Haitian Hip Hop

Haitian Hip Hop or Hip Hop Kreyol is music originating from Haiti and sung by artists of Haitian descent. The most popular form of this is the rising of 'Ipap Kreyòl' or Kreyòl Hip Hop. Often, hardcore beats are used while the artist raps in kreyòl. Kreyòl hip hop, have since the early 80's been part of the Haitian culture, with groups such as Original Rap Staff, Rap Kreyol S.A, masters Of Haiti, Supa Deno, Prince Berlin & Muzion to name a few but lately has become very popular with Haitian youth.

Many Haitian rap artists have had rough childhoods and difficult living conditions producing rappers who address socio-economic topics in their lyrics. Though similar to mainstream American hip hop in that materialistic imagery is portrayed or lyricized, the negative aspects of less fortunate Haitian society, such as topics concerning slum life, gang warfare, the drug trade, and poverty, are much more common.

The most well-known exports of Haitian hip hop are two members of the legendary Grammy Award-winning hip hop group, the Fugees, Wyclef Jean and his cousin Pras Michel (a.k.a. Pras). Most recently, Christopher FREEDOM Laroche released his inspirational debut album Liberation 1804, Kerns (Mr OK) Olirice released first EP ( Men Mwen), Barikad Crew, Brimad, Pick Up click, briganDie, Team Lobey, Dezod Beats etc... which quickly gained popularity among the Haitian population. However, the godfather of hip hop in Haiti is the late Master Dji, who not only released the first Haitian rap song in the early 1980s, formed the group Rap Kreyol S.A., but was also the first Haitian DJ and also influential in encouraging other young Haitians such as Supa Deno, Dj Fanfan and Dj live to become rappers, DJs, and breakdancers.