Wyclef Jean on Running for Haitian Presidency: 'I Can't Sing Forever'

By PopEater Staff Posted Jul 27th 2010 07:29AM

Wyclef Jean on Running for Haitian Presidency: 'I Can't Sing Forever' Though French-Canadian publication Le Droit recently reported Wyclef Jean would run for president of Haiti, the singer's words to CNN are a bit more cryptic: "I can't sing forever," Jean said.

The 37-year-old Haitian-born musician told CNN reports of a presidential campaign are premature, but that he is indeed mulling the idea. Jean, a member of '90s hip-hop staple The Fugees, was an active philanthropist for Haiti long before an earthquake rocked Port-au-Prince in January. His foundation, Yéle Haiti, released the following statement about the presidential prospect:

"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. At this time, Wyclef Jean has not announced his intent to run for Haitian president. If and when a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately."

Jean, who grew up in New York and New Jersey and has stayed heavily involved with Haiti as an adult, wrote the following on his Twitter last week:

wyclef tweet

When asked by FOX Business, Wyclef's response was, "I would say right now, currently at this minute, no."

In an impassioned column for the UK's Mirror, Jean recently wrote:

"Haiti still needs our help -- more than ever. People around the world made lots of promises, and we want those promises to be kept. My wife Claudinette and I are passionate about rebuilding Haiti. We've seen the situation with our own eyes, and we've been listening to others.

Rebuilding has been delayed by land disputes, bureaucratic roadblocks, customs problems, differences of opinion about strategy and even delays in getting the actual pledged money to Haiti. I'm a warrior and can't stand by quietly while promises aren't kept. I won't ever surrender."

Haiti's elections are on Nov. 28. While we wait for more news of Wyclef's candidacy, consider his 2008 tune, 'If I Was President':

Notable lyrics include: "If I was president / I'd get elected on Friday / Assasinated on Saturday / And buried on Sunday" and "Instead of spending billions on the war / We can use some of that money, in the ghetto / I know some so poor, when it rains that when they shower / Screaming 'fight the power.' "

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Tags: Haiti, Wyclef Jean

Comments

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Saturday 07 August

By Mama

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I think Jean should run for Haiti President He cares enough for the people of Haiti to go there an start rebuilding a country that has long needed someone to run an uneducated country to which he could bring good things to that country that needs to be done YOU RUN JEAN!!!!!! I would voe for u if I could. Those peple need you and your intelligence and caring.

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