In a move that's bound to thrill the members of the Arcade Fire, Wyclef Jean has decided not to run in Haiti's upcoming presidential campaign after all, despite being dropped from the ballot weeks ago.
While the Haitian-born former Fugees singer announced last August that he would enter the realm of politics, Jean's candidacy was jeopardized by the fact that he had not lived in Haiti for five years before the election. While a list of eligible candidates released August 20 didn't include Jean's name, the performer had intended to appeal the decision. A statement on his blog confirms that he's changed his mind.
"After weeks of quiet but painstaking reflection with my wife and daughter, I have chosen to end my bid for the presidency of Haiti," the artist said, adding it was "not an easy conclusion to reach."
While this year has been a troubling one for the rapper, his Yele Haiti Foundation came under fire over corruption allegations following Haiti's devastating earthquake last January, Jean is looking to put his experiences into his music.
A new album titled If I Were President: The Haitian Experience is expected to drop sometime next year.
While the Haitian-born former Fugees singer announced last August that he would enter the realm of politics, Jean's candidacy was jeopardized by the fact that he had not lived in Haiti for five years before the election. While a list of eligible candidates released August 20 didn't include Jean's name, the performer had intended to appeal the decision. A statement on his blog confirms that he's changed his mind.
"After weeks of quiet but painstaking reflection with my wife and daughter, I have chosen to end my bid for the presidency of Haiti," the artist said, adding it was "not an easy conclusion to reach."
While this year has been a troubling one for the rapper, his Yele Haiti Foundation came under fire over corruption allegations following Haiti's devastating earthquake last January, Jean is looking to put his experiences into his music.
A new album titled If I Were President: The Haitian Experience is expected to drop sometime next year.
