(AllHipHop News) Rappers Wyclef Jean and Pras Michele, along with music executive Jimmy Rosemond and boxer Andre Berto are celebrating Michel Martelly’s landslide victory yesterday (April 4th) in his quest to become Haiti’s new President.
Late last night, the Haitian government’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) announced that popular musician Michel “Sweet Mickey” Martelly won the Presidency with 67% of the overall vote, defeating former first lady Mirlande Manigat.
Martelly, 50, will succeed former president Rene Preval and become Haiti’s 56th President when he officially takes office on May 15th. Rapper Wyclef Jean helped campaign on behalf of Martelly by organizing rallies and concerts along with Jimmy Rosemond.
Wyclef, who attempted to run, but was forced to back out over residency requirements, was with Michel Martelly in Haiti when the President-elect was told he won the election.
“The Haitian youth have spoken and Michel Martelly has been elected President,” Wyclef Jean told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “It’s time for every Haitian, poor or not, to dream again. It’s time for every Haitian in the Diaspora to reclaim his or her heritage & country.”
According to Pras, Haitians in the country must not celebrate too long, due to the amount of work that needs to be done in the country, after a 7.0 earthquake killed over 300,000 people in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country in January 2010.
“There are no words for this historical event but we must not be intimidated by the work ahead of us,” Pras told AllHipHop.com. Jimmy Rosemond also helped Martelly into office, by hosting a concert featuring Busta Rhymes for tens-of-thousands of youth encouraging them to go out and vote in the election. “Haiti’s rich history is now a current event,” said Rosemond. The former government never asked for people in the Diaspora to help but Martelly has extended his hand. We are Haitian and we want to help our country.”
Haitian boxer WBC Champion Andre Berto also congratulated Michel Martelly on his recent victory.
“Congrats to Michel Martelly! With him in office, we have someone who can really identify with the young people that are the majority there,” Berto said. “I see change coming to Haiti.”