Martelly, Michel Joseph

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Michel Joseph Martelly, 1961–, Haitian musician and political leader. After periods of living in the United States, he returned home in 1987 and became a keyboard player and singer, specializing in compas, a Haitian musical style. Nicknamed "Sweet Micky," and known for his flamboyant stage personality, he became one of Haiti's most popular musicians. A relative political novice but popular with the poor and unemployed, Martelly was a candidate in the 2010 presidential election, which was marred by fraud and violence. Ultimately declared the second-place finisher, he handily defeated ex-first lady Mirlande Manigat in the 2011 runoff.