Jonathan Perry, known as JPerry on the stage, can get the badge and the sash as the unofficial cultural ambassador of Haiti through his music. One of his past singles “Dekole” might have served as track music for a commercial on Haiti’s tourism, and its subsequent music video as visual for a travelogue. The song stroke such a chord, with verses praising Haiti’s natural assets and its tropical beauty.

The song “Enjoy” takes over where “Dekole” left off. After the smooth flow of the “Dekole” video from Mage Entertainment, one’s expectations for the “Enjoy” video was as high as can be, and when the firm behind it is none other than commercial bastion Bruno Mourral’s Muska Group, one expects something up to par. So, when one is served with cut-offs of heads and a scene where Perry, riding a motorcycle, can only be seen from the hands up to his arms, one is compelled to scratch one’s head. Until, that is, one fully grasps the true concept of the video. With images of Perry on performing on stage interceded with casual shots of him in a recording studio with his entourage, sitting on algae-permeated rock at the mouth of a beach, and intermingling with everyday people on the streets of Haiti, the video is meant to show a more personal view of Haiti than “Dekole” did. Kinda like if one is given a video camera to film one’s neighborhood and one’s country with a personal flair.

Anh, oke!

Mr. Perry propels a message about Haiti’s beauty, and that’s fine, as he does a stupendous job at it. But it must be said that to grow as an artist, Mr. Perry should branch out to other subjects next time. Songs like “Dekole” and “Enjoy” have a perennial aspect to them. But, the time has come for Perry to break out of the mold, even if it has procured him a great deal of well-deserved attention.

For instance, how about a romantic ballad in Creole next time to diversify the artist’s portfolio?

Ahem, this said, let us turn our attention to the music video itself. Want to sing along with the video? The lyrics are below (followed by a translation).

LYRICS

Intro:
Baoli Records baby

Paradise
Ayiti cheri
M ap enjoy
M ap trip nan peyi a
Ann ale

Paradise
Haiti baby
I’m enjoying
I’m tripping in this country
Let’s go

[Chorus]
Gadon ti peyi mezanmi Ayiti
Gad kijan m ap enjoy
Enjoy
Lakay se lakay
Bon manje, bèl plezi
Yon paradi m ap enjoy
Enjoy
Se konsa mwen wèl
Gad jan peyi mwen bèl
Mezanmi kite l viv non
Li lè pou l avanse

[Chorus]
Man, this Haiti is some country
Look at how I’m enjoying myself
Enjoy
Home sweet home
Some good food, loads of fun
I’m really enjoying this paradise
Enjoy
That’s the way I see it
Look how good the country’s looking
You people need to leave it alone
It’s time for it to make some progress

Mwen renmen Ayiti
M pap janm viv lòt kote
Se ti peyi m, ti cheri m
Se li ke m adore

I love me some Haiti
Can’t imagine ever living anywhere else
It’s my country, my baby
It’s the one that I adore

Nou soti lwen
Yon jou na rive lwen
Peyi sa pa ka gaspiye

We’ve come far
Someday we’ll get far
This country won’t to waste

E lè male, mwen toujou retounen
Paka kite l dèyè
Fò nou voye li monte
Fò nou demele kò nou
Yon jan pou n sa ranje l
Pou n fèl rive pi wo

When I go away, I always come back
Can’t leave it behind
We got it
We got to get things moving
So that one day we can fix it
So it can get further

Ayiti son gwo ti peyi vre
Se pa manti non
Se pawòl serye
Mwen santi m kool lè mwen di se Ayisyen mwen ye
Malgre pwoblèm, ke m konnen l genyen

Ayiti is a fine little country
And that’s no lie
That’s real talk
I feel cool when I say I’m Haitian
Despite all the problems it has

Mwen pa p janm kite bèl peyi sa gaspiye
Pou jan l gen trip ladan l
Imajine kisa l ta ye si nou ta mete lòd
Nou mete l a la mòd

I’m never going to let this country go to waste
It’s too much fun
Imagine what it could become if we were to put things in order
Make it the place to be

[Chorus]
Gadon ti peyi mezanmi Ayiti
Gad kijan m ap enjoy
Enjoy
Lakay se lakay
Bon manje, bèl plezi
Yon paradi m ap enjoy
Enjoy
Se konsa mwen wèl
Gad jan peyi mwen bèl
Mezanmi kite l viv non
Li lè pou l avanse

[Chorus]
Man, this Haiti is some country
Look at how I’m enjoying myself
Enjoy
Home sweet home
Some good food, loads of fun
I’m really enjoying this paradise
Enjoy
That’s the way I see it
Look how good the country’s looking
You people need to leave it alone
It’s time for it to make some progress

M bwè dlo kokoye
M manje lanbi
M souse rapadou
Banm yon ti dous makos
Ak yon ti Barbancourt
M gen annpil lanmou pou wou
Pase mwen konn sa ou vo
Devan lemond antye
Fòw drapo w vole pi wo
Nou gen bèl mòn, bèl lanmè
Bèl sous, bèl rivyè
Bon son, ak frechè

I drink me some coconut water
I eat myself some conch
I suck on molasses bars
Give me a little homemade candy
And a little Barbancourt
Got so much love for you
‘Cause I know what you’re really worth
When compared to everywhere else in the world
Your flag’s will fly higher
We’ve got some majestic mountains, some pretty beaches
Some great waterfalls, some nice rivers
Nice sound, some great breeze

[Chorus]
Gadon ti peyi mezanmi Ayiti
Gad kijan m ap enjoy
Enjoy!
Lakay se lakay
Bon manje, bèl plezi
Yon paradi m ap enjoy
Enjoy!
Se konsa mwen wèl
Gad jan peyi mwen bèl
Mezanmi kite l viv non
Li lè pou l avanse

Man, this Haiti is some country
Look at how I’m enjoying myself
Enjoy
Home sweet home
Some good food, loads of fun
I’m really enjoying this paradise
Enjoy
That’s the way I see it
Look how good the country’s looking
You people need to leave it alone
It’s time for it to make some progress

M ap enjoy, m ap enjoy
M ap enjoy Pòtoprens, e sitou nan provens
Everyday

I’m enjoying, I’m enjoying
I enjoy Port-au-Prince and especially in the other little cities too
Everyday

[Creole Lyrics via Anton Translations by Kreyolicious]
Music video via Kompa Grooves Channel]