet Jackson is the 10th child of the famous Jackson family. She began her music career in the early 1980s and has since sold more than 100 million records worldwide and won five Grammys.
In April this year, Jackson announced UK shows in Birmingham, London, Glasgow and Manchester for the European portion of her ‘Together Again’ tour.
Jean said he’s “excited” about the tour with Janet Jackson.
“It’s amazing…I’ve always been a fan of the family, that’s going to be super amazing. Again, I’m grateful to be out there and still doing big and still be super cool to my 18-year-old daughter.”
As Jean’s creative director, Randal will be leading the video production for the performer’s set. That means perfecting graphics for nine LED walls and more.
“The thing about Clef is that no two shows are ever the same, so there will be changes to his set at every stop on the tour. This definitely keeps things interesting,” Randal said.
For Jean, Randal will help to bring a Caribbean vision and representation to the set.
“We’ve got to go all out and really show our asses out, not just with the music but with some amazing visual work too,” Jean said.
“My whole vibe as Wyclef Jean, they always nickname me ‘the carnival man,’ and that’s because of my eclectic and gumbo energy, so I think that it’s important that our set represents colour, meaning very colourful carnival costumes, our culture, our style, our food … that energy I would like to see on screen.”
When it comes to working with the “young genius”, Jean said Randal is “just getting started and there’s a few tours scheduled, so look out for that”.
Randal said he plans to make the most of the tour experience.
“I plan to learn as much as I can from the guys that have been doing this for much longer than I have. I know I can incorporate what I have learned into some of the musical events in Cayman, and hopefully this will all inspire the next generation of digital creators.”
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