Haitian reggae pioneer ‘GBX’Jean-Baptiste dies at 39

PORT-DE-PAIX — Reggae artist Adras Jean-Baptiste, better known as GBX, died on April 15 at his home in Anse-à-Foleur after battling an illness for nearly six months, according to his family. He was 39. 

His music, which tackled insecurity, poverty, and prejudice, helped shape Haiti’s small but powerful reggae scene, earning him respect as one of the genre’s most grounded voices of social truth.

“We don’t sing what we don’t live — we sing what we live,” said his brother, Yslet Jean-Baptiste. 

A native of Anse-à-Foleur, 17 miles east of Port-de-Paix, Jean-Baptiste moved to the capital in 2005 to begin his music career and transitioned fully to reggae by 2015. He left Port-au-Prince several months before his death to return to his hometown in the Northwest region, his brother told The Haitian Times.

GBX gave voice to Haitian realities through reggae

Jean-Baptiste’s music career began in Creole rap at 19 but he then quickly found his artistic identity in reggae. While reggae remains a niche genre in Haiti, Jean-Baptiste believed it offered the freedom to speak openly about the country’s social issues. That passion led him to become one of Haiti’s most recognized reggae voices.

He founded the group Sektè Rasta—or Rasta Sector—20 years ago in Anse-à-Foleur, His younger brother Yslet also performed with the group.

“We noticed that most Haitian konpa music only talks about love between men and women,” Yslet said. “But they don’t touch on the problems within the Haitian community.”

“Our source of motivation, our inspiration, is everything that happens before our eyes; it’s real life,” he added. “We don’t sing what we don’t live, we sing what we live.”

Describing Haitian reality in Jamaican reggae musical rhythm

Jean-Baptiste released two albums with 17 songs over his career. His most popular tracks—“Nèg yo pa vle wèm” (The guys don’t like me), “Mal paka fini” (Evil can’t end), and “Renmen lajan amò” (Love money to death)—earned him a loyal following for their raw lyrics and storytelling.

In “Di mwen” (Tell me), Jean-Baptiste addressed the country’s worsening insecurity. He called out notorious armed gang leaders sowing terror across the country urging peace and disarmament.

“Our greatest achievement with this group is not the amount of money we brought in, but our greatest success is that our music manages to touch on the real problems of our society,” Yslet added.

Though best known for his music, Jean-Baptiste also worked as a plumber, mason, welder, and ironworker. He began his studies at Baptiste Béthanie Evangelical School and later earned a rhetoric degree from Blaise Pascal College in Port-au-Prince.

Between 2011 and 2015, he recorded his most memorable hits—“Nèg yo pa vle wèm” and “Renmen lajan amò”—songs that continue to echo through his community.

Fans remember GBX’s voice and vision

As news of his death spread, fans from Anse-à-Foleur and beyond poured out tributes online.

“Gone in peace, artist, Anse-à-Foleur people will never forget you,” wrote Sabrina Gaëlle Souffrant. “Your music will remain engraved in the memory of Anse-à-Foleur people and in the memory of everyone. Your words had gold in them.”

To many, GBX was more than an artist—he was a mirror for rural life in Haiti.

“Today I’m spending all day playing your music, my legend,” said Jeff Wyde Eliazard. “I believe that your soul is resting in peace, my friend, always give me respect.”

For others, his legacy is already cemented.

“Your music is playing everywhere I go. You’ve already done your job, you’re immortal bro, fly high,” Edouar Evens wrote.

Jean-Baptiste’s funeral services will be held Saturday, April 26, in Anse-à-Foleur.

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