ZENGLEN
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.”
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.”
Le konpa
Zenglen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Se sa aa, Happy 50 Konpa
Konpa
Richie, m' wè sa wi
Tand'on bagay
O,oo, o, oo Gad'on sezisman
Kompa fèk gen 50 ans, l' poko menm chanje dan
O,oo, o, oo ti papa pale yo
Kompa just turned 50, figi l' pako gen pli
Se en 1955
Fwa, ze, legim te 10 pou 5
You jèn gason k' rele Nemours
Kreye konpa nan you lakou
Influence lan te latino
Lè sa pat ko gen anpil radio
Se epòk kisa Elsaye
Yo t'ap mande Sa sa ye
Se pa premier fwa n' fè listwa
N'independant, n' premier pèp nwa
Men gras a Nemours n' f'on lòt exploit
Paske se li ki ba n' konpa
Chak jou ti nèg repete sa
Men yo pa janm konn vale sa
Aux âmes bien nées
La valeur n'attend point le nombre des années
O, oo, o, oo
O, non, non, non
Compas fèk gen 50 ans, l' poko menm chanje dan
O, oo, o, oo ti papa pale yo
Compas just turned 50, figi l' pako gen pli
Ee, influence vin americain
Mini-jazz tonbe fè kenken
Anpil Orchestre te defile
Mizik sa ap twò long si m' pran site
Parmis lesquels te gen Loups Noirs
Ambassadeurs, Shleu-Shleu, Bossa
Magnum, Skah-Shah, Tabou Combo
Difficiles, Gypsies , D.P, Scorpio
Nou pap janm ka bliye Septan
Tropicana ak Frères Dejean
Si jodi a Nemours te en vie
Nou deja wè tout sa l' ta di
A la nouvelle generation
Il faut vraiment faire attention
Et il dirait surtout au gouvernement
De protéger nos talents
Bon Richie, bagay yo ta wòch sou wòch, metal sou metal wi
You pakèt medam tulututu ap chanje slogan
Oh cailloux sur cailloux, bon m' chanje l
Bagay yo brik sou brik, Dabenz lage l
Sa sa ye? Le konpa
Mezanmii, 50 ans papa, demi siècle
50 ans konpa n' ap fete
You eritaj Nemours kite
Selebre woy, selebre woy
Men avan chanpay pete
Gen ti kesyon ki t'ap poze, oo
M' pral bay repons yo
50 ans konpa ap flote
Kijan l fè poko janm rive
Tèt ansanm ki fè sa, se structure ki fè sa
Musicien trayi musicien
Vann figi yo pou de gouden non, non, non
Encadrement ki fè sa, gouvènman ki fè sa
Monsieur le minister, sa w' te fè pou Nemours, Anyen non
Monsieur le gouverneur, sa w' te fè pou Sicot, Anyen non
Guy Durosier, Dadou, Ticot, Robert Martino, Anyen non
Dieudonné Larose, Schoubourt ap Manno, Anyen non
50 ans konpa ap flote
Kijan l fè poko janm moute
Tèt ansanm ki fè sa, se structure ki fè sa
Musicien trayi musicien
Vann figi yo pou de gouden non, non, non
Encadrement ki fè sa, gouvènman ki fè sa
Monsieur le minister (Oh sorry), so w ko fè pou Douby, anyen non
So w' ko fè pou Arly ak Daniel Larivière, anyen non
Fabrice Rouzier, Tantan, Alan Cavé, Anyen non
Monsieur le gouverneur, sa w ko fè pou Richie, anyen non
Pou jan l travay
Bon pwoblèm yo fin ekspoze la
Archilles Saint-Hillaire,
Ou mèt pote champagne la wi
What's you gonna do?
We gonna rock the party
Blast the party
Jump the party
Freeze the party
Freak somebody
And leave the party
To the after party
M pa konn sa w' t'ap tande avan sa
Ni m' pa konn sa w pral tande aprè sa
Men la, se sa w'ap tande kounya la ki konpa
Epi Richie, sèvi avè yo
Hands up
Put them up, put them up y'all
Yes yes y'all, pou konpa direk
Hands up
Epi fò n' di Nemours mèsi
Hands up
Pou tout nom nou pa site yo
Hands up
Ti Manno, Coupé Cloué, et j'en passe
Hands up
One love, One love, Respect y'all
Konpa
Richie, m' wè sa wi
Tand'on bagay
O,oo, o, oo Gad'on sezisman
Kompa fèk gen 50 ans, l' poko menm chanje dan
O,oo, o, oo ti papa pale yo
Se en 1955
Fwa, ze, legim te 10 pou 5
You jèn gason k' rele Nemours
Kreye konpa nan you lakou
Influence lan te latino
Lè sa pat ko gen anpil radio
Se epòk kisa Elsaye
Yo t'ap mande Sa sa ye
Se pa premier fwa n' fè listwa
N'independant, n' premier pèp nwa
Men gras a Nemours n' f'on lòt exploit
Paske se li ki ba n' konpa
Chak jou ti nèg repete sa
Men yo pa janm konn vale sa
Aux âmes bien nées
La valeur n'attend point le nombre des années
O, oo, o, oo
O, non, non, non
Compas fèk gen 50 ans, l' poko menm chanje dan
O, oo, o, oo ti papa pale yo
Compas just turned 50, figi l' pako gen pli
Ee, influence vin americain
Mini-jazz tonbe fè kenken
Anpil Orchestre te defile
Mizik sa ap twò long si m' pran site
Parmis lesquels te gen Loups Noirs
Ambassadeurs, Shleu-Shleu, Bossa
Magnum, Skah-Shah, Tabou Combo
Difficiles, Gypsies , D.P, Scorpio
Nou pap janm ka bliye Septan
Tropicana ak Frères Dejean
Si jodi a Nemours te en vie
Nou deja wè tout sa l' ta di
A la nouvelle generation
Il faut vraiment faire attention
Et il dirait surtout au gouvernement
De protéger nos talents
Bon Richie, bagay yo ta wòch sou wòch, metal sou metal wi
You pakèt medam tulututu ap chanje slogan
Oh cailloux sur cailloux, bon m' chanje l
Bagay yo brik sou brik, Dabenz lage l
Sa sa ye? Le konpa
Mezanmii, 50 ans papa, demi siècle
50 ans konpa n' ap fete
You eritaj Nemours kite
Selebre woy, selebre woy
Men avan chanpay pete
Gen ti kesyon ki t'ap poze, oo
M' pral bay repons yo
50 ans konpa ap flote
Kijan l fè poko janm rive
Tèt ansanm ki fè sa, se structure ki fè sa
Musicien trayi musicien
Vann figi yo pou de gouden non, non, non
Encadrement ki fè sa, gouvènman ki fè sa
Monsieur le minister, sa w' te fè pou Nemours, Anyen non
Monsieur le gouverneur, sa w' te fè pou Sicot, Anyen non
Guy Durosier, Dadou, Ticot, Robert Martino, Anyen non
Dieudonné Larose, Schoubourt ap Manno, Anyen non
50 ans konpa ap flote
Kijan l fè poko janm moute
Tèt ansanm ki fè sa, se structure ki fè sa
Musicien trayi musicien
Vann figi yo pou de gouden non, non, non
Encadrement ki fè sa, gouvènman ki fè sa
Monsieur le minister (Oh sorry), so w ko fè pou Douby, anyen non
So w' ko fè pou Arly ak Daniel Larivière, anyen non
Fabrice Rouzier, Tantan, Alan Cavé, Anyen non
Monsieur le gouverneur, sa w ko fè pou Richie, anyen non
Pou jan l travay
Bon pwoblèm yo fin ekspoze la
Archilles Saint-Hillaire,
Ou mèt pote champagne la wi
What's you gonna do?
We gonna rock the party
Blast the party
Jump the party
Freeze the party
Freak somebody
And leave the party
To the after party
M pa konn sa w' t'ap tande avan sa
Ni m' pa konn sa w pral tande aprè sa
Men la, se sa w'ap tande kounya la ki konpa
Epi Richie, sèvi avè yo
Hands up
Put them up, put them up y'all
Yes yes y'all, pou konpa direk
Hands up
Epi fò n' di Nemours mèsi
Hands up
Pou tout nom nou pa site yo
Hands up
Ti Manno, Coupé Cloué, et j'en passe
Hands up
One love, One love, Respect y'all
The song "Le konpa" by Zenglen is a tribute to the konpa music genre, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Konpa originated in 1955 when a young man named Nemours Jean-Baptiste created it in a courtyard. The song highlights the influence of Latino music and the challenges konpa faced in gaining radio airplay at that time. The lyrics also mention Elsye, a popular band at the time, and their famous question "Sa sa ye?" which means "What's up?" in Haitian Creole.
The song praises Nemours for his contribution to konpa, as he was the one who introduced it to the world. The lyrics emphasize the daily practice and dedication of konpa musicians and the importance of valuing their talent. The song also mentions the evolution of konpa, with influences from American music and the emergence of bands such as Loups Noirs, Ambassadeurs, Shleu-Shleu, and Tabou Combo.
The song raises questions about the future of konpa and calls for attention from the younger generation and the government to protect and support Haitian musical talents. It mentions various musicians like Richie, Douby, Arly, Daniel Larivière, and Alan Cavé, criticizing the lack of support they have received from the government. The lyrics also mention Achilles Saint-Hillaire, who is asked what he will do to contribute to the konpa celebration, and the song ends with a call to party and celebrate.
Lyrics © B.E. RELATIONS PUBLISHING, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jean Brutus Derissaint
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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