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.”
Don't Let Go
Zenglen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Li fe gen moun ki egziste pandan kouran vi yo koupe
Li ka fe lanej tonbe pandan soley ap briye
Lanmou fe granmoun tounen bebe
Ooooo nan tout jounal sou tout paj se de sa yo pale
Poukisa pifo maryaj jodia pa dire
Olye n chwazi reziye n, pouki n pa eseye
Kenbe lanmou nan de pye, pou nou sove fwaye
Mande manman papa m kijan ane sa fe yo 35 an
Yo di mwen pa gen sekre, kit li dous kit li anme
Nan lanmou fo w toujou pre pou w goumen
Ooooo nan tout jounal sou tout paj se de sa yo pale
Poukisa pifo maryaj jodia pa dire
Olye n chwazi reziye n, pouki n pa eseye
Kenbe lanmou nan de pye, pou nou sove fwaye
Dont let go (dont let go)
Don′t let go of your love
Pa kite mennaj ou pou nenpot bagay
La vie n'est pas parfaite, elle est pleine de defaite
Lanmou fe dlo bouyi sot nan frijide
Zanmi se pa manti m ap fe
Li ka fe dlo glase soti nan chodyè lanfè
Granmoun lontan te konn di cheri
Te toujou gen ti vyolans ti joure
Men kijan fe yo te kenbe
Paske yo te kwe nan lanmou
Pa gen pwoblem san solisyon
Pete kouri pa yon opsyon
Paske relasyon se konsesyon
Pa kite mari a ou pou nenpot bagay
La vie n′est pas parfaite, elle est faite de defaite
Lanmou fe dlo bouyi sot nan frijide
Zanmi se pa manti m ap fe
Li ka fe dlo glase soti nan chodye lanfe
(Horns)
Sake ayyy
Yes ma'am
(Keyboard Solo)
Richie!
Konpa ti papa
Te konn gen ti pachat
Ti jwet chen ak chat
Pa gen anyen k vreman chanje
Selman ogey nou ki te prime
Lobey te konn pete
Apresa li jere
Avan anyen, oh wi m ka fe mieux
Sa rann timoun yo malelve
Granmoun lontan te konn di cheri
Te toujou gen ti vyolans ti joure
Men kijan fe yo te kenbe
Paske yo te kwe nan lanmou
Pa gen pwoblem san solisyon
Pete kouri pa yon opsyon
Paske relasyon se konsesyon
Te konn gen ti pachat
Ti jwet chen ak chat
Pa gen anyen k vreman chanje
Selman ogey nou ki te prime
Lobey te konn pete
Apresa li jere
Avan anyen, oh wi m ka fe mieux
Sa rann timoun yo malelve
The Zenglen song "Don't Let Go" is a touching love ballad that speaks to the importance of holding on to love, especially in the face of adversity. The lyrics describe how love (lanmou) can make people feel complete and give them purpose. However, the song also acknowledges that love can be difficult, as it can be tested by the challenges of life. The image of love as a force that "fe dlo bouyi sot nan frijide" (makes water boil in the cold) is particularly poignant.
The chorus encourages listeners to "don't let go of your love" (pa kite mennaj ou pou nenpot bagay) and underscores the importance of commitment in a relationship. The song reminds us that while life is not perfect, and there will be defeats along the way, love is a powerful force that can sustain us through difficult times. The lyrics also offer advice to those seeking to maintain their love, encouraging them to seek guidance from older generations (granmoun) who have experienced similar struggles.
Overall, "Don't Let Go" is a beautiful ode to love that resonates with listeners by speaking honestly about the complexities of romantic relationships. Its message is a valuable reminder of the importance of holding on to love and the necessity of perseverance in the face of challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Lanmou fe zotey lonje, Konsa li fe je koule
Love stretches you out, like when tears stream down your face.
Li fe gen moun ki egziste pandan kouran vi yo koupe
Love can create people who exist even when they're cut off from life's current.
Li ka fe lanej tonbe pandan soley ap briye
Love can make rain fall while the sun shines.
Lanmou fe granmoun tounen bebe
Love makes old people act like babies.
Ooooo nan tout jounal sou tout paj se de sa yo pale
Oh, on every journal and every page, they talk about this.
Poukisa pifo maryaj jodia pa dire
Why don't they talk about marriage today?
Olye n chwazi reziye n, pouki n pa eseye
Instead of choosing to stay, why not try?
Kenbe lanmou nan de pye, pou nou sove fwaye
Hold on to love with both feet to save ourselves from drowning.
Lè madanm nan move tan l, m al chache konsey paran
When my wife is in a bad mood, I go to seek advice from my parents.
Mande manman papa m kijan ane sa fe yo 35 an
I ask my mother and father how they endured 35 years together.
Yo di mwen pa gen sekre, kit li dous kit li anme
They tell me there are no secrets, it's about being sweet and loving.
Nan lanmou fo w toujou pre pou w goumen
In true love, you are always ready to fight.
Pa kite mennaj ou pou nenpot bagay
Don't leave your partner for anything.
La vie n'est pas parfaite, elle est pleine de defaite
Life is not perfect, it is filled with defeats.
Lanmou fe dlo bouyi sot nan frijide
Love can make water boil straight from the fridge.
Zanmi se pa manti m ap fe
Friends don't lie, I'm doing it.
Li ka fe dlo glase soti nan chodyè lanfè
It can make water freeze from a boiling pot.
Granmoun lontan te konn di cheri
Old people used to say honey.
Te toujou gen ti vyolans ti joure
They always had little fights now and then.
Men kijan fe yo te kenbe
But how did they make it work?
Paske yo te kwe nan lanmou
Because they believed in love.
Pa gen pwoblem san solisyon
There are no problems without solutions.
Pete kouri pa yon opsyon
Breaking up and running away is not an option.
Paske relasyon se konsesyon
Because a relationship involves compromise.
Te konn gen ti pachat
There used to be little arguments.
Ti jwet chen ak chat
Petty fights like with dogs and cats.
Selman ogey nou ki te prime
But now we know better.
Lobey te konn pete
People used to leave.
Apresa li jere
Afterwards, they managed.
Avan anyen, oh wi m ka fe mieux
Before anything, oh yes, I can do better.
Sa rann timoun yo malelve
That's what makes children see the light.
(Horns)
Sake ayyy
Yes ma'am
(Keyboard Solo)
Richie!
Konpa ti papa
Konpa, little father.
Writer(s): Jesse Stone
Contributed by Gabriella J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kjonthebeatboy
El pozo 🥳 Kenny desmangles chanteur serye 🥳 Zenglen always ✅ Maestro Ritchie Légende 🙋♂️
@dominiqueemmanuel4920
Cette chanson est 2024 fois plus belle❤❤❤❤
@cenozierjunise4815
Ki Moun kap gadel menm jan avèm an 2023 a yon like
@user-gk1km7sk4d
Hola chica linda
@darlybelizaireadrien3929
Mwen 🙌🏽
@forgetbenoit0
mwen 30 decembre 2023 , and being single , and thinking about having a girl by me laa
@SusanaDuranRicharson-dd7zk
Bon dhe gen plan pou tout pitit li benediksyon pou ou ak fanmiy ou ☕🙏
@user-nz1eg6iu4c
Si yon moun ap tande mizik sa 2024 banm yo. Lik
@madizm05
This man dont get enough credit on his evre.Stay keeping them hit s coming .👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
@judenerleclerline2388
Waaaaaaaaaaaaw bèl bagay 🎤🎸🎹🎶