One year since Haitian rapper MechansT’s disappearance: No updates, family and friends remain unhealed

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Although an entire year has passed since rapper Jonathan Wens Désir, better known by his stage name MechansT, went missing, fellow rapper Gandhi Dorsonne has yet to begin the healing process. Just a month ago, Dorsonne broke down in tears while discussing musical projects with Désir’s brother, Steeven Désir, during a WhatsApp call.

“I choose to keep dreaming. Even if they don’t see his body after 20, 30 years, I will keep dreaming [of seeing him again],” Dorsonne said in a WhatsApp interview with The Haitian Times on June 30.

Dorsonne had known Désir since their teenage years, growing up together in Port-au-Prince. He often brought Désir to his radio show, Hip Hop Time, helping introduce him to Haiti’s rap scene. After Désir went missing, Dorsonne said he would sometimes feel the rapper walking beside him or sitting with him in a car. He can still hear Désir’s voice calling him “maestro” or “bro,” with a slight stutter.

Désir went missing on July 4, 2024, along with 40 to 60 passengers, from a boat attempting to travel from the Bahamas to the United States illegally. U.S. Marshals arrested the presumed boat owner, Emilien Haly, on Sept. 6, 2024. Four other men were also linked to the illegal trip but have not been arrested. Despite Haly’s arrest, there have been no further developments in the investigation, leaving Désir’s family, friends and fans in uncertainty about his whereabouts or whether he is dead or alive. 

Clifford Dumé, another Haitian singer, also went missing in August 2024 in the Dominican Republic but was found alive after five days in the woods with a cord and two pieces of garlic tied around his neck. Two artists went missing in 2024—still, there has been no clear, detailed information about either case.

The slow investigation of Désir’s case, if any, particularly highlights the lack of care for Haitian entertainers. Chero Chérident, Désir’s production manager, condemned the Haitian government for its lack of action after Désir went missing.

“It’s been a year now since Haitians went missing from a boat and the State [Haitian government] hasn’t done anything,” Chérident said. 

“The State didn’t even send a delegation or conduct an investigation. Forget about Mech being an artist—other people also went missing and the State didn’t do anything. I’m disappointed,” he lamented.

Chérident said Désir had planned to release an album this year featuring only female artists. He added that the rapper left behind nearly three albums’ worth of unreleased music.

Three albums worth of unreleased songs

“Since he’s missing right now and there’s no legal ruling stating he’s no longer here, those songs will stay inside,” Chérident said. 

Like Dorsonne, Chérident said he still hasn’t healed. He misses the days when Désir would leave him voice messages at 3 a.m., eager to talk about new projects.

“I can’t get used to this [Désir going missing], especially when there hasn’t been closure,” Chérident said. “I can’t heal because there’s no closure yet.”

Désir’s family members are still grieving. His older brother Steeven’s WhatsApp profile picture shows a photo of the two of them standing together. He also frequently posts videos of Désir on his WhatsApp status. Désir’s wife, Baboushie Désir, has a picture of herself with the rapper as her profile photo on her social media accounts. She also regularly posts videos of Désir on her status.

“To me, you never left,” Baboushie Désir posted on Instagram on June 26. “You just disappeared in a way the world can’t understand. But every wave on the ocean is bringing your name until we meet again. I will always look at the ocean with hope, with love.”

An American dream that never started amid the ordeal

Désir reportedly paid $8,000 to Haly to take him to the U.S. on the boat. Four other men—three of whose last names remain unknown—allegedly involved in organizing the trip include Peter, who helped arrange the travel plans; Elinair “Pick” Petitphat and Sandie Corneille, who received funds; Willy, who worked with Haly and was initially identified as the boat owner; and Lubin, who was responsible for bringing passengers to their final destination after they arrived in the U.S., Chérident said.

It is unknown why these individuals have not been arrested. The Royal Bahamas Police Force has not replied to The Haitian Times’ email seeking comments on the case.

Désir was one of the very few Haitian artists who could not travel to the U.S., so he desperately wanted to do so. His wife was already in the U.S., which reportedly gave him another reason to move there. 

“I hope we learn from this,” Chérident said. “You’re not supposed to rush things, wait for your time. God’s timing. The U.S. isn’t everything. You can go to Canada, you can go to France, to the West Indies.”

A rapper like no others

Désir was one of the top Haitian rappers in the early 2020s, gaining the love of scores of rap Creole fans. He called his die-hard fans ekstraterès, Creole for aliens, and often wore light green. One of Désir’s strengths as a rapper was his heartfelt lyrics through love songs and songs about Haiti’s struggles. One of his top hits is Men lap fè san, Creole for “Look, it’s a bloodbath,” a song about receiving punishment for stealing.

Some feel empty when they listen to Désir’s music now because the whereabouts of the rapper is unknown.

“He was an artist with a lot of talents who had rhymes and skills,” Faïde Urbainor, 31, a Cap-Haïtien resident, said. “But I get no vibe really from listening to his music nowadays. He has to be here for us to give him love.”

Outside of music, Désir was known as the life of the party for his constant jokes and playful teasing. He also had a penchant for flashy clothes, which once earned him the nickname Ti Swagger, Dorsonne said.

While Dorsonne mourns for Désir, whom he considers his little brother, he finds endless joy when he listens to MechansT because his songs bring hope.

“MechansT’s songs can’t make you sad because MechansT himself is a ball of pleasure,” Dorsonne said. “But then, for Jonathan, I asked myself, how could we have lost him? At 33 years old, he was only a kid.”

The post One year since Haitian rapper MechansT’s disappearance: No updates, family and friends remain unhealed appeared first on The Haitian Times.