Overview:
Haitian slam continues to outlive and adapt, like many different creative developments, in a Haiti ravaged by gang violence for a number of years, because of slam poets who proceed to write down, compose, and produce studio recordings.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haitian slam poetry continues to outlive and adapt like many different creative actions in a Haiti ravaged by gang violence for a number of years now. Slam poetry could not maintain the identical popular culture notoriety as different artwork types nevertheless it performs an important position in denouncing insecurity, social injustice, and the violation of human rights in Haiti. Many Haitian slammers, each inside and outdoors the nation, proceed the mission of slam as a type of protest
“I’m a melancholic slammer who will not be afraid to share my tribulations and to interact within the combat for the well-being of all,” says Marc Nicolson “NLM” Ricot, summarizing the core goal of slam. “In slam, I see myself extra as a fighter, somebody with a mission, relatively than simply an artist.”
Certainly, slam in Haiti is a hymn to topics corresponding to love, societal morals, and the experiences of the Haitian individuals, who wrestle to steer an honest life within the twenty first century. It additionally serves as a name to Haitian state leaders to enhance dwelling circumstances for everybody within the nation. In demos, mixtapes, and albums, slammers at all times make house for these urgent subjects, with out forgetting the summary aspect of poetry and providing a perspective on what is occurring world wide with imperialist nations.
Through the turbulent years the nation confronted when 1000’s of individuals had been killed and lots of others displaced as a consequence of gang violence, Haitian slammers didn’t cease writing, composing or coming into the studio to file their voices over beats and musical instrumentals.
These ten Haitian slam artists, dwelling in Haiti in addition to overseas, are in a position to so vividly specific themselves and hold true to slam’s disruptive roots, under is a component 1 of two.
Jouinie Angélica Michel, 2025 Nationwide Slam Champion, generally known as “Angelle l’Authentique”
To essentially get to know Jouinie Angélica Michel generally known as Angelle l’Authentique, a slam artist with an enriching slam playlist, may take some time as her repertoire is as wealthy as it’s huge. Angelle l’Authentique was the primary girl slam poet to win the title of Nationwide Slam Champion within the 4th version of the Nationwide Slam Competitors. She is going to characterize Haiti in three worldwide competitions in 2025: the Slam World Cup in France, the Copa América Slam, and the Golden Poet Africa.
Born within the south of Haiti earlier than transferring to Port-au-Prince, the award-winning artist gained public recognition in 2021 along with her first challenge titled “La vie en enfer.” She was a finalist within the “Haïti Jeunes Abilities” competitors in 2019 and the winner of the Public Alternative Award on the Slam Awards Worldwide 2023.
Angelle l’Authentique has several titles in her repertoire, corresponding to “Dousè lanfè,” “Timoun 2000,” Lèw Manyenm, and the demo “Une minute de slam,” which incorporates 4 tracks launched in October 2022. Angelle l’Authentique is at the moment within the studio engaged on her upcoming EP titled “Antagonisme,” set to be launched subsequent 12 months. She will not be solely keen about poetry however can be a hairstylist, make-up artist, scholar of communication and public relations, and the CEO of BruCah’s Make-up College of Magnificence.
Marc Nicolson Ricot, recognized by his artist identify “NLM”
Born in Port-au-Prince, Ricot Marc Nicolson, generally known as NLM, found his ardour for Haitian slam in 2013. He started attending the Centre Culturel Bibliothèque Araka in Port-au-Prince and the Centre Culturel et de Recherche pour l’Épanouissement de la Jeunesse (CECREJ) in Carrefour, the place his journey in slam poetry took form. Through his work, NLM channels his struggles and tribulations, utilizing slam as a robust medium of self-expression. His poetry additionally advocates for social change, highlighting Haiti’s class struggles and championing equitable entry to well-being for all.
“Slam is greater than a pattern; it’s a refuge for me, the place I expertise freedom and provides form to my feelings,” says NLM.
Since 2014, NLM has produced three slam initiatives. In 2021, he launched a demo with 4 tracks titled “Relè a”, collaborating with just a few different slammers who hadn’t but had studio productions. The identical 12 months, the artist launched his first solo challenge, a mixtape below the label “Konsa l Vini”, which gained the Slam Mission of the Yr award. In 2023, he launched his second solo challenge, a double album titled “Konstelasyon,” that includes a number of glorious slammers.
Jean Joseph Makanaki Audain, dwelling in Chile, however singing Haiti
Born on the island of Gonâve in Haiti, Makanaky Adn found his ardour for poetry on the age of 15. He selected slam in 2015 as a option to specific himself and play with figures of speech. That very same 12 months, he produced a number of tracks within the studio. As a slammer, he turned a member of the Slam Collective Les Artistes Solidaires for the Promotion of Intellectuality by Tradition in Haiti (ASPIC). In 2016, Makanaky Adn left Haiti and moved to Chile, the place he has lived ever since. Despite the brand new chapter, he remained dedicated to slam. In Chile, he joined a number of literary teams corresponding to Agrupación Cultural Putaendo Histórico, Slam Chile, Abya Yala Poetry Slam, Eritaj, and Bohio Ediciones, collaborating in varied poetic occasions in each Chile and Brazil.
In 2018, he revealed his first poetry assortment, “Ave Negra Migratoria/ Zwazo Nwa Migratè”, in Creole, Spanish, and French. A revised Spanish-only version was launched in 2019. Later that 12 months, he revealed “En Amor Arte” (Lanmou Atizay), a Spanish poetry assortment with a small Spanish/Creole dictionary on interculturality and his life within the Aconcagua Valley. In 2021, he launched “Liberasyon Emotional,” a musical challenge primarily based on his first assortment, obtainable on streaming platforms and vinyl.
Ketchna Septama, generally known as “Kech,” is a multi-talented artist
Younger, passionate, and promising, Kech, a 21-year-old slammer, stands out among the many ladies who’ve made an impression on the slam scene in Haiti. Her alternative of phrases, poetic fashion, and private experiences as a sufferer of violence, having fled her residence throughout a gang assault, have formed her poetry, which condemns, denounces, and requires higher days for probably the most weak.
In 2019, she entered the world of slam in Haiti after collaborating within the radio present Slamoral. After a number of collaborations, she launched her first solo slam monitor, “Memwa yon trepase,” in 2024, impressed by the phobia she and her household endured whereas escaping from gangs. This piece immerses the listener within the pure hell of gang perpetrated violence and displacement. “I need my texts to make those that hearken to me perceive that I share their feelings and that they aren’t alone,” says Kech.
Along with slam, she is an actress and helps these struggling to reside off their artwork alone. Though no date has been set, Kech plans to launch an EP that includes a number of slam tracks.
Youven Beaubrun, higher recognized by his stage identify “Beven,”
Beven is a younger author and creator of two novels, “Elle” and “Au kalfou du Destin,” revealed by Milot-Varella Editions in France. Enthusiastic about literature, poetry, and artwork, he’s additionally a slammer, music composer, and writing workshop facilitator.
Champion of slam poetry in Haiti, Beven had the chance to characterize the nation at a number of worldwide competitions, together with the World Poetry Slam Championship in Brussels in September 2022, turning into Haiti’s first consultant on this competitors. He additionally certified for the eleventh version of the World Inter-College Slam Cup, which passed off in Gabon in Might 2024, in addition to for the Copa América de Slam, a contest involving 16 nations from the Americas in June 2024.
Beven has a number of slam items in his repertoire, together with “Négritude,” “Un monde immonde,” “Flamme des femmes,” and “Educ’Motion.” These works tackle subjects corresponding to colonization, ladies’s rights, entry to high quality schooling, and a name for younger individuals to not abandon their desires.