It will be another month before singer-songwriter-guitarist Wesli’s world tour winds down. The tour had the Canada-based singer hopping all over the globe, from Fest Pirineros Sur in Huesca Spain, to the prestigious Nuit Boréal Esplanades des Invalides, in Paris France to Festival Sfinks in Bruxelles Belgium. He even had a stop at Cavallerizza for a show in Italy.
Besides his arresting performances at festivals all over the world, Wesli has released three acclaimed albums, each solidifying his standing, and enforcing his brand as an ambassador of African-inspired beats in Canada.
Kreyolicious: If you could listen to five records for the rest of your life, and were forbidden from listening to another music by some sort of decree…what would these records be…
Clinton Fearon – Mi Deh yah . This album has a really deep message…like [in the song] “Rock and a Hard Place”, which applies to all the Haitians who’ve left their country to go to the USA or elsewhere with a dream…and when they get there, it’s harder to realize the dream than what they previously thought. Two: Emeline Michel, Reine de Coeur, when I get nostalgic about Haiti. Three: Manu Chao, Esperanza. He’s an artist who’s real simple sincere in his message. He’s really diversified when it comes to his music.
Four: Tiken Jah Fakoly, Coup de Gueule. He’s my friend, my brother and mentor. This album is his career’s classic. “Plus rien ne m’étonne” is that song I can never stop listening to. The music, the words…everything is perfect. Five: Sara Tavares, Xinti.
This album is like a river flowing. I can listen to it until I fall asleep, and when I wake up with it on. I’ll never get tired of it. She’s an artist, a musician without compare.
Above: His latest album Ayiti Etoile Nouvelle [Haiti…New Star]
Kreyolicious: Besides music, what are other things you’re passionate about?
I’m passionate about sports like football…soccer, [going to the] gym, fishing, kayaking, swimming and teaching.
Above: La Liberte dans le Noir, his album released in 2012, who title translates to Freedom in Darkness.
Kreyolicious: What’s the most memorable moment of your career thus far?
I have so many to choose one might be so difficult but for a recent one when I was in Liverpool UK at Africa Oyé Festival the biggest African festival outside of Africa. [A crowd of] 50 000 people in front of me. Woq. I remember interacting with them was a moment special and memorable.
Check out Wesli’s music video below, featuring Mikaben and directed by Sylvestre Haze.
