Boukman Eksperyans is a a mizik rasin band from the city of Port-au-Prince,… Read Full Bio ↴Boukman Eksperyans is a a mizik rasin band from the city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The band derives its name from Dutty Boukman, a vodou priest who led a religious ceremony in 1791 that is widely considered the start of the Haitian Revolution. The other half of the band's name, "Eksperyans", is the Kréyòl word for "experience", and was inspired by the band's appreciation of the music of Jimi Hendrix. The band was at the height of its popularity in 1991 when the presidency of Jean Bertrand Aristide was overthrown in a military coup d'etat. Like many other artists and performers, Boukman Eksperyans fled the country to live in exile. During their time abroad, the band performed and spoke out against the military dictatorship of Raoul Cédras. In 1994, after Aristide was restored to power, the band returned to Haiti, where they continued to play concerts, record albums, and perform at the Carnival celebrations.
Boukman Eksperyans was founded by Lolo Beaubrun and his wife Mimerose. Beaubrun's father was a comedian and was often referred to as the Bill Cosby of Haiti. While on tour in the United States, he brought back a James Brown LP which left a lasting impression on young Lolo. After his parents divorced, he followed his mother to Brooklyn, New York. In the United States, he studied two years of Business Administration.
Lolo returned to Haiti in 1978, and there were bands playing music known as minidjaz as part of the first "roots" music movement. To Lolo, they seemed to pay no attention to song lyrics that dealt with reality. They were even accused of standing too close to the Duvaliers. When Lolo and Mimrose began to seek their musical goals, they felt a strong desire to incorporate the African element in Haiti's culture into their music. They decided to combine roots music with vodou religious and musical traditions. The greater vision was to use their music to combine the structures found in common throughout world religions with Haitian vodou.
Lolo's grandfather was deeply involved in vodou, but his parents never made this available to him. Lolo and Mimrose entered their first vodou lakou-s, a Haitian spiritual community, where they met musicians and singers. They also got their first real glance at the African culture of Haiti in the form it was handed down from members of various tribes. They founded a group to study vodou music, gave it the name of Moun Ife ("People of the Abode of the Deities"). Lolo stated that Bob Marley, another important musical inspiration, made him think. When he heard the Jamaican legend in 1976, he thought he could create something similar in Haiti with vodou. Lolo and Mimerose began to perform as a live act in the 1980s.
The traditional roots instruments were replaced by electric instruments, like the bass guitar and two guitars played by members Eddy François and Daniel 'Daby' Beaubrun, Lolo's brother and the band's chief arranger. To honor both the 18th century vodou priest and the "high priest of rock music", Jimi Hendrix, the band chose the name Boukman Eksperyans. Since the beginning, starting with the first encounters made by the Beaubruns with deep African roots, Boukman Eksperyans has remained steadfastly linked to the Ginen ("Guinea") vodou line. The band calls it vodou adjaye after a vodou ceremonial dance. This was also the title of their first album, released in 1991.
Boukman Eksperyan first became famous in 1990 when they presented their song "Ke'm Pa Sote" at the Carnival celebration in Port-au-Prince. The song included the refrain "My heart doesn't leap, I'm not afraid". This song was a protest against the living conditions under the post-Duvalier interim military government of General Prosper Avril. After a young girl was shot dead by a soldier, this song became an out-and-out battle hymn admonishing the government. The band continued to write and perform rebellious songs. The band members were never directly threatened, but were advised 'never go out at night'. When the military junta overthrew president Jean-Bertran Aristide in 1991, the band decided to leave the country for their own safety.
Boukman Eksperyans was founded by Lolo Beaubrun and his wife Mimerose. Beaubrun's father was a comedian and was often referred to as the Bill Cosby of Haiti. While on tour in the United States, he brought back a James Brown LP which left a lasting impression on young Lolo. After his parents divorced, he followed his mother to Brooklyn, New York. In the United States, he studied two years of Business Administration.
Lolo returned to Haiti in 1978, and there were bands playing music known as minidjaz as part of the first "roots" music movement. To Lolo, they seemed to pay no attention to song lyrics that dealt with reality. They were even accused of standing too close to the Duvaliers. When Lolo and Mimrose began to seek their musical goals, they felt a strong desire to incorporate the African element in Haiti's culture into their music. They decided to combine roots music with vodou religious and musical traditions. The greater vision was to use their music to combine the structures found in common throughout world religions with Haitian vodou.
Lolo's grandfather was deeply involved in vodou, but his parents never made this available to him. Lolo and Mimrose entered their first vodou lakou-s, a Haitian spiritual community, where they met musicians and singers. They also got their first real glance at the African culture of Haiti in the form it was handed down from members of various tribes. They founded a group to study vodou music, gave it the name of Moun Ife ("People of the Abode of the Deities"). Lolo stated that Bob Marley, another important musical inspiration, made him think. When he heard the Jamaican legend in 1976, he thought he could create something similar in Haiti with vodou. Lolo and Mimerose began to perform as a live act in the 1980s.
The traditional roots instruments were replaced by electric instruments, like the bass guitar and two guitars played by members Eddy François and Daniel 'Daby' Beaubrun, Lolo's brother and the band's chief arranger. To honor both the 18th century vodou priest and the "high priest of rock music", Jimi Hendrix, the band chose the name Boukman Eksperyans. Since the beginning, starting with the first encounters made by the Beaubruns with deep African roots, Boukman Eksperyans has remained steadfastly linked to the Ginen ("Guinea") vodou line. The band calls it vodou adjaye after a vodou ceremonial dance. This was also the title of their first album, released in 1991.
Boukman Eksperyan first became famous in 1990 when they presented their song "Ke'm Pa Sote" at the Carnival celebration in Port-au-Prince. The song included the refrain "My heart doesn't leap, I'm not afraid". This song was a protest against the living conditions under the post-Duvalier interim military government of General Prosper Avril. After a young girl was shot dead by a soldier, this song became an out-and-out battle hymn admonishing the government. The band continued to write and perform rebellious songs. The band members were never directly threatened, but were advised 'never go out at night'. When the military junta overthrew president Jean-Bertran Aristide in 1991, the band decided to leave the country for their own safety.
Pwazon Rat
Boukman Eksperyans Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Boukman Eksperyans:
Bay Bondye Glwa Map bay Bondye glwa pou sal fè yo Bay Bondye glwa…
Ganga Anpil koze kap pase Je ki la ki pa janm ka…
IMAMOU LELE Imamou Lélé woy Koman nou ye O Imamou Lélé woy Kouman nou ye…
Konbit Zaka Travay map travay ooooooo Kouzen zaka map travay ave w tande…
Legba Jete dlo oui nan lakou a Hey ho Ha Legba nan…
Nanm Nan Boutey Anye, sa rèd o Anye, sa rèd o Nanm nou nan boutèy Sa…
Nou Pap Sa Bliye Nou sonje Nou pap sa bliye Jou ke nou di nou di…
Tande M Tande Tande'm tande.konnen'm konnen. Tande'm tande, bon pawol ap p…
Tande m' tande Tande′m tande.konnen'm konnen. Tande′m tande, bon pawol ap p…
Tribilasyon remet mizew ba moun ki renmenw lan sila ki te bay lavi…
Tribylasion Remet mizè w Bay moun ki remen w Sila ki te bay…
Zili Manman manman map saluer ou Ou menm ki plen lanmou Gran mèt…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@weensegeorges4921
We been knew,,, but most of us don’t know…… only if the new generation know 😊
@MarvilousRAP
Mezanmi yo palé nou mal oh Ayisien yo palé nou mal oh ...
Yo di kilti nou se djab
Tout sak pa bon sé nou
Sa'n fe yo mezanmi ?
LOVE FOR OUR ANCESTORS
@nepruha1
PROUD HAITIAN!!!!!!
@jjyonel2993
YES EDDY BOUKAN GININ WITH INCREDIBLE VOICE FOR OUR ROOTS YOU ARE A LIVING LEGEND
@IRosamelia
I found one of Boukman Eksperyans' cds at a Tower Records twenty years ago. Been a fan ever since. They are the real thing, very talented.
@steez1megalodon839
Wow that's amazing, Boukman is our pride of Haitian Folklore music called "Rasin". This term simply means Roots.
@IRosamelia
@@steez1megalodon839 I agree, Haitians are very proud people who have gotten bad press...
@steez1megalodon839
@@IRosamelia Yes indeed, that is because we are the first slave colony to ever have a successful uprising. We are forever punished, for daring to be long suffering and to never give up on our freedom.
@IRosamelia
@@steez1megalodon839 LONG LIVE HAITI
@Zaafirah013
One of my favorites aside from "kem pa sote." Manman te kon jwe chanson sa chak jou le mwen te piti. =) Brings back memories. Thanks for posting!