Clinton, Benoit

Artist/Band/Group Birthday :	20/07/1973(Age 51)
Born In/Current Location :	Jacmel, South-East Haiti
Occupation(s) :	Vocalist
Genres :	Compas Direct
Solo/Band/Group :	Mizik Mizik, Phantoms

Clinton Benoit was born on July 20, 1973, in Jacmel, South-East Haiti. Clinton
Benoit is a Haitian singer/musician, social worker, police officer, therapist, and
activist who has won multiple awards and honors for his contributions to the
Haitian Music Industry. Clinton Benoit has received multiple degrees from
temple university, and Clinton Benoit has also graduated from two law
enforcement academies in the United States. Clinton Benoit started his
professional musical career as the leader and founder of the first Haitian salsa
live band in Petion-Ville, Haiti, in the mid-1990s. Clinton Benoit has performed
with the most prestigious Haitian bands, such as Mizik-Mizik, Tabou Combo,
Magnum Band, Zekle, D’zine, Phantom’s, Dola-Mizk, and more. Clinton Benoit
is credited for his signature creation Funky Konpa as the father and for the
Respect to the Legends project with his Kreyol Alternative.
Clinton Benoit’s activism began back in his country of origin in September
1991 while in high school. He led other classmates to take the streets
protesting against the coup d’état of General Raoul Cedras who overthrew the
government of Jean Bertrand Aristide, the first popularly elected Haitian
president in history. Clinton Benoit showed more interest in social and political
issues in his 2010 song “Wa Dim Sa’w We” from his Funky Konpa album
criticizing the false representation of Haiti by the international news networks.
Furthermore, Clinton Benoit started a youth soccer program in Jacmel, Haiti
keeping many youths from joining gangs through sports and periodically
helping multiple families through his leadership programs. Clinton Benoit
supports social justice programs while encouraging young men and women to
stay out of trouble.
Moreover, Clinton Benoit has worked on behalf of fellow musicians who are
struggling. He has helped with fundraising activities for those struggling with
health issues or other matters within the Haitian Music Industry. At the
beginning of the Covid-19, Clinton Benoit gathered a list of influential Haitian
singers, musicians, radio personalities, actors, designers, and activists to put
out a PSA motivating his community to protect themselves against the Corona
Virus.
Biography sources: Entertainment Montly News, 2022

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