Michael Brun became famous on the EDM circuit, but his upcoming album ‘Lokal’ channels traditional forms like konpa and rara
The first of these transatlantic bridge songs is “Akwaaba Ayiti,” a motoring rework of a song by the Nigerian star Mr. Eazi, out today;will follow on the 28th. The album’s arrival coincides with a wave of new attention for Brun: He has been working with the Colombian reggaeton superstar J Balvin and also gained the support of YouTube, which picked him for its Foundry program, an initiative dedicated to elevating international independent artists.
Between 2016 and 2018, Brun released three songs that captured his gradual immersion in the sounds of his homeland: “Wherever I Go,” “Gaya” and “Bayo.” “After three years in a row trying to mix Haitian music and international music, I was like, ‘I’ve gotta run with this,'” the producer adds. He was encouraged by the enthusiastic responses of artists from both camps — not only the Haitian singer Lakou Muzik but also the international dabbler Diplo.
Brun also leans on the sound of konpa, a Caribbean hybrid that became popular in the 1950s. “It was really musically advanced, merging jazz, big band and Calypso all into a Haitian sound,” he says. The distinctive metallic guitar sound in “Kale” is sampled from Les Difficiles de Petion-Ville, one of Brun’s favorite konpa acts. “Those guitars are very iconic for Haiti,” he notes.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Here's how global polarization over Huawei is shaping the 5G landscapeDespite Huawei being a point of contention, its foundation as a 5G leader will still deliver opportunities to markets that haven't cut ties with it.
Read more »
Canada Joins The Global Movement Against Single-Use Plastics, Planning A Ban For 2021Canada plans to join other countries and U.S. states in banning single-use plastics, such as straws, shopping bags and cutlery.
Read more »
Shutterfly strikes take-private deal with Apollo Global, valuing company at $2.7 billionDigital imaging company Shutterfly announced on Monday that it's agreed to be acquired by Apollo Global Management.
Read more »
Buyout firm Apollo Global agrees to acquire ShutterflyPrivate equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC said on Monday it had agreed to...
Read more »
Netflix's 'I Am Not Okay With This' Adaptation Casts Sophia Lillis as LeadActress sophialillis – of ItMovie and SharpObjects fame – is set to be the lead in Netflix's next supernatural coming-of-age series 'I Am Not Okay With This'
Read more »
Visa Enters The $125 Trillion Global Money Transfer Market With New Blockchain ProductTwo years in the making, Visa has launched a new blockchain product, aiming to disrupt the market for international money transfers by making them faster, cheaper and more transparent.
Read more »