A conversation with BelO

                                    by Tequila Minsky, Heritagekonpa Magazine

Haitian singer/songwriter BelO just left the U.S. after an intense 13-day visit. BelO is reminiscent of a mix of two social message singers of the 60s-a young Richie Havens and Bob Dylan. When BelO was asked whether his music or lyrics are more important, he replied, "It's equal. My lyrics (and message) are as important as my music."

BELO signing CDs for the fans ( Reletaed Link: BELO: A Haitian Star On The Rise

During this intense trip, he performed seven times, five times in Manhattan, and also in an intimate music/restaurant on Long Island, and at a pre-Inaugural event in Washington DC. Heritagekonpa spoke with him during his visit.

Exactly what do you call your music? Caribbean world music and "ragganaga". It's a mix of reggae, traditional Haitian music, rara, and jazz. The word ragganaga come from a mix of reggae and nanga (acoustic and folk).

You wouldn't call this folk/pop? No, this music comes from my roots, from Haitian traditional, vodou and rara.

Why don't you play compas? What influenced you? My musical influences are outside of the compas world. I love Bob Marley. In 1990, I heard Boukman Eksperyans, a new style of music--vodou with rock flavors. I wanted to do something different. Compas isn't the right music for the message I want to give. Compas isn't the best style for that; compas is dance music

There are messages of my music--peace, unity, and children on the streets. Lakou Trankil is about a peaceful yard. I hope to see my country in peace.

What is more important, your music or your lyrics? It's equal, my music and my lyrics.

What influences your subjects? What I sing is what I live everyday. When I sing for the children on the street I see them and it hurts me. Timoun Yo is dedicated to children with special attention to the children on the street. All of my songs, I talk about children.

Who were your Haitian musical influences? Mostly Bethova Obas who also has social messages and won the Radio France International contest in 1988. Boulo Valcourt has vision and writes with images (but) the content is not the same.

And Manno Charlemagne? Yes, and Manno Charlemagne. **

What makes your music different? No Haitian before me has mixed these different styles together. (Among which are jazz, rock, zouk, reggae and Afro-Haitian traditional rhythms.)

What international musician do you really like? Tracey Chapman. (At Moomia, in English Belo sang Chapman's Talkin' bout a revolution.)

Do you make your living as a musician?

I make my living as a musician; it is not easy.  I play all over the countryside. I've played a village between Cape Haitien and Labadee.  I've played La Gonave.

Following four performances in Manhattan (W.15^th St art gallery, SOBs, Moomia and the APAP conference), Steve Azor organized a gig at the restaurant/music club on L.I., Mixed Notes.  The evening was called Ayiti DeplogeÐHaiti Unplugged.  Belo was the host of the evening, which was filmed and will appear on youtube.com.   The club was filled to capacity, over 150, standing room only with a more mature audience (ages 40-60) than the teenagers who come out for him in Haiti or young audience at SOBs.  

How was the performance at Mixed Notes?

The reception was very good. They're tired of compas and "bal" (dancing). They want to have something to go and sit down and listen.  Obed and the young saxophonist Rogerst Charles and 4L4 also performed. It was an intimate club and the audience was part of the showÐit was being filmed and they were in it, too.  (Belo also hosts these kinds of performances in clubs and cafes in Haiti, which are also filmed and put up on youtube.com.)

How did the Washington DC performance go?

I was invited to play for a benefit concert for Batonga Foundation, an organization started by Angelique Kidio, a singer/songwriter from Benin and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The name organization supports secondary and higher education for girls in Africa, especially so they can take the lead in changing Africa. *

I sang in kreyol.  The audience was mixed and so many Africans from so many countries; everybody was speaking English. 

Did they understand the lyrics?

Before   each song, I said a little bit what the song was about.

The reception (from them) was total. I sang three songs. The first was about the boat people.  The second, Lakou Trankil, I asked them to sing with me (I taught them some words and they sang).  After the show, they came to me and congratulated me and they bought my CDs. I signed at least 50.

 Les Nubians were the featured musicians.  I got to know them from a music tour.

It was an exciting time to be in Washington, inaugural weekend. Did you see any of it?

To be honest, we drove there, played the concert, stayed overnight and drove back.  DC was packed. It took 6-7 hours to get back. Then we came (straight) here, to SOBs. (Belo performed at the Jamrock Magazine gig at SOBs on Monday night--the night before he was leaving.)

How are your CDs doing?

My first album  (Lakou Trankil) is doing better in Haiti. My second one (Reference) is doing better internationally. Soley Sounds recorded my first album. We produced the second one ourself (executive produced by Charlot Murat for Natiprod, available on CDbaby).

Since that first CD in 2005, things have really changed musically in Haiti.  So many are singing with an acoustic guitar, all kinds that are not compas-reggae, folk, soul, R&B. So many, I cannot count.

Two years ago, the "Digital Stars" song context was held. They auditioned going around to all the provinces.  The success I had with my album let the youth understand they could come up with something new and they could have success.

The first year's winner (2007) was Rosemond Jolisant from Cape Haitien. He played an acoustic guitar and sang.  He sang a lot of my songs.  The second year's winner was Sebastian Pierre from Petionville. He didn't play, only sang and also sang my songs. He has a very good voice.  Both are 14 years old.  The contest takes place from March through August. 

They're singing your songs in these competitions--how do feel about others singing your songs?

(With a big smile on his face,) I am happy!

What do you think about the situation in Haiti?

In Haiti we have all the resources; the problem is distribution.  Some people have everything; some people have nothing. That's why I ask people to put our heads together. We can have a better situation. 

Why are people like that?  I think maybe itÕs selfishness.

Is it that they're not educated?

So many are well off; so many educated are selfish.

What is your hope?

I'm dreaming of changing Haiti; I'm dreaming of changing the world.  The best way is to share the idea.  I see the pain in a different way from so many people; not everyone sees it like me.

It's really useful to share my vision of life with other people.  If I don't do that then I become selfish.

*  At the DC concert, also, performing: Angelique Kidjo; the modern and Afro-fusion Washington-based Lesole's Dance Project and Batala, an all- women Afro-Brazilian samba-reggae percussion group based in Washington. African Diaspora for Change hosted the evening in partnership with Africa Aspire.  The organization Batonga grants scholarships, builds secondary schools, increases enrollment, improves teaching standards, provides school supplies, supports mentor programs, explores alternative education models and advocates for community awareness of the value of education for girls.  All concert proceeds went to the organization.

**In the 90s, Manno was a strong musical presence as balladeer and voice social conscience in Haiti.