ARTIST/BAND /GROUP INFORMATION
| Born In/Current Location : | Miami, Florida |
| Occupation(s) : | Singer |
| Genres : | Konpa |
Stanley Toussaint (Tantan) is arguably one of Kompa music best male singer/vocalist. As a member of the group LAKOL, Tantan has produced or co-produced several of the major hits known to Haitian music like “Ole, Ole”, “Dife”, “Siwel”, “Min Bon Kompa”, “Lagem”. Tantan is among the very few Kompa if not the only singer with the ability to write and produce his own songs.
Tantan’s musical career began at a very young age. At 6 years old, Tantan started taken music lessons with one of Haiti best musical professors: Michel Desgrotte. At 10 years old, Tantan began his acting career as a cast member of (La Fillette Couvert De Paille) co-staring Alan Cave Jr., Alan Cave Sr., Toto Bicente, and Boulot Valcourt. Tantan’s first performance as a musician/singer came at the age of 12 during a live show which featured Boulot Valcourt. This was a major turning point in Tantan’s musical career because from there on, Stanley ‘s focus shifted from playing the guitar, piano to more writing and singing. Right around the same time, Tantan began taken voice lessons and was later known by most of his peers as little Steve Wonder.
Due to political instability in his native country, Tantan migrated to New York where he continued to pursue his musical career at Center for Media Arts where he graduated with a degree in sound engineering. While enrolling at the University of Staten Island where he studied Music/Theatre, Tantan continued taken both piano and singing lessons.
Tantan was in the heart of the new generation movement which took place in the early 90s. Tantan contributed to the early success of Zin and later Phantom which he made a brief stint with before moving on to start his own group, Lakol, which forever changed the new generation movement: Tantan helped Lakol become the first new generation Kompa band at inception to crossed all borders and musical styles. With Tantan’s brilliant vision, Lakol music video “Ole, Ole” became the very first Haitian Kompa video to be featured on US mainstream media like BET, Telemundo, French Antilles, European as well as African Base entertainment shows. As a member of Lakol, Tantan became one of a handful Kompa singer to perform in Africa . “Ole, Ole” which Tantan co-wrote and produced was nominated for Kompa song of the year by the “Caribbean Music Award” at New York Radio City Hall .
After almost a decade of a distinguished and unremarkable career as a band leader/producer, Tantan has finally decided to release a solo album which simply put, promises to again revolutionize the industry.
This album has been years in the making and already claims by most in the industry to be Tantan’s best ever work ever. The album truly reflects the multi-talented side of Tantan. Again, Tantan has shown that he can cross all borders and musical styles by incorporating his mainstream knowledge and ideas into this project.
Over the months ahead, Tantan once again hits the international touring circuit which give him a chance to get reacquainted with the his fans, and make some new ones well. “ I just want to continue making an impression on my fans,” he says. “ If you are not a fan yet, come see a Tantan concert. I guarantee, when you leave, you will be a Tantan fan!”
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