Haitian hip hop

Rap Kreyòl started in Haiti in the early ‘80s by the Late Great Master Dji, who witnessed how American Hip Hop gave birth to French Hip Hop while living in France. Hence, he moved back to Haiti and started the Hip Hop movement that took Haiti by storm.^[1] Consequently, many of those kids which Hip Hop spoke to in their special language for the first time continue to rap in Haitian Creole even after being in the United States the most part of their lives. Artists like Oz'mosis and Bennchoumy still rap in Haitian Creole still today.^[2]

Often, hardcore beats are used while the artist raps in Haitian Creole. Rap kreyòl has been part of the Haitian culture since the early 1980s with groups such as Original Rap Staff, King Posee, Rap Kreyòl S.A., Masters of Haiti, Fighters, Blackdo, Fam-Squad, Supa Deno, Prince Berlin, and Muzion attaining prominence, but lately has become very popular with Haitian youth.^[3]

Another notable group from the 1990s is Black Leaders. The impact of Black Leaders and its members is lasting. Though known primarily for his role in Black Leaders, Don Roy is still an active contributor to Haitian music across many genres. Since the peak of his notoriety, Don Roy has chosen to create in other genres. While still working in a production capacity in genres such as Rap Kreyòl and Reggae, Don Roy has chosen to create and work with prominent artists of the modern roots/Rasin movement.^[4]

Many Haitian Rap Kreyòl artists have had rough childhoods and difficult living conditions producing rappers who address socio-economic topics in their lyrics.^[3] Though similar to mainstream American hip hop in that materialistic imagery is portrayed or lyricized, the negative aspects of less fortunate Haitian society, such as topics concerning slum life, gang warfare, the drug trade, and poverty, are much more. Influential Artists to Haiti’s Revolution

Negative stereotypes began to immerge in the 1980’s AIDS epidemic after the Haitian Revolution. Rappers such as KRS-One, Talia Keli, Chuck D, Wycliffe Jean, Joey Bada$$ have used hip-hop to educate audiences about the revolutions significance and critique the way the U.S handled it. The Revolution serves as a metaphor for resistance against white supremacy. Influences while might not be Haitian, still fights for activism, cultural preservation, and education by using hip hop as a medium to celebrate Haiti's history and ongoing struggles.^[5]

KRS-One: Advocated for teaching Haitian history, collaborated on projects like “Cry for Haiti” (2010) tha linked the revolution to modern Haitian struggles. Often critiqued U.S racism and economic exploitation of Haiti in his music. While not Haitian, he emphasized the historical importance of Haiti in Black freedom struggles.^[6]

Joey Bada$$: Integrates Haitian culture into his music, notably for his music video for “The Light” notably featuring a Vodou ceremony which underlines he connection between Haitian spirituality and empowerment.^[7]

Talib Kweli: Kweli has highlighted Haitian resilience and history, with his lyrics often critiquing foreign policy towards Haiti and challenges people to recognize Haiti’s revolutionary legacy.^[8]

Public Enemy (Chuck D): Worked on projects such as “Kombit pou Haiti“ 2010, and “This Bit of Earth”, as well as ”Fight the Power”, which had a recent remake in 2020 which had a resurgence of revolutionary imagery in response to movements like Black Lives Matter. His music served as a call to action against the systemic exploitation Haiti as faced.^[9]

Légendarie: A rap record by Imposs (Stanley Rimsky Salgado), Loud, White-B, Tizzo and Rymz, produced by Banx and Ranx at Joy Ride Records. The lyrics reflect Imposs’s realities and aspirations as first-generations Haitian Canadian.