Wyclef: 'Earthquake inspired political bid'

Wyclef Jean has revealed that the January 12 earthquake in Haiti inspired him to run for president of the country.

The musician is expected to officially announce his intent to run for office during a Thursday night appearance on Larry King Live.

"If not for the earthquake, I probably would have waited another ten years before doing this," he told Time.

"The quake drove home to me that Haiti can't wait another ten years for us to bring it into the 21st century."

He continued: "If I can't take five years out to serve my country as president then everything I've been singing about, like equal rights, doesn't mean anything."