Wyclef Jean — who received some highly publicized criticism from both former bandmate Pras and Sean Penn during his thwarted bid to become the next president of Haiti — has now fired back. In song, no less. During a Hot 97 concert this weekend, Wyclef (sort of) let Pras off the hook, but he didn’t hold back at all in making a pretty serious accusation about Penn.
“I got a message for Sean Penn: Maybe he ain’t see me in Haiti because he was too busy sniffing cocaine,†Jean sang, changing the lyrics to his 2004 song “President.†“I got a message for Praswell, even though you don’t want to support me, I got love for you, even though you only kicked 8 bars in the Fugees.â€
Penn’s rep immediately jumped to shoot down the claim:
“Mr. Jean is clearly unfamiliar with the physical demands put upon volunteers in Haiti,†Sean’s rep told website JustJared. “As aid workers there, the notion of depleting the body’s immune system thru the use of illicit drugs is ludicrous. More specifically, J/P Haitian Relief Organization (a.k.a. JPHRO) has a ZERO tolerance policy for any and all illegal drugs. As the leader of this organization, Sean Penn has not only set this policy, but adheres to it. That Mr. Jean would make such a false accusation is reckless and saddening, but not surprising.â€
One gets the sense that, unfortunately, this back-and-forth won’t be over anytime soon.