Cangé, Réginald

Artist/Band/Group Birthday :	18/01/1978(Age 46)
Occupation(s) :	Singer
Genres :	Konpa
Solo/Band/Group :	Zafem

His delusional talent is infused with resources; with an extraordinary voice to reach the finish line, better than any other vocalist of his era. Eloquently adorned with a cool and relaxed pitch and an infallible diction which allowed him to be able to sing in Creole, French, English and Spanish. Vocal tics having nothing to envy to Enrique Iglesias, Marc Anthony or Bruno Mars. However, his rebellious character made him suffer from a checkered trajectory. Too bad he did not know how to equip himself with a hungry mentality. Instead of always being at the heart of a resistance. Which sometimes can be a stopgap for the entertainment industry; whether from here or elsewhere. But, we are what we are! Raised in Carrefour, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, around a peristyle, Réginald had from his early childhood the opportunity to adapt to all the musical styles of the land and, grappling with so many exotic influences. . Especially during a decade which saw the consolidation of the genres that preceded the genesis of global music. And allowed it to generate a very personal musical and vocal signature. Yet it’s in the rasin musicthat the astonishing minstrel began in the age of shorts. As drummer of the group “AlomanJahye”, composed mainly of young schoolchildren and academics at the end of the 1980s. All members of the young militant priest JB Aristide; the winner of the country’s first free elections. However, this experience will be dismantled by the bloodthirsty coup of 1991; which saw the bursting of cultural, family, musical and student centers in the region. When young people like Réginald must take cover to avoid the lightning strike of the paramilitaries, attached, frhapists, ninjas alike. What gave way to the dissolution of the group.

Trials that infused him with rebellious behavior. In short, as a teenager, he was part of a generation that had at heart the hope of a change in the country. But he must have gone through the bitter trial to see him slip away under her feet; because of the stupidity of an unconscious fringe. Yet imbued with his talent, he did not admit defeat. Keeping up with his obligations as a student and his craze as an artist. It is in this vein that an opportunity is offered to him. When requested by the members of the group “Faxed” from Carrefour, to come and show off his impromptu vocalizations in their music. Although this first attempt turned out to be ephemeral, due to the fact that this training did not have the means to promote it. Imbued with all this, Régi preferred to transfer to Delmas; where he found another set, the “Groove” more compatible with its ambitions. With which, he was finally able to expose himself to an attentive audience.

CANGÉ ANSWERED HIM: “ THAT HE DID NOT SEE HIMSELF PUTTING A PRICE ON HIS TALENT, LIKE A COMMODITY SPREAD OUT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

And showcase his abilities in a few pieces that hit the mark. Including mete m sou sa, whose video clip created quite a stir. But, victim of a light producer, their repertoire could not be disclosed in the media. From this observation, RC found himself obliged to change neighborhood once again. By contacting promoter Henry J. Louis who had a reputation as a scrupulous professional. And the latter introduced it within the group “Fresh” which put it at an addendum level. Thanks to which, he acquired so much reverence for the rest of his career. While putting him in the crosshairs of other local music hall magnates. As well as a more informed audience which was the object of unexpected requests. Including a performance at” Twoubakonpa ” which allowed him to highlight other facets of his ability, including an unprecedented interpretation of ” Pran pasyans ” from the ‘Tropicana’. Finally revealed, this prodigious singer, able to sing in all styles, makes the city run. On this momentum, it is rumored that the management of the group “Zenglen” should be in the country looking for a vocalist to replace Gracia Delva that US immigration had just turned back to the country. Confident in his talent, Régi told his manager: ” if that’s the case, I had to be on the front line ”.But, this one confirmed to him that it was an item of interest. And, was in contact with the impresario of “Zenglen” who was at the time J. Bellande for this purpose. This is how the latter came incognito to see him perform at the club “Tempo Plus” in Pétion-Ville. Where he gave a breathtaking performance. Subsequently, it was the group’s maestro, the very wise Jean Richie Hérard, who returned to the country to inquire about the potential of his new acquisition.

And the question of the maestro with the coveted brio; how he planned to negotiate the terms of his contract? Cangé answered him: ” that he did not see himself putting a price on his talent, like merchandise spread out over and over again. And that his apprehension would stem from the fact that his integration into “Zenglen” meant that he had to leave his country, abandon his family and, if applicable, his mother who depends on him. And this is the reason why he does not intend to sign anything. In order to be in charge of his own freedom. ”What a confession of faith! Which still left Richie in awe. Who thought generously, that it was necessary at all costs, to grant whatever his decision, to Cangé this entry visa. And put him in an environment capable of encouraging him. Outside the local circuit, too destructive with regard to young talents.

Subsequently, the young prodigy finally ended up with the “Zenglen” in Florida. Where it didn’t take her long to fit into an ensemble that really needed her exclusive breath. And silence the diehard regionalists of Gracia Delva who had to admit the superiority of the new recruit. Which is introduced immediately with the song ‘ ‘ 5 without +1 ” . While being flanked by a complementary vocal partner. In the person of Frérot J. Baptiste, another talent unearthed in Haiti, came for the same cause. Obviously, the duo will storm the konpa scene , through the work : ” 5 Etwal / Nou ka jere tisa a ”,in which ” Pèlas ” made discover a “Zenglen” at the time of time; incorporating parameters that allow the group to expand its audience. In particular with the vocal contribution of Régi who injected into it his brilliance as a versatile vocalist; by design a pinned falsetto giving him the right to all subtleties in the pieces : child support, fkd, el konpa, i need you, 18 years old, 5 without +1.

Giving the group a diversified posture that allows them to find their audience in Europe, the West Indies, Haiti and the diaspora who have once again made them a favorite group of the konpa. But, he was nevertheless going to be trapped by the new manager of the group Achilles St. Hilaire who made him understand, as well as to Frérot, how much they were essential for the group. In addition to his refractory temperament, not compatible with the rigorous discipline of Richie. Without thinking that wisdom can be an outlet allowing you to listen to the memory of the heart. Since talent is nothing without reason. After bribing them with praise and money, the manager made them abandon the group. By promising them their own orchestra. In any case, it is in the country that the three Amigos concocted the “Fasil” project. An initiative that turned out to be a fiasco. Since in the end, only Régi remained to manage this business. Because, Brother who was always reluctant to these insane actions ended up deserting. While Achilles was simply ousted.

WITHOUT THINKING THAT WISDOM CAN BE AN OUTLET ALLOWING YOU TO LISTEN TO THE MEMORY OF THE HEART

With his “Fasil” Régi could not convince all the same and let his beautiful voice go astray. By rubbing shoulders with indulgence in ease, through a few fortuitous interpretations including ” Ti Pouchon ” by Toto Nesesite. Then, in a flash, found the “Zenglen” without Richie in the work: “Rezilta” to reconnect with his sublime features in: Zenglen nan baz, rezilta, promise, lanmou se jwèt aza, dance in the dark, pa fè sa. With this cool and relaxed voice which has well deserved this new tour of the band in Brutus of which he had the ultimate honor of being the maestro. A status that did not please some and which eventually caused his resignation from the group. Finding himself subsequently in other short-lived attempts.

To eventually regain his “Fasil” which does not always arrive in orbit. Although in the meantime he has contented himself with a few collaborations with: “Kadans”, “Suav”, Frantz Dee, Fantom and others. And was even the object of request of the group “Djakout # 1”; which he refused. In the end, it was in the company of the famous Déner Céïde, that he began his last project in the formation of the group “Zafèm”. And whose pieces ‘ ‘ savalou ” and ” aladeka ”were offered as a premiere during the summer of 2019 to 2020. An association that featured two ingenious musicians; especially Céïde who remains one of the most prolific composers, and also, singer, guitarist, arranger and contributor of the environment. And of course, Cangé with his emblematic voice and his significant features; but also incredible stories. Notwithstanding, an alliance which has enough to give cold sweats to established competitors. Which were spared at the last second by the providential gong of the Covid-19. Even if we have been waiting since. A good hearer!

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