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What first got you into music? 

Music honestly saved my life. We all have a story and mine is that I don’t come from a musically inclined family, which makes me the first to ever do it! Growing up, the cultural influences of my native island, Haiti, played a significant role in sparking my interest in music. One of my favorite genres of music, Konpa, which has elements of traditional Haitian meringue, influences from jazz, funk, and latin music is a big part of that. Growing up, my family often played artists like Sweet Micky, T Vice , Carimi , Alan Cave, Zenglen, Nulook, and others that consistently influence me to this day. The vibrant rhythms, melodies, and unique instruments of Haitian music had and continues to have a powerful impact on igniting my passion for music. 

What is the story behind your latest single, “KREMAS” 

Kremas is a homemade traditional liqueur made of Barbancourt, and when I drink Kremas it’s so nostalgic to me. The marriage between coconut milk, Barbarncourt and Haitian spices literally dance in my mouth. The taste of Kremas is unforgettable just like the island of Haiti. 

Because of the nostalgic feeling, Kremas is a love letter to Haiti as well as a love letter to a former lover. “I wanna be where you are,” the main hook of the song is a double entendres of the distance between not only my former lover, but also my island. I feel like I forced this guy to make a decision too soon, gave him an ultimatum, and now I miss him and I’m longing for him to be right next to me; constantly thinking about the times that we had and daydreaming, the same way I daydream about Kremas. It’s truly a connecting piece on the EP and I can’t wait for you all to see how it unfolds. 

Has anyone inspired you to make music? Who are your inspirations? 

I’ve had a few inspirations such as Beyonce, Shakira, Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Adele, but I have to start off with Wyclef Jean. Wyclef is not only a musical Grammy award winning genius from Haiti, but his philanthropic efforts, passion and activism means everything to me. Wyclef’s seamless fusion of reggae , hip-hop, R&B and Haitian music is exquisite. He truly is the embodiment of the phrase “hometown hero”. My goal is to continue pushing the envelope of Reggae Fusion. His music and advocacy has had a significant impact on promoting Haitian culture and raising awareness of relevant social issues. 

 What is your creative process like? For songwriting, recording, etc? 

My process is quite simple. I get to the studio fully rested and vocally warmed up, I think that’s really important. I don’t need much time to catch a vibe or anything. I’m typically focused and I like to get in and get out. My team and I usually have most of the framework and direction planned prior to recording which makes it a seamless process. 

 Do your Haitian roots play any role in your music-making process? 

Absolutely! As a Haitian recording artist it is almost inevitable to represent the culture, the language, and stylistic choices etc. Being Haitian runs deep! It’s truly my identity. I think it’s very important as an emerging artist (or as an artist period) to stay true to yourself. Keeping it original is how you’ll stand out. My upcoming EP, for example, has a lot of Haitian colloquialisms, delicacies, dance moves, and onomatopoeia that are highlighted to really bring the culture to life. 

What impact do you hope to make with your music? 

I want to remind Haitians that they are loved in our current time of pain. We are special, just like a bottle of Kremas. We aren’t just any nation but the pearl of the Caribbean and the living proof of resilience! I also hope to inspire young artists and let them know that you can follow your dreams no matter where you come from and no matter what adversity you may face . Lastly, I think it is important for anyone in the diaspora to understand how powerful of a voice we really have. I think it’s beautiful that people are learning about Haiti through a positive and artistic lens and I love that I get to assist in controlling the narrative, I’m proud of that. As Haiti continues to be misrepresented in the media, it’s exciting that I now get the opportunity to offer the world a better and more accurate view of Haiti through my music. It is my goal to influence positive and social change, particularly in my native island of Haiti.

Photographer Credit: Desean Black: https://www.instagram.com/deseanblack_official/?hl=en