It was the 80’s, a quiet suburb of Port-au-Prince, where thr… Read Full Bio ↴ZENGLEN
It was the 80’s, a quiet suburb of Port-au-Prince, where three friends who were destined to make history in Haitian music met. Every afternoon, a young Brutus would sit on his front porch and play the guitar. Garry Didier Perez, and his friend Patrick Martineau, often noticed him and one day invited him to come over Patrick’s house. They would meet every afternoon to listen to all genres of music and interpret their favorites. During one of their rehearsals, some beer bottles fell off an amplifier that was vibrating and shattered into a million pieces. The guys laughed at the fact that Patrick would have a hard time cleaning up the many tiny pieces off the granulated floor. They all exclaimed ZENGLEN (which means tiny pieces of broken glass) and from that day on this was their band's name.
In 1989, the trio recorded "Koule Tan" (the color of time). Once completed, they took some tapes to several radio stations where hosts and listeners would become fans and fall in love.
Zenglen became one of the wonders of the early 1990’s as they released the hit song "Fidel" off of the album "An Nou Alèz." In the song the band said that “change” is never easy and always faces obstacles, and resistance, but that they pledge to remain faithful (Fidel) to their mission which is to improve and modernize the Konpa rhythm.
The Konpa world was introduced to their new found stars like the guitarist and singer Brutus Derissaint and the lead singer Gary Didier Perez among others. In the song "Fidel" the band said: "Sé konsa se konsa se konsa la vi ya ye lè ou vle met chanjman reziztans tèt chaje." Unfortunately after a U.S tour most of the band’s members abandoned ship and the band broke up into pieces like a real Zenglen.
In Miami Brutus never stop caressing the dream of keeping some of the pieces alive and had moved on with some attempts like the Zenglen Plus and a few solo albums in the 1990’s. Many musicians tried to help him to collect the pieces, but they often moved with their own projects like the creation of the band D-Zine. Nevertheless Brutus never lost faith and still remained fidèl (Faithful) to his mission by hiring more talented musicians each and every time. At the end of the century the acquisition of the drummer Richard Herard (Richie) and then singer Gracia Delva took Zenglen to the level of a very competitive Konpa band in the demanding market as they released the album "Easy Konpa" with nothing but major hits song that were going to move the band to the front burner of the industry. Ever since that time Zenglen hasn’t looked back despite the so many changes of personnel that occurred.
The album "Easy Konpa" was introduced to the public with the release of the video of the hit song "5 Dwèt" which boosted Zenglen to the top of the konpa scene. The song "B.S Productions" got the attention of the public as the song talk about unqualified show producers damaging the reputation of the bands. On that same album the band touched some subjects until then taboo as they talked about lesbians in the society in the song "Flannè Femèl" and drug used in the song "Ti Poud."
In the following years Zenglen continued to amaze the Konpa fans all over the world with the releases of the albums "Let It Groove," "Do It Right," "5 Etwal." The latest album, "5eme Vites," sung by current lead vocalist Kenny Desmangles, touches subjects on society, relationships with top notch konpa, and proved again why critics have praised them as the Konpa University.
Over the years the Konpa observers have seen broken pieces that continued to break in even more pieces, but the band remains solid and true to their mission: Zenglen doesn’t change…Zenglen improve. Like they often say in their songs “Sé pa changé nou changé, se pi bon’n vin’n pi bon.”
4 Gason Nan You'n-2015
Zenglen Lyrics
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Mwen tap tande yon komedien, yon gran black ameriken
Li di pou w vrèman satisfè yon fi anpil rale Mennen vini
Fò w ap chanje tanperaman w an kat gason diferan
Ouh oh oh oh
Gen twa bagay byen senp, fi gen kontwòl nèg li trè fasil
Sipò ak lwayote nou bezwen epi ba nou lanmou
Se eksperyans kap pale wi tonton
Pou w satisfè yon fanm konplètman
Fò w kanpe an kat gason diferan
Premyeman fò w son sugar daddy, pou yap rele w papi
Lasosyete son w gwo dosye chita pou nou tande
Zenglen pral eksplike w
Men ròl sugar daddy a tande
Yon pèsonaj yon neg aje chita nan kay ap depanse
Tankou James Nozile
Ba w atansyon tout sa ou vle, li pa bezwen anyen apre
Gason numero de a limenm,
Son w neg ki fyè pou l gen yon bèl fanm bò kote l
L ap fè tout sakrifis dekouvri Saint Pierre
Pou kouvri Saint Paul just pou fè manzèl plezi
Medam yo konn bezwen on neg ki gen tanperaman konsa
Men wol li jwe
Yon neg ki pa nan fè chèlbè, fè nenpòt jòb bon travayè
Tankou mwen menm Bato
Mennen chache timoun lekòl, lave machin
Kenbe m kenbe m
Sa son w flannè k pa negosye
Misye ap fè job wi la
Apiye kò w - apiye
M anvi danse wi la - kore m
Gason numero twa
Nou menm an jeneral Ayisyen
Nou pa gen ti pwoblèm sa
Sutou andan djaz sa yo rele Zenglen an
Medam yo konn bezwen on mandingo
Son w mesye un douce un chaut, sauvage
Bras a vide. Yo mandingo wi
Yo mandingo, yon neg ki cho
Tankou Brutus, ak Kenny Elsena
Li bòw goute w pa mande rete
Li bon nan sa sèlman aprè sa anyen li pa vo
Gason numero kat tanperaman ti men kase
Lap fè medam yo ri, pale nan tout kozri
Divers Nan tout zafè yo, pote zen ba yo
Sonw neg ki lucky
Men wòl misye tande
Tanperaman de sis kole
Ki tout tan ap fè yo ri
Kap fè tripoytay ak yo
Divers Nan tout zafè yo, pote zen ba yo
Gason numero kat la se li k pi du
Bato lage
Fòw mete gason pou w satisfè fanm ou
Sa m sot di w la li pa gen anyen ki dwòl
Son w liv m prete nan men on timoun lekòl
Act like a lady think like a man
Wa di m sa w panse my friend
Hahaha
Ou ka pote lanmou woy
Li pap ase
Ou ka pote dola woy
Li pap ase
The lyrics of Zenglen's song "4 Gason Nan You'n-2015" delve deep into the complexities of relationships between men and women, exploring various archetypes and personas. The song opens with the singer overhearing a conversation about an American actor who advises women to find satisfaction in multiple men, suggesting a shift in mindset toward embracing diversity and change in romantic partnerships. This sets the tone for a discussion on the three simple things women need in a man—control, support, and love—while acknowledging the intricate nature of female creation and the importance of experiences in shaping one's understanding of relationships.
The song then delves into the role of a Sugar Daddy, portraying a character who provides financial support and luxuries to women, highlighting the societal norms and expectations that come with such arrangements. It also touches on the idea of a man who takes pride in having a beautiful woman by his side, willing to make sacrifices and compromises to please her, juxtaposing the complexities of female desires with the straightforward nature of male perspectives. This section emphasizes the need for men to adapt to different personas and roles to satisfy women fully, while also hinting at the idea of superficiality in relationships based on material gain.
Further along, the lyrics introduce the concept of the modern man who is not defined by traditional notions of masculinity but rather by his ability to engage in various activities and roles, such as caring for children, doing household chores, and supporting his partner emotionally. This portrayal challenges stereotypes and expectations placed on men in relationships, advocating for a more nuanced and inclusive definition of masculinity that prioritizes mutual support and understanding between partners. It also hints at the idea of mutual respect and reciprocity in relationships, where both parties contribute equally to each other's well-being and happiness.
As the song progresses, it shifts focus to the characteristics of different types of men, ranging from the confident and assertive Mandingo to the humorous and carefree Lucky. Each persona is described with distinct traits and behaviors, reflecting the diversity of male personalities and the different ways in which they engage with and attract women. The lyrics suggest that women may seek specific qualities in men based on their desires and needs, highlighting the importance of understanding individual preferences and dynamics in romantic relationships. Overall, the song explores the complexities of male-female dynamics, societal expectations, and personal fulfillment within the context of love and relationships, offering a multifaceted perspective on the intricacies of human connections.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jean Brutus Derissaint
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind