Eddy François

Eddy François is a Haitian musician,^[1]

Born in Cap-Haitian, Eddy François is influenced by 80s music and begins his music career as a guitarist and bassist in a choir. In 1988, he joins the Kompa band Superstar Music machine and that following year joins the famous band Boukman Eksperyans that offers a new sound combining traditional rhythms with rock and pop. Eddy François's voice electrifies the band which enjoys phenomenal national and international success with hits like ‘Kèm Pa Sote’, ‘Pwazon Rat’or ‘Se Kreyol Nou Ye’. In 1992, Eddy François is considered ‘Best singer’ in the Caribbean by Rolling Stone magazine.That same year, Boukman Eksperyans got nominated for a Grammy Award. A few years later, Eddy creates his own band Boukan Ginen (Feu d’Afrique) which enjoyed immediate success and received the RFI ‘Prix Découverte’in 1994 for its album ‘Jou a Rive’, then goes on to be on the cover of the New York Times following his performance in Central Park. In the early 00s, Eddy François starts a solo Career and releases an album titled ‘Zinga’ a fusion of soul, blues and traditional music with thoughtful texts. He released a second album ‘Djohu’ in 2008. Ever since, Eddy has kept on pursuing his music career and performed all around the world. Today, he still has an extraordinary stage presence with a powerful voice that carries you down the péristyle. François was a founding member of Boukman Eksperyans.^[2] In 1990, he left the band, with two other members to become a front-man of a new band called, Boukan Ginen.^[3]

In 2004, he released his first solo album, Zinga, and, in 2008, a second solo album, Djohu, produced in the US by Andy Barrow.^[4]

Discography

See Boukman Eksperyans 1985–1989
See Boukan Ginen 1990–present

Solo albums:

Zinga (2004)
Djohu (2008)^[5]

Djohu
Blakawout
Koule
Sou Do'm
Zang Yo
Afrikayiti
Na woule
Lakay
Anacaona
Tchaka Mizik
Tande Kri A Yo

References

^ "Bélo". RFI Musique. July 2008. Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- Tequila Minsky, "MUSIC HAITI", Caribbean Life, 8 July 2012
^ Billboard, 11 July 1992, page 33 "Formed in the mid-'80s by Beaubrun, his wife Mimerose, and Eddy Francois, Boukman Eksperyans was named after ..."
^ Michael R. Hall, Historical Dictionary of Haiti ISBN 0810878100 page 45 "The 10-member group is headed by lead singer Eddy Francois, a former member of Boukman Eksperyans. Boukan Ginen's music is a blend of powerful rara rhythms and Voodoo-inspired group chanting. Boukan Ginen was awarded the prize of best song at the annual Kanaval celebration in 1991 for its rendition of “Pale Pale W” [talk]. ... The military dictatorship led by Raoul Cédras between 1991 and 1994 considered the group's music incendiary and prohibited radio stations from..."
- Peter Manuel, Kenneth Bilby, Michael Largey, Caribbean Currents: Caribbean Music from Rumba to Reggae (2012) ISBN 1592134645 "The group Boukan Ginen was formed by Eddy François when he left Boukman Eksperyans in 1990.
- Rhythm Music magazine (1995) volume 4, page 15 "Boukan Ginen came together in 1990 when Eddy Francois (lead vocals and musical director) Vladimir "Jimmy" Jean Felix (guitar), and percussionist Vladimir "Jimmy" Jean Felix (guitar), and percussionist Evens "Zilibo" Seney split off from Boukman Eksperyans. They recruited seven others on guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals, and lots of percussion, ranging from the steady kick-drum pulse of ..".
- Howard J. Blumenthal, The World Music CD Listener's Guide (1998) page 21. "Boukan Ginen In 1990, former Boukman Eksperyans members Eddy Francois (lead vocalist), Vladimy "Jimmy" Jean Felix (guitarist), and Evens Seney (one of several percussionists) formed a new group"
- Revue noire (1995) page 85 "Les puissants rythmes rara des tambours dirigent l'orchestre et portent très haut le chanteur Eddy François. Exubérante, la musique est ici un exutoire à la souffrance quotidienne et une interrogation sur l'avenir d'Haïti : Travay, An N Aie Wè. Pale Pale W (avec lequel Boukan Ginen a gagné le ..."
^ Panoramag 23, page xxii "Quatre ans après «Zinga», Eddy François lance son deuxième album solo. Intitulé «Djohu» et produit par Solèy Sounds, le nouveau disque est lancé début décembre. Enregistré aux Etats-Unis, l'album est produit par Andy Barrow qui a aussi produit le collectif Alo Haiti, ainsi que des artistes tels que Bélo, Kia et Mika ..."
^ "Djohu".