Wyclef To Run For Haitian Presidency?

If movie stars can be elected political leaders, why not a hip-hop star? Wyclef Jean is reportedly planning to run for President in the Haitian election this November.

In a statement made to the press, the Jean family explained that although nothing has been decided yet, “Wyclef’s commitment to his homeland and its youth is boundless, and he will remain its greatest supporter regardless of whether he is part of the government moving forward … If and when a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately.”

In order to run, the artist would have to prove he has lived in Haiti for five consecutive years, that he owns property in the country and that he has never been a citizen of any country other than Haiti. Wyclef, who currently serves as an ambassador for Haiti, was born in Port-au-Prince but was raised in Brooklyn, and has kept incredibly strong ties to his homeland throughout his life—he was one of the loudest voices pleading for help following the disastruous earthquake earlier this year, and has raised millions of dollars for earthquake relief through his foundation Yele Haiti.

We’ll know his decision by August 7, as that’s the last day to register for a presidential bid. President Jean certainly has a nice ring to it, no?

[NME]