Back to Rock the Vote: 20 Musicians Turned Politicians

Wyclef Jean

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Inspired by his work in Haiti following the country's devastating earthquake in early 2010, Haitian-American hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean decided to run for president. He officially announced that he was running for office on August 5 of that year, and filed his papers as a candidate that same day. His bid was controversial from the start, with actorvist Sean Penn and Arcade Fire's Win Butler publicly questioning his fitness for the role. Even Jean's fellow Fugee, Pras, stated that he was supporting another candidate. On August 20, his bid for candidacy was rejected by Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council because he did not meet the residency requirements. Haiti elected another popular musician to power: Michel Martelly, who sang Haitian compas music as "Sweet Micky."