Overview:
Haitian singer Joseph Dieudonné Larose died Jan. 9 on the age of 80 in Laval, Quebec, from prostate and lung diseases. Along with his distinctive voice and storytelling expertise, Larose helped form fashionable konpa whereas performing with iconic bands corresponding to Shoogar Combo and DP Categorical.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haiti’s musical communities and followers of konpa had been in deep mourning Friday on the information that singer Joseph Dieudonné Larose died on Friday, in Canada, the place he had been dwelling.
Larose, identified for his signature voice, leaves behind a legacy of music that spans 40 years and 20 albums whereas performing with a number of djaz, konpa bands. Followers and artists, lots of whom type a close-knit group of konpa aficionados, took to social media to pay their respects and have fun his musical contributions to Haitian tradition and their childhoods.
“You’re leaving this ‘unusual’ world, as you so usually known as it, to stroll towards the sunshine,” wrote Patrice Rouzier, the famend musician from the band Mizik Mizik, on Fb.
Making a play on the artist’s identify, which implies “the rose” in French, Rouzier added, “Thanks for every thing you shared. Relaxation in peace. Could God provide the rose!”
Echoing the disappointment, Mikel-Ange Aristide, of Port-de-Paix, stated, “I’m not prepared to simply accept the information of your loss of life, my favourite artist whose music I’ve been listening to on the radio for over 35 years.”
Rising up in a era of konpa greats
Born on June 5, 1945, in Cabaret, a city about 15 miles from Port-au-Prince, Larose belonged to the founding era of artists who helped form Haitian well-liked music.
His distinctive voice and expertise for storytelling rapidly drew him to konpa, created simply 10 years after his delivery. Over the many years, Larose turned a serious determine in konpa dirèk, in an period the place creative self-discipline known as for meticulousness.
Larose carried out with a number of bands earlier than embarking on a solo profession. He was most related to Shoogar Combo, DP Categorical and Missile 727.
Over his profession, he recorded greater than 20 albums, exploring the common themes of affection, ache, hope and social realities via his lyrics. Hits corresponding to Aksidan, Mandela, Jolie Minou and different classics got here out of his initiatives, leaving messages and rhythms that followers proceed to take pleasure in and that artists nonetheless cowl at the moment.
A legacy to final for generations extra
Along with his loss of life, Haiti loses a historic voice, however retains a wealthy and vibrant musical reminiscence that followers say will proceed to encourage different generations.
The French Embassy in Haiti, in a statement providing condolences, expressed deep disappointment on the passing of the Haitian artist Dieudonné Larose.
“An inimitable voice and a serene charisma, he marked Haitian music with a wealthy and provoking profession, leaving a long-lasting impression on a number of generations of music lovers,” the embassy stated in a press release.
Louco Désir, one in every of a number of music hosts who confirmed Larose’s passing, paid tribute to Larose for skills past singing.
“Larose was a type of artists who managed his picture till the very finish, as a result of nobody would have guessed his age,” stated Désir, primarily based from Port-au-Prince. “I do know this information will sadden many, however as an alternative of mourning Larose, let’s have fun him.”
“Dieudonné Larose, you weren’t simply an artist, you had been a price, a voice, a legacy,” singer Joseph Joubite, higher often called “K-dilak,” wrote on Fb.
“Your music, your message and your impression won’t ever die. My honest condolences to the household, family members, and everybody who grew up together with your artwork.”