Overview:
A lineup of musicians and media personalities gathered in Brooklyn to debate Konpa’s origins and influence as a method to mark Haitian Konpa Day, July 26.
BROOKLYN, NY — Lakòl made an enormous splash when its “Ole, Ole” Konpa music video appeared on MTV, sandwiched between Michael Jackson and Madonna hits. Because of the daring of a Haitian music marketer who occurred to work on the TV station on the time.
A future Phantoms frontman, when he was a teen taking part in music at church, needed to sneak out of his household’s fireplace escape to go play secretly with a djaz, Konpa band, in nightclubs.
Tabou Combo, whose formation predates the style itself, was as soon as acquired by European royalty throughout a Nineteen Seventies world tour that offered out high venues — after years of taking part in within the metropolis’s basements and golf equipment to solely a handful of individuals.
One composer’s automotive was stolen exterior one nightclub. One other classically educated musician was leaving a unique venue one night time when he was shot useless.
So went the combo of New York Metropolis-based eye-popping tales, titillating tidbits and pivotal factors that make up the lore — and lure — of Konpa, as recounted throughout the inaugural gathering to mark Haitian Konpa Day, July 26, within the Huge Apple. Over practically 4 hours at BRIC Arts | Media House additionally livestreamed on Chokarella, a gaggle of 10 musicians, media personalities and cultural advocates relayed these tales to mark the style’s evolution and influence over seven many years.
Amongst these featured on the 2 panels of the night explored the historical past and influence of Haiti’s most recognizable musical export on town and vice versa have been legendary performers Tabou Combo Yvon “Kapi” Andre and Phantoms frontman Pierre Raymond “King Kino” Divers; trade veterans akin to music marketer Cynthia Kahara, whose boldness landed Lakòl on MTV, and composer Fabrice Rouzier, who lately efficiently sued Jwé Dwèt Filé for copyright infringement; and cultural ambassador Dominique Dupuy, a former Minister of International Affairs, Religions and Haitians Dwelling Overseas who led the cost to have UNESCO acknowledge Konpa as an intangible cultural asset in 2025.
“New York teaches us an vital lesson,” Dupuy mentioned, citing the tales of adversity, grit and progress in Konpa’s evolution that befell round New York. “It teaches us essentially the most stunning components that signify us can occur even once we’re compelled to go away our house.
“Even when they’re persecuting us,” Dupuy continued, “When they’re holding us from residing at house and they’re chasing us wherever we go searching for asylum, we have now a proper to hunt pleasure, to rejoice who we’re. That’s Konpa.”
New York Metropolis formally designated July 26 as Haitian Konpa Day when it adopted Resolution 0987, launched by Council Member Rita C. Joseph, to honor the style’s cultural significance whereas supporting its continued progress. Organizers of ‘Konpa Se Nou’ mentioned the initiative goals to raise Haitian tradition, strengthen group satisfaction and protect Konpa for future generations.
All through the night, audio system highlighted the contributions of behind-the-scenes figures who helped carry Konpa past Haiti’s borders and into the worldwide diaspora. Additionally they mirrored on how the style has developed musically — each 10 years, in keeping with Rouzier — and citing quite a few artists and bands spanning a number of generations, the connection between Konpa and Haiti’s political historical past throughout the Duvalier period and even which metropolis is the capital of Konpa.
Among the many night’s liveliest exchanges was a pleasant debate between Rouzier and Philippe “Pipo” Saint Louis, a musician, photographer and entrepreneur, over which period represented Konpa’s golden age. Because the dialog moved from the style’s early influences to its industrial peak within the Nineteen Eighties and the mini djaz period, Divers additionally regaled the viewers with tales of his exploits in forming the band, akin to sneaking out of his house and making up polemics in cahoots with Zin to attract out crowds.
The occasion echoed themes explored in final yr’s seventieth anniversary retrospective on Konpa by The Haitian Occasions that underscored the style’s enduring affect and the continued effort to protect its legacy. A Spotify playlist of Konpa via the years follows.