Since Wyclef Jean’s announcement for the Haitian presidential candidacy in August, Pride has been there following the highs and lows – unfortunately for the US rapper, his campaign wasn’t successful.
In a revealing interview with The Metro the ‘Gone Till November’ rapper explained why he entered the race and what his new EP ‘If I Were President: My Haitian Expereience’ is all about:
Why he decided to run:
‘When I decided to run for president, the international community had their eye on my country. The youth had a voice. But in doing so, I immediately got challenged by institutions – “you’re a musician, what do you know about politics?”. I’ve had a very rough year and the Haitian Experience EP is my diary of that. It’s an immigrant story.’
He added: I didn’t enter politics to be popular – being able to do the music and production is a blessing, not the destiny. You have to raise your nation to the occasion. That’s what I want to be remembered for.’
Speaking on the album:
Every track on that EP is literal, including Death Threat,’ he says. ‘The opposition thought they would freak me out with threats of violence but we stood our ground.
The Haitian population are heavy on the heart of Wyclef Jean and it’s great to see an artist so passionate about a political issue.
