Wyclef Jean May Launch Presidential Bid in Haiti

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WNYC Newsroom
WNYC News | Aug 3, 2010

From Brooklyn to the presidential palace? That might be what rapper-turned-activist Wyclef Jean has in mind for his native country of Haiti.

The 37-year-old Grammy-winning hip-hop artist was born in Haiti, but grew up in New York. His reported interest in the presidency was sparked after he helped organize relief efforts in the country following the January 12th earthquake.

The former head of Haiti's Chamber of Deputies, Pierre Eric Jean-Jacques, says Jean will run as part of his coalition in the November election.

Jean's spokeswoman, Cindy Tanenbaum, declined to confirm the report. However, she did say that Jean would make an announcement on Thursday night -- though she declined to say what it might be.

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