Mikaben
Mikaben (Michael Benjamin) was born in 1981 in Port-au-Prince, Haïti. Son of the well-known singer Lionel Benjamin. Mikaben is brought up in a musical environment and iat a very early age was introduced to piano, guitar, bass, and later, the drums. At age 15, Mikaben wrote his first song, passionate about music he continues to write music while in college abroad in Canada.
From Montreal, Mikaben enters an annual Christmas song contest organized by a broadcast television station "TELEMAX", and his song "Nwèl Tristès" (Sad Christmas), won fourth position, and wins him the hearts of the Haitian public. From this big success, Mikaben decided to focus on his musical carrier and recorded his first solo album "VWAYAJ" (which means Journey in creole) in Marco Volcy’s studio in Montreal. The album is realeased in December 2000 and his song « Ou Pati », doesn't go unnoticed by producer Fabrice Rouzier who includes it in the « Haïti Troubatour » project (70.000 copies sold with the help of Mikaben's hit song), which propells Mikaben’s carreer beyond Haiti and introduces him in the Antilles, Europe and Africa.
In May 2004, Mikaben releases his second album "MIKA" which opens doors for him especially in Canada where he participates in many festivals such as « les Francofolies de Montréal ».Back in Haïti in March 2005, Mikaben forms the Konpa group "KREZI MIZIK" with his cousin David Dupoux, and puts his Solo career on the back burner.
Mikaben releases two albums with the group "AYITI SAN MANTI" (a studio album and a live version), and tours within the United States, Canada, the Antilles, France, and Belgium.His involvement in KREZI though doesn’t keep him from satisfying his fans with solo gigs such as « Mikaben and friends ».In June 2009, Mikaben decides to dedicate himself to his Solo career, and departs from the group as lead vocal in september 2009.
Since, while touring, he has been working on finishing his third album which he plans to release sometime in the near future.Today, Mikaben also works as a producer with several artists and bands such as Carimi for whom he produces the hit "Fanm sa move", T-Vice with "Fe m vole" and Kreyol La "Y'ap fe foli" amongst others.
NEW PROJECTS
"AYITI SE"
Through the project “Ayiti Se” Mikaben, gave himself as personal mission, through his art, to promote his country, highlighting its roots, natural resources, culture and history.
Through a documentary Mikaben takes us on a journey through Haiti. Accompanied by musician friends, radio and television hosts, he brings us not only to visit many of Haiti's natural and historical sites, but also rediscover its culture. This documentary, rich in images of Haiti is scheduled to be screened in Haiti and abroad.
“I made this documentary as a reminder to the world that Haiti remains the ‘Pearl of the Antilles.’ I also want to encourage our people to use this song as a motivation, to remind them of the greatness of our nation” said Mikaben.
For 28 weeks from June 14, 2013, Mikaben has been touring Haiti and invites everyone to come along with him to explore but moreover, rediscover Haiti. This tour will be broadcast around the country through televised series, weekly newspaper articles and through various online social networking platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
Websites:
http://www.twitter.com/mikaben
https://www.facebook.com/mikaben.ht
For information, please contact:
Telephone: 202-681-0222
Email: info@lakouassociation.org
Mail: Lakou Association Leadership Gala Awards
2007 Osborn Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Courtesy of Michel Soucar
