Overview:
Michael Brun’s BAYO turned Barclays Heart right into a showcase of Haitian music and tradition, that includes performances from high Haitian artists and a shock look by New York Metropolis mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, who pledged help for Haitian New Yorkers.
“BAYO is world tradition via the lens of Haiti,” Michael Brun informed a cheering Barclays Heart viewers on June 28.
The Port-au-Prince-born EDM producer assembled a lineup of Haitian artists and dancers for a high-energy live performance celebrating the vibrancy of the Haitian diaspora in Brooklyn.
Anie Alerte and Zili opened the night with a spirited konpa set. Paul Beaubrun adopted with an iconic second—taking part in the Haitian nationwide anthem on electrical guitar as hundreds within the enviornment stood, sang and waved flags.
Brun’s first musical collaboration of the night time was with Riva Precil, who delivered a soulful, roots-inflected medley. Fatima Altieri adopted with a efficiency of “Hey,” the lead single from Brun’s current album Pwoteje M. The power shifted as Anthony Ramos introduced a Puerto Rican aptitude, opening his set with the reggaeton anthem “Gasolina.” Later, DJs K9, Bullet and Ted Bounce took over the sales space, giving Brun house to affix animators Chiwawa and Pdous in partaking the gang.
J. Perry, whose actual identify is Jonathan Perry, later joined Beaubrun and carried out a medley with Shabba from Djakout Mizik that included “Haiti Cherie.”
Different artists showing all through the night time included Toby Anbake, Bother Boy, Kenny Haiti, Shirazee, Naïka, Carlo Vieux, Roberto Martino, Tony Combine, Arly Larivière, Rutshelle Guillaume and J. Ballin. A troupe of dancers stored the power going within the interludes, whereas pictures of Haiti flashed on the jumbo display screen.
Brun and his sister Gabriella carried out “Ayiti Se,” dedicating the Mikaben tune to their late mom, Sharon, and to Mikaben himself.
New York Metropolis mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani additionally made an look, standing alongside Brun as he addressed the gang. “When elected, I’m going to battle to get Haiti off the journey ban. We’re going to arise for Haiti since you taught the world about freedom,” Mamdani mentioned, to sustained applause.
BAYO’s roots hint again to Haiti, the place Brun and fellow artists, together with J. Perry and DJ Walshy Fireplace, turned a spontaneous avenue gathering—illuminated by automobile headlights—into an evening of music that drew a crowd.
In an interview with, Afropop.org about BAYO’s origins, Brun recalled being in Jacmel with a number of artists, together with J. Perry and DJ Walshy Fireplace.
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“One night time we began taking part in music and thought, ‘You understand what? Let’s take it to the road proper in entrance of this restaurant in Jacmel,’” Brun mentioned. “Any person’s automobile was there, so we turned on the headlights, introduced out a speaker and began taking part in. Artists started freestyling, I used to be deciding on songs, and a crowd simply naturally got here collectively. That was actually the primary model of BAYO.”
What started as impromptu avenue events has since developed into a worldwide tour that’s included New York Metropolis stops at Central Park’s SummerStage in 2023 and Hudson Yards in 2022, drawing hundreds of followers every time.
Brun, who started his profession mixing digital music with Haitian genres like konpa and rara, has earned international recognition. His 2019 album, Lokal, featured collaborations with Haitian and worldwide artists, serving to to solidify his fame as a producer who bridges cultures. He has additionally labored with J Balvin on “Positivo,” the 2018 FIFA World Cup theme for Telemundo, and carried out with Arcade Fireplace and Diplo.
The night concluded with Haiti Troubadour performing alongside Brun’s father, Patrick Brun. Because the live performance ended, a rara band paraded via the concourse and onto Flatbush Avenue, main a whole lot of followers into the summer time night time earlier than dispersing close to Empire Boulevard.