The art of resistance: 10 Haitian slam poets making waves | Part 2

From Jouinie Angélica Michel, known as Angelle l’Authentique, who shattered barriers as the first female National Slam Champion, to Jean Joseph Makanaki Audain, whose multilingual artistry bridges cultures from his base in Chile, these voices carry Haitian slam poetry’s mission as a form of protest and self-expression. Ketchna Septama, or “Kech,” channels personal experiences with violence into evocative pieces that resonate deeply with Haiti’s most vulnerable. As profiled in detail here, these slam poets exemplify the art form’s enduring power to inspire, heal, and demand justice. 

Here are five more Haitian slammers who continue to push boundaries, crafting poignant odes to themes of love, societal morals, and the lived experiences of Haitians both in Haiti and across the diaspora.

Négresse Colas lives in the USA, but her roots are in Haitian slam

“Négresse Colas,” born Manicheca Colas, is a slam artist and writer who joined the game already having a collection of poetry. Before discovering slam, she honed her skills performing in churches in Port-au-Prince. An entrepreneur and feminist, she is passionate about music and poetry.

“Slam is the most practical way to bring poetry into people’s daily lives. It’s a world created for me,” she says.

In Jan. 2019, she began her slam career with a collaboration with Nervno Fils de Plume. Her piece against violence towards women established her as a defender of women’s rights. She released “Espérance de verre” in 2020 and “Litani” in 2021, available on her YouTube channel. Now based in the United States, she is working on new projects.

Chouno Lamarre, known as “Slamarre” 

Chouno “Slamarre” Lamarre graduated in Dramatic Arts from ENARTS in 2016. Born in Torbeck, Haiti, he is an actor, web designer, dancer, and art professor at the Institut Monetane Saint Luc (APJ). Slamarre started slam poetry in 2010, after the earthquake, and quickly became a national champion. He embraced poetry as a means to raise awareness, inform, and educate people.

In 2024, he founded the Krèm-Lank Cultural Association, which organizes Haiti’s largest slam festival, where he serves as Artistic Director. Over time, he has become one of the most popular slammers in the country, performing at major events like the Slam Haiti Festival, CARIFESTA, and the National Carnival.

Though he hasn’t released an album yet, Slamarre has recorded several slam tracks, including “Ret Zanj,” “Takte Lanm,” “Trafiquant,” and “Ti Piano Made in USA.” He continues to be a key promoter of slam in Haiti.

Darby Syntya Eutaly Belizaire, a slammer by night

Darby Syntya Eutaly Belizaire is the voice that marks Haitian slam with her words and inspiring lyrics. Born in Port-au-Prince, a professional medical biologist and a passionate slammer, she has been writing and reciting texts since her 7th year of school, between 2008 and 2009. As she grew, she transitioned from declamation to slam, which became a “lifeline and a tool for sharing.”

In 2012, she joined the slam group Z’eau collectif, founded by rapper Wedly Mozeau. She went on to build a solo career lending her voice and lyrics to several projects, including the EP of slammer Condamné LSP and the album of Dydy Skyman, before releasing her first single “M pa féminis” in 2020.  

In April 2021, she released her first slam compilation titled “Condamnée,” a demo of four tracks exploring themes of passion, sensuality, longing, and frustration.

Yves Fredly Merizier, a fan of his slam works

Yves Fredly Merizier started his slam career under the name “Ren-Art.” An only child, he was born in Mirebalais and later grew up in Carrefour, where he discovered poetry in elementary school. In addition to his love for writing, he is a producer and entrepreneur, serving as CEO of the rum brand RA CACAO.

However, it was in 2019 that Ren-Art made a significant entry into the Haitian slam scene with his first studio project, Ayiti San koulè, after placing among the winners of the first edition of Krèm-Lank slam contest. From 2019 to 2021, Ren-Art recorded several tracks, including “Kòkòt ak Figaro,” “Valè Manman,” and “Ayiti Mal,” before releasing his first music video for the track Bèl Kreyati featuring Djay Brown. To solidify his presence in the slam community, he released his first slam compilation in February 2023, a six track composition.

Kerven Dessources, slammer known as “Vens le penseur”

Vens le Penseur, initially drawn to singing as a composer and maestro, began writing in 2010 while living with his grandmother. After completing high school, he studied legal sciences at the State University of Haiti. His passion for reciting texts led him to Haitian slam when he moved in with his mother, a talented storyteller.

In 2014, he performed at schools and churches, but fully embraced slam with his first concert in 2017. His work addresses social issues, particularly the Haitian experience, as seen in songs like “Vwazen,” “Foulosophe,” “Fils du système,” and “Non!”

In 2019, he was named Slammer of the Year and won the “Choc des Titans” competition. After becoming the 2018 champion of “Slam o Rap” and winning a contest in Mirebalais in 2017, he released his debut album, Foulosophe, in 2022, inspired by Haiti’s socio-political struggles.

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The art of resistance: 10 Haitian slam poets making waves | Part 2 was first posted on December 30, 2024 at 9:32 am.