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Konpa Kreyol: Climbing the Stairs of Success

T-Vice: Bad Boy Lovers Still on Top

Wyclef Jean: Masquerade

Black Parents: Vini'm Pale w, Cheri...

Ti Kabzy: Gwo Konpa

Howard Haitian Student Association

Edwidge Danticat: the butterfly's way

Carimi website

Carimi:
Keeping the Konpa
Flame Going

It may not have rained for forty days and forty nights, but many in the Washington area were getting ready to build some arks. Fortunately, Ceepco records, which this year has brought a great mixture of great bals, brought us a night of sunshine in the form of Carimi. For those worried about the future of konpa, fear none, Carimi is keeping the konpa groove steady, kite konpa a mache. As the sun sets on many older Haitian bands, a new generation of konpa players is emerging onto the scene. Naturally, many of those from the previous generations are worried about the state of the music scene. Make no mistake; if it’s in Carimi’s hands, konpa is in good hands.

Carimi is composed of just five young men, sink flannè, but primarily, CArlo Vieux, RIchard Cavé, and MIckael.Guirand. They literally started with a bang back in 2001. The group’s first album “bang, bang.” contained the smash hit “Ayiti (bang bang),” a song with an unexpected commentary on the state of Haiti today. That song put them on the map and brought them international recognition. Carimi has traveled and played to full venues all over the world, from Dominica to Paris.

At The Setting Nightclub, in Adelphi Maryland, the band wasted no time getting everyone on his or her feet and on the dance floor. The young couples dancing close in front of the stage reflected the band’s popularity with today’s generation. The crowd, mainly young and energetic, didn’t mind the eleven o’clock start time and continued to party until early morning.

For one night, Carimi came and conquered the DC area as soon as they sang, “ou pati kite mwen.” Like many of the young bands of this generation, they are paving their own path for success. They are redefining konpa and adding new influences to the rhythm. Only with time will we tell the outcome of konpa, but today Carimi is making a strong case that the konpa rhythm is doing very well in their hands.

© EchodHaiti.com, 06/2001