zouk - Haiti Observer Blog

Zouk music originally sprouted from Martinique and Guadeloupe, islands in the Caribbean. Characterized by an energetic beat, it emerged in the 80s through the success of Kassav', a French Antillean band.

Zouk, derived from cadence music, found popularity with fans of Exile One and Grammacks. Sung in Créole, Zouk distinguishes itself as recording music. Music artists often dominate the form, subsuming the players.

Translated, Zouk means festival, well-named because it uses carnival rhythms and contains West African influences. Innovative Zouk band, Exile One, incorporated U.S. Rock and Soul genrés, propelling Zouk mania throughout Martinique and Guadeloupe.

But Kassav' is the group that brought it to world-wide prominence. Kassav' added the sounds of Reggae, Salsa, and Compás to their compositions, attaining status as the "most popular, pioneering, and enduring band", according to one music industry executive. Zouk concerts over time adopted U.S., Australian, and European Heavy Metal influences, catching on like wildfire around the globe, particularly in emerging nations.

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Born on January 7, 1973, in Saint Claude on the West Indian Island of Guadeloupe, Jocelyn Labylle was attracted to the world of show business at an early age. Her dream of sequins and gloss was largely fostered by her mother's success as a dancer in Karabina, the most famous folklore dance group in Guadeloupe. In 1992 Labylle joined the group Elodie; in 1994 she joined Zouk Orchestra. She appeared on the covers of all their albums. In 2000, Jocelyn Labylle returned to this studio to record her second album. She released the single "J'ai depose les clefs," which means I left my keys. The single was followed by the album Ma Petite Lumiere (My little light). The album features "Parle-moid'elle" and was written by Harry Diboula.

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