Mizik Mizik co-founder, Fabrice Rouzier, moves to stop distribution, performance of Joé Dwèt Filé’s ‘4 Kampé’ amid copyright lawsuit

PORT-DE-PAIX, Haiti — Haitian musician Fabrice Rouzier and music publisher

Among their demands:

• A preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting the reproduction, distribution, sale, public performance, or other use or exploitation of “4 Kampé” and “4 Kampé II.”
• A preliminary and permanent injunction against the “4 Kampé” music video.
• A permanent ban on the use of Rouzier’s persona, image, and likeness in connection with “4 Kampé” and “4 Kampé II.”
• An order requiring the destruction of all copies containing Rouzier’s unauthorized image.
• A separate injunction prohibiting Tonton Bicha from publicly performing “Je Vais” or any portions thereof without Rouzier’s prior written consent.

Rouzier also seeks compensatory and exemplary damages for the unauthorized use of his image.

They are also demanding recovery of attorneys’ fees and costs associated with the copyright and civil rights claims, along with declaratory relief affirming their exclusive rights.

Tonton Bicha, the famed Haitian comedian, is also named for publicly performing portions of “Je Vais” without authorization during a concert in Brooklyn, New York, on Nov. 29, 2024.

Streaming success brings legal consequences

Less than six months after the release of Joé Dwèt Filé’s “4 Kampé,” the song has proven enormously successful, boasting more than 70 million views on YouTube.

By contrast, Rouzier’s original “Je Vais” — from which Dwèt Filé allegedly sampled portions — has garnered about 459,000 views over a 10-year period. Although “Je Vais” was created in 2002, its relative reach remains much smaller.

The plaintiffs claim that “4 Kampé” had surpassed 100 million streams on YouTube Music by April 2025, arguing that the unauthorized use of “Je Vais” directly contributed to the song’s commercial success and the defendants’ profits.

The complaint further alleges that Joé Dwèt Filé, a French-Haitian artist, publicly acknowledged sampling “Je Vais” to create a stronger cultural connection with Haitian audiences. However, according to the lawsuit, this acknowledgment was not accompanied by any formal request for a license or authorization from the original creator.

“Dwèt Filé has admitted copying and sampling Mr. Rouzier’s Je Vais in his work 4 Kampe specifically because it is widely known among Haitians and they would recognize it,” the suit alleges. 

According to the suit, Joé Dwèt Filé admitted to copying Je Vais in his work 4 Kampe in an unnamed interview, where he said in French: “It’s the Troubadors Je Vais, so I really wanted to sample a part of Je Vais which all Haitians know in real life.”

Haitian Music Industry fans react

Across social media and beyond, fans of Joé Dwèt Filé have rallied behind the artist, praising his contributions to the industry through numerous musical releases even before the success of “4 Kampé.”

Some fans believe that a settlement between the two parties would be preferable to a drawn-out court battle, saying the dispute could be resolved without a formal ruling. Still, many emphasize that honoring the original creators’ rights is essential.

“Joé Dwèt Filé has not wronged Rouzier; on the contrary, he revived and promoted Rouzier’s work through ‘4 Kampé,’” said Eugens Nord, 24. “He has already charmed the world with the Konpa sound he brought to his version.”

“Rouzier knew very well that Tonton Bicha was part of the original music video for ‘Je vais,’ so he shouldn’t deserve this treatment. I think Bicha should claim his share of his rights in court; it’s unfair of Rouzier to do so,” said Mideline Aristide, a 16-year-old Joe Dwet File fan living in Port-de-Paix.

Meanwhile, Joé Dwèt Filé briefly reacted on Instagram following the announcement of the lawsuit, posting to Instagram, “You know music. I know it too. Let’s meet in court.” 

He thanked the Haitian community for their support, saying he had already received several messages.

“Thanks to all the Haitian community who sent me messages — I see them,” he wrote on Instagram. “No one will stop us from taking our cultural music as far as we can.”

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