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.”
Curriculum vitae
Zenglen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah men se lavi l
Non non non kòm dabitud ban m bay nouvo talan pase
Wid chante sa pou mwen
Gen yon tablo ki paka repentire oh non non hmm
Gen yon imaj ou paka janmen chanje hmm hmm
Genyen wout ou paka retrase
Gen yon rezime ke w paka edite
Taye yon bonè lòt chapo nan tèt li yo deja konnen se manti huumm umm
Of course you can fool some people, sometimes
Men se pa tout map ka pran nenpòt ki bagay
Je m'appelle Jean Brutus j'ai pas un nom d'artiste
Have my head up, stay strong
He works hard, he'll live on
Se konsa yo rekonèt mwen, pa mete sou li pou mwen
You can take this spotlight, I'll lay back
Stay on my feet pa janm kouri twò vit
Prend la vie comme elle vient crois moi je me sens bien
Je m'appelle Jean Brutus j'ai pas un nom d'artiste
Have my head up, stay strong He works hard, he'll live on
Se konsa yo rekonèt mwen, pa mete sou li pou mwen
Je fais la route en souriant
Y'a pas toujours le beau temps
Danser sous la pluie, le soleil Midi
Dieu le Saint Esprit, c'est lui qui benit
You can take this spotlight, I'll lay back
Stay on my feet, pa janm kouri twò vit
Prend la vie comme elle vient crois moi je me sens bien
Je m'appelle Jean Brutus j'ai pas un nom d'artiste
Have my head up stay strong
He works hard, he'll live on
Se konsa yo rekonèt mwen pa mete sou li pou mwen
Je fais la route en souriant, y'a pas toujours le beau temps
Danser sous la pluie, le soleil Midi
Dieu le Saint Esprit, c'est lui qui benit
Dèyè mwen yon katalòg ki vo plis ke kòb
Wout mwen pase, kisa mwen kite
Leson chak jou tout moun ap resite
Dèyè mwen yon katalòg ki vo plis kòb
Sa enpòtan pou mwen pase lajan
Bagay ki vini avèk le temps
Chanter mes refrains des melodies sans fin
Moi je fais du bien, ne regrette rien
Je suis bien un livre ouvert
Merci seigneur
Alè an menm bato
Zenglen
Je m'appelle Jean Brutus j'ai pas un
Nom d'artiste pa mete sou li pou mwen
Have my head up stay strong
He works hard, he'll live on
Je suis un livre ouvert
Se konsa yo rekonèt mwen
Pa mete sou li pou mwen
Merci seigneur
The lyrics of Zenglen's song "Curriculum Vitae" touch on themes of self-identity, perseverance, and gratitude. The song is written from the perspective of Jean Brutus, who is not a famous artist but strives to make a name for himself in the music industry. He acknowledges that life is not always easy, but he remains determined to work hard and overcome obstacles.
The lyrics emphasize the importance of staying true to oneself and not succumbing to societal pressures. Jean Brutus rejects the notion of conforming to a mold or adopting a stage name to fit into the entertainment industry. He asserts that he is recognized for who he truly is, and he doesn't need to compromise his identity.
The song also expresses gratitude towards God for the opportunities and blessings in Jean Brutus' life. He acknowledges that behind him is a catalog of experiences and lessons learned, and he values the journey he's taken. Despite the challenges he faces, he approaches life with a smile and embraces both the good and bad times.
Line by Line Meaning
Se maetro Brutus wi ki ta sipoze chante mizik sa
I am Maestro Brutus, yes, who should sing this song
Yeah men se lavi l
Yeah, but it's his life
Non non non kòm dabitud ban m bay nouvo talan pase
No, no, no, as usual I give new talents a chance
Wid chante sa pou mwen
With this song for me
Gen yon tablo ki paka repentire oh non non hmm
There is a painting that can't be repainted, oh no no hmm
Gen yon imaj ou paka janmen chanje hmm hmm
There is an image that can never change, hmm hmm
Genyen wout ou paka retrase
There are paths you can't go back on
Tout moun deja konn kote l kòmanse e ki kote lap rive
Everyone already knows where they started and where they will end up
Gen yon rezime ke w paka edite
There is a summary that you can't edit
Taye yon bonè lòt chapo nan tèt li yo deja konnen se manti huumm umm
Take off a hat and put another one on his head, they already know it's a lie, huumm umm
Of course you can fool some people, sometimes
Of course, you can fool some people, sometimes
Men se pa tout map ka pran nenpòt ki bagay
But I can't take anything
Je m'appelle Jean Brutus j'ai pas un nom d'artiste
I'm called Jean Brutus, I don't have an artistic name
Have my head up, stay strong
I keep my head up, stay strong
He works hard, he'll live on
I work hard, I'll survive
Se konsa yo rekonèt mwen, pa mete sou li pou mwen
That's how they recognize me, don't put it on me
You can take this spotlight, I'll lay back
You can take this spotlight, I'll step back
Stay on my feet pa janm kouri twò vit
Stay on my feet, never run too fast
Prend la vie comme elle vient crois moi je me sens bien
Take life as it comes, believe me, I feel good
Je fais la route en souriant
I travel the road with a smile
Y'a pas toujours le beau temps
It's not always nice weather
Danser sous la pluie, le soleil Midi
Dance in the rain, the midday sun
Dieu le Saint Esprit, c'est lui qui benit
God the Holy Spirit, he is the one who blesses
Dèyè mwen yon katalòg ki vo plis ke kòb
Behind me is a catalog worth more than money
Wout mwen pase, kisa mwen kite
The path I've taken, what have I left behind
Leson chak jou tout moun ap resite
Every day, everyone is learning their lesson
Sa enpòtan pou mwen pase lajan
What is important to me is to value money
Bagay ki vini avèk le temps
Things that come with time
Chanter mes refrains des melodies sans fin
Singing my refrains of endless melodies
Moi je fais du bien, ne regrette rien
I do good, I have no regrets
Je suis bien un livre ouvert
I am indeed an open book
Merci seigneur
Thank you, Lord
Alè an menm bato
Come aboard the same boat
Zenglen
Zenglen
Je m'appelle Jean Brutus j'ai pas un Nom d'artiste
I'm called Jean Brutus, I don't have an artistic name
Have my head up stay strong
I keep my head up, stay strong
He works hard, he'll live on
I work hard, I'll survive
Je suis un livre ouvert
I am an open book
Se konsa yo rekonèt mwen
That's how they recognize me
Pa mete sou li pou mwen
Don't put it on me
Merci seigneur
Thank you, Lord
Lyrics © B.E. RELATIONS PUBLISHING, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jean Brutus Derissaint
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jbking 3736
Mwen telman renmen mizik sa
franndo doré
Brutus Se yon génie liye wi
Elmoreno Nazon
Ou paka renmen muzik sa pase'm broh
Jessica Camille Elas
Bel chant! I love this song.
Vanessa Syllia
One of my favorite 💃💃
Giscard DUPONT
Bon bagay excellent chnateur,respè pou maestro Brutus ,félicitation ak tout ekip la.
Claudy Estimable
Mizik sa enspirem anpil bagay nan lavi'm.sa se istwa pa'm!
Marcus Prophete
Li 2018, et still ap jaming the song. Se bien domage radio pa jwe mizik sa. Sa se yon classic
Ralph Harvens Joseph
Wa di frem.Chaje chef d'oeuvre ng yo gn ki pa pase nn radio ui. Sa byn fem mal
Elmoreno Nazon
Zenglen Cheri mw pap janm sispann tandew paske jazz sa TRO rive soumw