Haitian Hip Hop SuperStar Wyclef Jean To Run for President

The Haitian-American hip-hop music superstar Wyclef Jean, left, filed papers on Thursday to run for president of Haiti.

Photo: Haitian Hip Hop SuperStar Wyclef Jean To Run for President

Haitian Hip Hop SuperStar Wyclef Jean To Run for President

Several hundred supporters cheered as he arrived by motorcade at an electoral office in the capital, Port-au-Prince, still largely in ruins from the Jan. 12 earthquake.

"The United States has Barack Obama, and Haiti has Wyclef Jean," he shouted, according to New York Times reports.

The singer was greeted by fans as he arrived to submit his paperwork before Saturday's deadline.

"It's a moment in time and in history," Jean said.

If Jean's candidacy is approved, the former Fugees star will face several strong political opponents.

They include ousted ex-Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis, who secured the backing of President Rene Preval's powerful Unity party this week.

The sitting President is barred by the constitution from seeking a new term. Other candidates include Raymond Joseph, who is Haiti's current ambassador to the US and Mr Jean's uncle, Sky News informs.