Overview:
Adras Jean-Baptiste, a Haitian reggae musician died on April 15, 2025 in Anse-à-Foleur, a city within the North-West Division. He was affected by an undisclosed sickness for almost 5 years.
PORT-DE-PAIX — Reggae artist Adras Jean-Baptiste, higher often known as GBX, died on April 15 at his dwelling in Anse-à-Foleur after battling an sickness for almost six months, based on his household. He was 39.
His music, which tackled insecurity, poverty, and prejudice, helped form Haiti’s small however highly effective reggae scene, incomes him respect as one of many style’s most grounded voices of social fact.
“We don’t sing what we don’t stay — we sing what we stay,” stated his brother, Yslet Jean-Baptiste.
A local of Anse-à-Foleur, 17 miles east of Port-de-Paix, Jean-Baptiste moved to the capital in 2005 to start his music profession and transitioned absolutely to reggae by 2015. He left Port-au-Prince a number of months earlier than his dying to return to his hometown within the Northwest area, his brother informed The Haitian Instances.
GBX gave voice to Haitian realities by way of reggae
Jean-Baptiste’s music profession started in Creole rap at 19 however he then shortly discovered his creative identification in reggae. Whereas reggae stays a distinct segment style in Haiti, Jean-Baptiste believed it supplied the liberty to talk brazenly concerning the nation’s social points. That keenness led him to grow to be one in all Haiti’s most acknowledged reggae voices.
“Our biggest achievement with this group will not be the sum of money we introduced in, however our biggest success is that our music manages to the touch on the actual issues of our society.”
Yslet Jean-Baptiste, Adras Jean-Baptiste’s brother
He based the group Sektè Rasta—or Rasta Sector—20 years in the past in Anse-à-Foleur, His youthful brother Yslet additionally carried out with the group.
“We observed that the majority Haitian konpa music solely talks about love between women and men,” Yslet stated. “However they don’t contact on the issues throughout the Haitian neighborhood.”
“Our supply of motivation, our inspiration, is every little thing that occurs earlier than our eyes; it’s actual life,” he added. “We don’t sing what we don’t stay, we sing what we stay.”
Describing Haitian actuality in Jamaican reggae musical rhythm
Jean-Baptiste launched two albums with 17 songs over his profession. His hottest tracks—“Nèg yo pa vle wèm” (The fellows don’t like me), “Mal paka fini” (Evil can’t finish), and “Renmen lajan amò” (Love cash to dying)—earned him a loyal following for his or her uncooked lyrics and storytelling.
In “Di mwen” (Inform me), Jean-Baptiste addressed the nation’s worsening insecurity. He referred to as out infamous armed gang leaders sowing terror throughout the nation urging peace and disarmament.
“Our biggest achievement with this group will not be the sum of money we introduced in, however our biggest success is that our music manages to the touch on the actual issues of our society,” Yslet added.
Although finest identified for his music, Jean-Baptiste additionally labored as a plumber, mason, welder, and ironworker. He started his research at Baptiste Béthanie Evangelical College and later earned a rhetoric diploma from Blaise Pascal School in Port-au-Prince.
Between 2011 and 2015, he recorded his most memorable hits—“Nèg yo pa vle wèm” and “Renmen lajan amò”—songs that proceed to echo by way of his neighborhood.
Followers keep in mind GBX’s voice and imaginative and prescient
As information of his dying unfold, followers from Anse-à-Foleur and past poured out tributes on-line.
“Gone in peace, artist, Anse-à-Foleur folks will always remember you,” wrote Sabrina Gaëlle Souffrant. “Your music will stay engraved within the reminiscence of Anse-à-Foleur folks and within the reminiscence of everybody. Your phrases had gold in them.”
To many, GBX was greater than an artist—he was a mirror for rural life in Haiti.
“As we speak I’m spending all day taking part in your music, my legend,” stated Jeff Wyde Eliazard. “I imagine that your soul is resting in peace, my buddy, at all times give me respect.”
For others, his legacy is already cemented.
“Your music is taking part in all over the place I’m going. You’ve already carried out your job, you’re immortal bro, fly excessive,” Edouar Evens wrote.
Jean-Baptiste’s funeral providers might be held Saturday, April 26, in Anse-à-Foleur.