Words by Erin MacLeod, as determined by Ghislain Poirier and Erin MacLeod—
Thinking back over big, tropical tunes from the Francophone side of things requires a pretty wide scope. Parties in Guadeloupe or Haiti are just as likely to play music from French West Africa or France as they are from their own backyards. There’s much more of a musical connection throughout the Francophonie than there is in the English-speaking world and, notably, in the English-speaking Caribbean.
This, however, means that there’s a whole pile of great stuff to choose from. And who better to consult on this than Montreal-based DJ/producer Poirier. Known for linking disparate genres from soca to hip-hop, Poirier has always kept a close ear to the sounds of the French-speaking Caribbean. Running through the range of riddims led us through tunes that should get play in the dance regardless of lingua franca. So, for 2012, in no particular order, here’s a list of 10 (plus 1) tracks that you would have heard if you were in the French West Indies, but if not, you should hear now.
Sexion D’assaut — “Africain”
As Poirier puts it, “I discovered this just recently but it was released in the summer. Very big tune. Sexion d’assaut is really, really big in France. I like that even though they’re a rap group (eight members at last count), Caribbean influence is evident in the music as much as in the flow. This was also the recipe behind their enormous 2010 hit ‘Désolé’.”
Poirier feat. Mr OK — “Jokma”
This aint just Poirier bigging himself up. It’s a wicked tune that’s been heating up everywhere from Haitian tap taps to Montreal taverns (While the video bootlegged the visuals from Solange’s South Africa-set “Losing You”). You can still cop a free download here.
Matt Houston — “Positif”
Martiniquan Matt Houston has already achieved huge commercial success over the last decade. This tune, however, is rather unique. Poirier explains: “In 2012, Houston took a track by Nigerian artist P-Square, initially released in 2010. P-Square is still on the track, and the instrumental elements and melody are still the same–save for having been translated into French. This song was so popular that it was played to celebrate and congratulate the French Olympic team when they returned to Paris.”
Admiral T — “Wine Kon Vahiné”
Admiral T is probably the most well-known Franco reggae/dancehall artist. The Guadeloupan hit-maker’s track with Machel Montano made our top 10 of 2010, but this year he released a new album, “Face B”, with heaps of good tracks. Apart from “Wine Kon Vahiné”, “Top Ten” is also a rough and wicked tune.
Raggasonic — “Mon Sound”
“We’ve been waiting on Raggasonic’s third album for 15 years,” says Poirier, “They are probably the best reggae/dancehall group that France has ever known. Producer Frenchie, the third member of the group, is behind most of the album’s productions. On this new record they’ve taken up where they left off: musical flow, conscious lyrics, and predominantly digital riddims.”
Soké — “Jette ton arme”
Straight outta Outaouais, Quebec, is Soké, who can heat up the otherwise freezing temperatures of Eastern Canadian winter. This is some very decent dub-influenced reggae with conscious lyrics (“Jette ton arme” means “Get rid of your gun”).
Wendyyy — “Yo Mele”
Originally from Haiti, Wendyyy left at age 13 to move to Guadeloupe. Still but 24, the man otherwise known as Duvert Wendy is an up-and-comer on the Rap Kreyol scene. This track, “Yo Mele”, makes use of a heavy dubstep riddim, bringing the darkness of deep bass to the sunny Caribbean. It works. Another Rap Kreyol one-to-watch is NDX, whose electro-laced “Yolo” is worth a spin.
Youssoupha — “Les Disques de Mon Père”
Yes, Youssoupha is from Congo, but the rhumba-blues based “Les Disques de Mon Père” (meaning “My Father’s Records”) is played anywhere folks speak French. It’s a tremendous tune that brings Africa to France to the Caribbean and round back again.
Fantom — “Men Chalè a”
One of the members of pioneering Haitian rap group Barikad Crew who wasn’t tragically lost in the 2010 earthquake, Fantom’s auto-tuned flow is here punctuated with “Where my boys at?,” a hook that the Anglos in the house can understand.
Mc-Sou — “BBM”
Haitians love their Blackberries. Heck, across the Caribbean, it’s much more likely to see the cool kids flash blackberries than an iphone. Not only does this track hail the greatness of the BB, but it does so against the background of a hyphy-like bouncing bass that sounds more Bay Area than from the land of Barbancourt.
Honorable Mention: Paille ft. Konshens — “Assez”
Yes, this track came out in late 2011, but it really hit in the spring of 2012. Paille’s Martiniquan chatting matches perfectly with Jamaica’s Konshens.
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