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Haitian communities worldwide are reeling following studies Haitian musician Michael “Mikaben” Benjamin died after collapsing on stage instantly after a efficiency with fashionable Haitian band, Carimi, throughout an Oct. 15 anniversary reunion efficiency in Paris.
Benjamin, who was affectionately generally known as “Mika,” was 41 years previous. Amongst these mourning him are his pregnant spouse Vanessa Fanfan, whom he had stated is because of ship their little one in December 2022, and his father Lionel “Père Noël” Benjamin, additionally a musician, generally known as the “Haitian Santa Claus” for his fashionable Christmas tune, Abdenwèl.
The reason for demise has but to be verified, although studies say the youthful Benjamin died from cardiac arrest.
“He was a musical genius and that’s what we simply misplaced,” stated Alex Abellard, the maestro of Zin, the Brooklyn-based band that was one of many founders of the New Era Konpa within the late Eighties.
“His writing was very authentic,” Abellard stated. “Simply think about not having that anymore in a rustic that’s lacking a lot now. That’s a giant loss for our tradition globally.”
Benjamin’s musical profession spanned greater than 20 years, after he rose to fame in Haiti and overseas within the early 2000s with main hits like “Ou Pati” and fashionable collaborations with fellow Haitian Music Trade (HMI) stars like Carimi, Alan Cave and DJ Michael Brun. His vary of abilities got here in full show after Konpa Kreyol, a preferred band, break up into two teams — Kreyol La and Krezi Mizik — and the latter recruited Benjamin to be its lead singer.
Benjamin’s vocal vary made Krezi a tour de power within the Haitian Music Trade. He sang melodies and will captivate a carnival viewers, shifting throngs of revelers from proper to left as they waved their bandanas in close to delirium.
Abellard stated he remembered Zin touring with Benjamin in Martinique and Guadeloupe. His persona was magnetic, followers adored him and he in flip, took the time to work together with the followers.
“It simply crushes me. It crushes me,” stated Abellard late Saturday, his voice croaking. “Mikaben was some of the numerous artists that we had. He performed all genres. He wasn’t caught to the Haitian tradition. He would deliver no matter shade he would get everywhere in the world. He was an orgianial . We misplaced a really gifted artist, a really gifted producer. He labored with all people.”
Benjamin is the son of Lionel Benjamin, affectionately generally known as the “Haitian Santa Claus” for his fashionable Christmas tune, Abdenwèl. The elder Benjamin advised The Haitian Occasions final yr that Michael relished music from a younger age and loved watching him rehearse.
Benjamin and Fanfan married in November 2020 and had a daughter one yr later. In keeping with his Instagram posts, the pair was anticipating their second little one in December 2022.
In his last tweet, in French, Benjamin wished his ‘older brothers’ Carimi good luck on the Paris live performance and thanked the band for opening doorways for musicians like him who got here after the trio.
‘Bonne likelihood a mes grands frères pour ce soir ! Merci d’avoir ouvert la voie pour nous autres qui vous suivons! Nous vous aimons! Haiti vous aime beaucoup! Que l’amour et la lumière vous accompagnent durant le live performance ou des milliers de followers seront en Harmonie parfaite avec vous’
Reactions to Mikaben’s demise
On social media, Haitian celebrities and followers alike, shocked by movies of Benjamin’s final moments on stage, started sending condolences and sharing how the youthful man’s music impacted their lives and represented Haitian tradition.