KOMPA: tHE SOULFUL RHYTHM OF HAITI
“When kompa plays, every body becomes a drum.”
Haitian proverb
The Golden Pulse of a Nation
Born in 1955 from the genius of Nemours Jean-Baptiste, kompa is more than a music genre—it’s the rhythmic heartbeat of Haiti. A perfect blend of jazz, calypso, and Vodou drums, it has conquered the Caribbean, Africa, and beyond.
Chapter 1: Birth of a Legend (1955-1960)
The Invention of “Compas Direct”
- July 19, 1955: Nemours Jean-Baptiste and his band “Aux Calebasses” debut kompa at Théâtre de Verdure (Port-au-Prince)
- Key Innovations:
✔ 2-beat rhythm (unlike 3-beat méringue)
✔ Powerful brass section (trumpet, saxophone, trombone)
✔ Electric guitar as melodic anchor
The Rhythm Wars
- Rivalry with Webert Sicot (inventor of “Cadence Rampa”)
- Difference: Kompa emphasizes heavy bass, cadence focuses on syncopation
Chapter 2: Golden Age (1970-1990)
Legendary Bands
| Group | Founder | Iconic Hit |
|---|---|---|
| Tabou Combo | Shoubou | “New York City” (1974) |
| Scorpio | Robert Martino | “Ti Carole” (1982) |
| DP Express | Michelange | “David” (1988) |
Social Phenomenon:
- “Bals Poussières” (open-air dance parties)
- “Fanaux” (dance competitions)
Global Influence
- Africa: Adapted into “Coupe Décalé” (Ivory Coast)
- France: Inspired Kassav’s Zouk
Chapter 3: Anatomy of Kompa
1. Musical Structure
- Intro: Energetic brass
- Pwèl: Vocal improvisation (often in Creole)
- Toumbladak: Frenetic rhythmic section
2. Dance Moves
- 5 Basic Steps:
- Tchatcha (hip movements)
- Kare (box step)
- Balansé (slow sway)
3. Key Instruments
- Guitar (lead)
- Tanbou (bass drum)
- Synth (1980s addition)
Chapter 4: Modern Kompa (2000-2024
New Wave
- T-Vice: “Ouvri Bayè” (2005)
- Carimi: R&B fusion
- Krezi Mizik: Digital kompa
Challenges
- Over-commercialization
- Competition from Jamaican dancehall
Chapter 5: Where to Experience Authentic Kompa?
In Haiti:
- Quartier Latin (Pétion-Ville)
- Cabane Choucoune (Port-au-Prince)
Diaspora Hotspots:
- Zanzibar (Paris)
- S.O.B.’s (New York)
Online:
- “Kompa Gold” playlist (Spotify)
- “Kompa TV” YouTube channel
- Haiti Entertainment
Did You Know?
- The word “kompa” comes from “compas” (musical measure)
- Sweet Micky (President Michel Martelly) was a kompa star
- 200,000 people danced kompa at 2023 Port-au-Prince Carnival
Kompa’s Futur
Artists like Michael Brun are:
- Blending kompa with EDM
- Organizing “Lakay” youth festivals
- Using blockchain to protect royalties
“Kompa is like a phoenix—it always rises from the ashes.”
Richard Cave (Scorpio)