Great music in Haiti is political. Few successful
musicians make music for the sake of music. They are bound to produce something
meaningful to the society, seeking its upliftment through their beats and words.
The best musicians do this with style and flare. The worst ones mimic what they
think is expected of them.
Kanaval is that time of year when invited
musicians take to Chan Mars (the streets) to display their talents. The crowd
gathers to hear which band said what, how, when and with which instruments. We
want to hear the different accents, new vocabulary and the ways politicians and
their exploits are exposed. Watching the news can be boring, but listening to
Kanaval songs will make you sit up and listen.
Because music is political in Haiti, not
all bands are invited to participate in Kanaval. The ban alone leads to some of
the best songs ever written on exclusion, freedom of speech, abuse of power and
fear of musicians.
But I do believe some bands should not be
allowed to participate in Kanaval. As I mentioned, Kanaval is time for the
voiceless to hear their aspirations, ideas, dreams for a better Haiti
articulated through song and dance. Kanaval is that time when the koudjay (not
the band, but the verb) of the “ti neg” is celebrated. And when the people, and
the musicians that represent them, fuse on the streets.
But not all musicians can pull this off. Not
all musicians can speak for the people. Some songs celebrate the band’s ego and
criticize their competitors and warn them that “nou la, nap toujou la,” and
that is great on its own. Some musicians however, knowing that they must go
beyond stroking their egos, sing the “good” words because they know what is
expected, but not because they believe in the messages. I cannot believe that
some mulatto bands (they know who they are) want an end to the violence in
Haiti. The mixed race and small white and Lebanese elite operate on a “Ayiti
kraze” and their class/race in Haiti are only possible if the violence, which
they support/protect, continues and thrives. I cannot believe that those
musicians are anti politicians exploiting the nation and its people, unless
those politicians are anti their class/race. I don’t believe they are tired of the
violence; but they know we are.
I don’t know any of those bands personally,
but I know the class/race they represent. They have not been silent on their position
either; hence why so many Haitians have a love/hate relationship with one
particular band. I think some of their regular Konpa songs are good, but when I
think of what they represent in Haiti and how their group will only thrive at
the benefit of “pitite Soyet” I cannot but think of their Kanaval songs as
mocking the Haitian people.
But there is a lesson to be learned in
their Kanaval songs and some of the music was good, (instruments, mixing
different genres of Haitian music, tempo, etc) especially in 2006. But I think
Kanaval should remain sacred and some bands should not be allowed to make a
mockery of our hopes, aspirations, and dreams for a better Haiti; especially
when they know that Haiti cannot exist if they persist.