Djakout #1

Born In/Current Location :	Haiti
Occupation(s) :	Band
Genres :	Compas Direct

Originally rising to prominence as Haiti’s keading Compas group, the band known simply and authoritatively as Djakout Mizik emerged as one of Haitian music’s most seminal acts. Crafting highly energetic, austerely luminous songs probing the mythology of the Haitian music experience, their music fused the rural beauty of the street with the spirit of youth to forge a uniquely evocative aesthetic far removed from the work of their contemporaries. Djakout Mizik built its following the old-fashioned way; they earned it. Before they even hooked up with a major label, the band had already completed national tours, packing up night clubs throughout Haiti and crashing on friends’ and fan’s floors. After capturing

Djakout#1 is a Haitian Compas music band that is based in Haiti.
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the attention of producer Philippe Lavelanet of Antilles Mizik who was faced with a hard choice, he guys decided to sign them onto his label and released their first album that would through them into stardom. Led by charismatic singer Gracia Delva, the band relied on close friends and contacts in the media to sell their name. One of the songs on that album, “Glise” suddenly became a major hit. The band got a big kick back when their singer Delva moved to New York and decided to stay in the US. With new gigs coming to their calendar, and the musicians complaining about every new singer for their malcontent, they hired Pouchon Duverger to replace the departing singer.

On their next album “Moso Lanmou”, Djakout Mizik has managed to stay true to the Compas attitude while proving they’re not just one-hit wonder. With seven tracks, mostly penned by legendary guitarist Claude Marcelin, the band built up a fan base that sticked to melodies of “Ma Seule Folie”, “Rev Mwen”, or “Moso Lanmou”. By that time, the members were starting families, and it was becoming apparent that they were maturing as individuals and as a band.

Their fans’ frequent requests for a studio production which captures the raw energy of their live shows made Djakout Mizik allow themselves to add more live spirit and natural sound to their songs instead of following the usual perfectionist standards. They came across a lot livelier and more dynamic on stage, and that the fans really want to hear that sound on our records, too. This new approach has turned out very positively in many ways. Each new album will then have a lively sound or a “street sound”. Their new material is hip, more Haitian than the lakou. There is no particular musical style. If it had to be categorised, the term Djaz Lari-a (the street band) in its true sense would come closest. Only the lyrics and their meaning remain indeed truly Djakout, although the wording has become more metaphoric and more ornate. The statements remain clear, but the rhetoric is more selective. Two years later, they released “7ieme Ciel” that will cement their maturity and popularity among all social groups. Pandemonium struck when they released “La Familia” an ever-expanding audience to the energy of Compas music. With only five loud’nfestive tunes of that album “La Familia” was about to become unofficial national anthems. Pouchon Duverger was singing about its own distinct form, but it seemed there was a world of followers who felt their the connection and adopt the band as their favorite. Djakout Mizik went on to sell more than 30 thousand copies in the U.S. alone, and won a the 2004’s Best Group of the year.” It is no secret that the group Djakout Mizik has been the hottest craze in Compas music in the past ten years. It’s almost impossible to argue with their success; Djakout has been very consistent, producing a string of hit albums, fun, and enjoyable music for their fans. Whether it is in New York, Miami, Boston or Canada, Djakout headlines all major festivals and concerts. Today we live in era where successful Haitian performers, not jut Compas artists or bands, are few and scarce. Djakout is one of the few exceptions, one stage they display utmost chemistry and complete command of their craft. If “Live music” as many people proclaim it to be in the industry, is the very essence of Compas music, then Djakout might be the quintessential band at the moment. On stage they are consummate professionals and well discipline musicians. Djakout is not just one of the hottest sensations on the Haitian dancing circuit; their popular sound dominates the streets.

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