Epilogue: There’s nothing like a targeted Haitian music playlist to get your mind going….
The only upside about misfortunes and tragedies is that they gear your mind into a state of self-reflection. These days, it’s Hurricane Matthew and its aftermath in Haiti that’s lingering on many minds. Next week, it may be something else.
What’s important is that we use moments like these to do serious self-reflection. No finger pointing, no wagging of the fingers at outside forces. Look inward, not outward, as the self-help gurus command.
So, get your mind in the right frame, and take a listen at these songs, curated by your fave chick Kreyolicious.
[Note: the complete title for this playlist was actually: The Playlist For The Haitian/Haitian-American Who’s Disheartened By What’s Happening In Haiti And Wants to Do Some Serious Self-Reflection, While Remaining Grateful and Hopeful…but that’s quite, ahem, a mouthful…and considering I’m trying to simplify things…]
1. Ada, “Viv”
About this Song: Live! Don’t be so absorbed by your problems and personal issues that you forget to, well, viv—live. Viv!
Best Line(s): Viv! Nothing more needs to be said. Ever seen that quote about how some of us are alive, and yet we’re not living…ever read that?
CLICK HERE to purchase Viv by Ada!
2. Kreyol La, “Fòk ou Kwè”
About the Song: This Kreyol La track encourages one to keep pounding the pavement, and maintain a clear conscience while at it.
Best Line(s): “Gen de bagay ki rive’w/Wap mande ki jan ou pral soti ladann/Fòk ou k/Ba gen miray ki pap kraze/Nap soti/Ti pa/Ti pa.”…There’s some situations you find yourself in/You ask yourself how will you find your way out of it/But you’ve gotta believe/There’s no wall that you can’t unravel/We’re gonna get out somehow/Little by little.
CLICK HERE to purchase “Fòk ou Kwè” by Kreyol La!
3. Emeline Michel, “Mèsi Lavi”
About the Song: “Mèsi Lavi”…A simple expression of gratitude! Yes, there are problems going on. Yes, so many lives have been lost, and crops, and tangible property have been swept away. But so many are still alive, and can rebuild, and hopefully rebuild stronger.
Best Line(s): “Mwen di mèsi pou de grenn je’m/Pou kè’m ki nan mitan kò’m”—I’m thankful for my two eyes/I thank God for that heart that’s centered in my body.
Notes: Thanking God for one’s two eyes, and one’s heart! Simple, it seems doesn’t it? But when you start to ponder on those lines…you realize that a whole hall of library books of thoughts are conveyed. We rely on our eyes for so much. Heck, I’m typing this little sentence here…how would I manage had it not been for my eyes! Goodness, gracious. We really have to be thankful for everything we have! Everything, including our vital organs. The song also mentions our hearts, which needless to say, is the core of our being and our soul. Our hearts allow us to feel compassion, and allow us to feel empathy for others, not to mention give and receive love. Alright, Emeline, girl.
4. Zin, “Kouraj”
About the Song: Kouraj…that’s like courage, and goodness knows people going through hard times need a potent dose of that.
Best Line: “Yon jou konsa farinaj bonè gen pou li anvayi kè’w”—A day like this happiness finna come at your heart like rainfall/Stay strong/You hear?
What a faith-strengthening message! The song preaches the need to keep going, and to go about one’s business—no matter what. Deliverance soon cometh, the song preaches!
CLICK HERE to buy “Kouraj” from Zin!
5. Zenglen, “Tout Bagay Posib”
About the song: The title’s translation: All things are possible. Ain’t that the truth! Tables flip, tables turn, tables reverse. It’s good to keep that in mind on a personal level. This song emphasizes the need to stay focused and the need to keep the faith, for you never know when things might change for you—for the better.
Best Line: “Men’m lè mwen pa wè anwo/Men’m lè pa wè anba/Li gen yon denye opsyon se lafwa/Tout bagay posib”—-Don’t know up from down/Can’t see nothing from up here/But there’s always that last option called faith/Everything’s possible.
CLICK HERE to buy “Tout Bagay Posib” by Zenglen.
6. Shabba Djakout, “Antann Nou”
About this Song: The title translates into something to the effect of—Let’s get along, let’s get our act together! Like several songs on this playlist, this song’s message is simple, but boy, does it pack a lot! Let’s try to get along with others—starting with our family, and carry that mentality in a wider sense…with our immediate neighbors, and with our extended neighbors. Harmony, harmony…HARMONY! I’m not into all this patriotic stuff and all that nationalistic stuff conveyed in the lyrics. Let’s be realistic. We may not be able to change others’ minds, or change the world, but at least we can attempt to change/adjust our individual minds.
Best Line: “Antann Nou”. I like the simplicity expressed in those two words. Let’s get along. It doesn’t necessarily pertain to a relationship with others…but a relationship with one’s self.
CLICK HERE to purchase Shabba Djakout’s “Antann Nou”.
7. Master Dji, “Tann pou Tann”
About this song: According to the user who uploaded this song, this track is from the 1980s, but it sends a timeless message. The concept of this song is something we should all swallow…don’t expect miraculous or overnight results in life.
Best Line: “Se tann pou tann”—you’ve got to wait. Of course that doesn’t mean sitting with your hands folded! Put some action behind your goals, and lots of work behind your vision.
CLICK HERE to purchase “Tann pou Tann” by Master Dji.
8. Disip, “J’ai Brulé Les Étapes”
About the Song: “J’ai Brulé Les Étapes” counsels everyone to stand firm in the face of overly critical people, personal shortcomings and overall downtrodden moments. The best is yet to come, bright lights are ahead! The song also makes it clear that trials and tribulations are a normal part of life, and are part of a character-building mission.
Best Line(s): “Soufri jodi a ak dignite/Pou demen ou ka souri ak fyète”–Endure with all your dignity intact today/So you can smile tomorrow with all your pride.
CLICK HERE to buy “J’ai Brulé Les Étapes” from Disip!
9. Abner G, “Lavi Pa Fini”
About the Song: It ain’t over, baby. Whether you’re being hit by personal obstacles that comes in the form of death, sickness, joblessness, heartbreak…well hang on! Don’t know where your next meal is coming from? No roof over your head? Well, don’t dezespere! That’s like…stay hopeful!
Best Line(s): Depi ou gen lavi/Ou gen lespwa/Pa sispann”—as long as you’re alive, there’s reason to remain hopeful.
10. Les Frères Parents, “Pa Dekouraje” [Don’t Give Up]
About the Song: This song encourages us all to
Best Line(s): Olye ou wè lavi ou ap avanse/Se rekile li rekile/…Ou konnen ou pa parese/Pouki lavi ou pa vle chanje/Vye frè fò ou pa dezespere”—Instead of moving forward/It’s like you’re taking steps back/You know you ain’t lazy/So how come your life ain’t going nowhere/But don’t you despair. Ain’t that the truth, folks? Every time you’re thinking you’re about to hit a milestone, the milestone becomes miles of stones. Hard stones too! Can I get a podyab?
Notes: I saw the song’s title on a sidebar and immediately wanted to listen to it, having judged it from its title. What I like about this song is how it encourages one to keep building stone by stone, and work towards the future, instead of expecting immediate results. And also, it hints that sometime you can be working hard not necessarily for the betterment of you personally, but of those who will come after you. Interesting perspective.
CLICK HERE to purchase music by the Les Frères Parents band!
So, there you have it folks…the ultimate Haitian music playlist for the Haitian/Haitian-American who’s awfully disheartened by what’s happened in Haiti (and elsewhere in the world), but wants to retain a spirit of gratitude, while at the same time doing some in-depth self-reflection—brought to you by your fave chick Kreyolicious.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE MUSIC PLAYLIST FROM YOUR FAVE CHICK KREYOLICIOUS!
