Konpa no longer belongs to Haitians | Perspective

Konpa may have originated in Haiti, but now this music belongs to the world. And UNESCO must recognize this fact

I was intrigued to hear « I Need You » by Alan Cavé on March 24, 2023 as I entered the gymnasium at the Université Sainte-Anne, Canada.

Until then, I had not met a single Haitian in all of Nova Scotia, the province where the university is located.

So, I wondered who in this cold host country was warming up to this almost languid rhythm by Alan Cavé, so beloved by Haitian music fans.

« Are you Haitian, dear sir? » I asked.
« No, I’m from Cameroon. Why do you ask? »

I should have known better. The man, cut like an athlete from the time of the gladiators, looked like me. Less by his muscles, which were too visible, than by his complexion. But I was proud. Very proud.

« To be honest, I don’t remember the name of this artist or his nationality, but I like this song and I listen to it quite often, » he added.

So I wondered who in this cold host country was warming up to this almost languid rhythm by Alan Cavé, so beloved by Haitian music fans.

From then on, it was my duty to educate my dear friend. He had to learn about Alan Cavé’s journey. Listen, and dance to « Please baby ». Master the twists and turns of Haiti’s national music.

I also came away edified from this exchange. I am now convinced: Konpa may have originated in Haiti, but now this music belongs to the world. And the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) must recognize this fact.

In addition to Alan Cavé, who seduces people around the world with his musical works, other musicians have already broken national boundaries.

Konpa musicians liven up the cars, living rooms and bedrooms of music lovers all over the world on a daily basis. Often, without them knowing.

Guadeloupean star Tanya St-Val has confessed that she was raised by Magnum Band hits as a child.

An unconditional fan of Carimi, the Congolese-born rapper Youssoupha declared on his twitter account an open truth:

« Frankly, the most beautiful song in the history of human civilization in the universe is ‘Sé Pa Pou Dat’ by Alan Cavé. That’s it. »

Konpa musicians liven up the cars, living rooms and bedrooms of music lovers all over the world on a daily basis. Often, without them knowing.

In 2017, Miguel Octave and Fabrice Paimba directed « Martinique, the second homeland of Konpa? », a musico-societal documentary, which describes the affinities between Konpa and the West Indians.

Konpa has gone international, literally.

Other nations are seizing it.

Adapting it.

Making it a local music.

Haiti is no longer Konpa’s only homeland.

When Tabou Combo performs in Luxembourg, Denmark, Holland, Morocco, and Japan, to name but a few, music lovers dance to Konpa as they would to their music. It’s as if the musicians of Tabou were singing in their own languages.

Culture knows no boundaries!

When Coupé Cloué received a royal ovation in Côte d’Ivoire where he was paid official tributes; then in Senegal where the President of the Republic felt flattered to take the stage to greet the King, the native of Léogane felt like he was in Haiti. In these and many other countries, the crowd that sang and danced « Miyan Miyan, Andèrdan and Fanm Koloken was no different from that of Le Lambie » in Carrefour, who adored Coupé.

In the same vein, when Magnum Band put on an incredible show at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, USA in 1996, thanks to the efforts of the band’s American fans, the atmosphere in this room was no different from that which Dadou and his band are used to creating in the halls of Pétion-Ville.

In this sense, I affirm that it is music lovers who determine the homeland of Konpa. And while most of the musicians in this genre were born and raised in Haiti and live in Haitian communities, they belong to the world!

The man, the founder, Nemours Jean-Baptiste, had anticipated this. In his song entitled « Rit Komèsyal » released in 1960, we hear: « Konpa dirèk komèsyal, se sa k rann li orijinal ». Then, in the song « N ap Voye Ba Yo » released a year later, in 1961, we hear: « Yo fè yo voye ban nou, Ann nou fè voye ba yo tou. »

For Nemours Jean-Baptiste, an exchange must be established between Haiti and the music of the rest of the world. We listen. They listen to us too.

In fact, Konpa is now produced outside of Haiti’s borders — by musicians who have sometimes never set foot in the Caribbean.

I’ll say it again, Konpa no longer belongs to Haitians! With or without UNESCO recognition.

By Nazaire Joinville

Cover image edited by AyiboPost featuring Haitian compas singers.

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