Martelly currently serves as President of Haiti after winning the presidential election in 2011.
Martelly is more popularly and affectionately known as “Sweet Micky,” a moniker sometimes used interchangeably to refer to himself as well as his band (with original members, guitar player Alex Tropnas and bass player Welton Desire).
Michel Martelly has been heralded as a pioneer of a unique brand of kompas music, a style of Haitian dance music sung in Haitian Creole language. Originally, compas was a fusion of Afrolatin jazz and African/Haitian folkoric rhythms, and was traditionally played by large bands composed of numerous group members and instrument sections. Martelly, a keyboardist and the self-proclaimed “bad boy” President of Compas, popularized a nouvelle generation, or “new generation” style, of smaller bands with few members that relied predominantly on synthesizers and electronic instruments to reproduce a fuller sound. Martelly’s and Sweet Micky’s live performances and recordings are sometimes laced with obscenities and humorous sociopolitical commentary by Martelly. Outlandish and outspoken, Martelly has been known to drink publicly while performing in wigs, costumes, diapers, and Scottish kilts, and occasionally removed his own attire while performing. While arguably the most recognized and applauded musician and public personality in Haiti, Martelly’s performance style has sometimes ignited controversy throughout the Haitian diaspora.
Kité yo palé
Sweet Micky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
djol alèlè yo pa janm konprann
plis yap ranse, plis yap fè back
nou men nou la nap p fé plis kob
yo menm yo la yap pe rablabla
yo pale(bis)eee kite yo pale
djol alèlè yo kap pale
kite yo pale
ooooooohohhhhohh eeée
se chak jou nap travay fé bon bagay
ou menm wap pale, pale, pale.
ou konn kijan yap voyew ou pa konn
kijan wap tounen
lew tounen ou tounen san dan
yo rele sa mazora, mazo, mazo, mazora
The lyrics to "Kité yo palé" by Sweet Micky convey a message of ignoring the negative opinions and criticisms of others and focusing on the positive actions and accomplishments that one is doing in their own life. The opening lines describe the singer watching their neighbors speak negatively about them throughout the day, but reminding themselves that their own hard work and good deeds are what truly matter. The chorus repeats the message to let the haters talk and not be bothered by their words.
The second verse focuses on the idea of not understanding how others may judge or perceive one's actions, but realizing that it doesn't matter as long as one is doing good and making a positive impact. The line "yo rele sa mazora" refers to a common Haitian saying meaning "let them talk behind your back" which is another way of expressing the overall message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
oyiii, tout la jounen m chita map gade vwazen kape pale nou mal, sa pa janm epechen travay, nou pa sispann fè bon bagay
Oh, throughout the day I sit and watch my neighbors talk bad about us. It never distracts us from our work of doing good things.
djol alèlè yo pa janm konprann
These idle people will never understand.
plis yap ranse, plis yap fè back
The more they gossip, the more we prosper.
nou men nou la nap p fé plis kob
We are here, making more money.
yo menm yo la yap pe rablabla
They are still here, talking nonsense.
yo pale(bis) kite yo pale
Let them talk and talk.
yo pale(bis)eee kite yo pale
Let them talk.
djol alèlè yo kap pale
Those idle people are talking.
kite yo pale
Let them talk.
ooooooohohhhhohh eeée
(Instrumental break)
se chak jou nap travay fé bon bagay
Every day we work and do good things.
ou menm wap pale, pale, pale.
You keep talking, talking, talking.
ou konn kijan yap voyew ou pa konn
You know how they talk about you, but you don't know how to retaliate.
kijan wap tounen
How will you come back from this?
lew tounen ou tounen san dan
When you come back, come back without teeth.
yo rele sa mazora, mazo, mazo, mazora
They call that 'mazora', 'mazo', 'mazo', 'mazora'.
Writer(s): BADI KAMAL SERIPHIN, MICHEL JOSEPH MARTELLY, HANTZ FRED MERCIER
Contributed by Alexandra K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rachellealexandre-barais2357
You did it again Sweety Micky- you have not lost your sense of humor. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
@LLAARROOZZAA
Sweet Micky is back! Dopest than ever😍😍😍 Bravo Prézidan!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
@meciehaiti2213
Rose_me kgvs
@rockmoutainproduction
BANM SWEET MICKY ❤ KIYES KAP TANDE LI ANKO EN 2024
@bobbonamy2551
More love, more respect, more honor, we got to you how we appreciate you mr. President. Welcome back mr. President.
@starm-upnoelandstar9221
Ki moun ki still ap tande mizik sa 2019 hmnmmn wow sa freu bon bagay guys bon travay
@reginalsilne1712
The love of our life pap jam gen yon lot sou generation Pam nan anko Mesi president Martelly pou travay ou
@Lindokzn
As an African in South Africa, i am still irritated that Haiti could not be allowed to be a member state within the Au. I feel we have so much to learn as the continent of Africa from this amazing country. After become aware that your president then was/is a musician i went to check his music and find the song "Don't touch" it to be very interesting. I enjoy it every day been dancing to it ever since i found it. I speak Zulu and English having no clue of Creole or French but i enjoy the made of his music. Much love from South Africa!!!!!!
@Jimmy-wb3pv
You must come and visit Haiti one day.
@juliocesarlezcano6243
Despacito