“Ou pati kité mwen, pou bèl moman nou té pasé, kounye an nou blije separe, se sa li ye…” (“You left me, despite the good times we had, now we have to part, it’s like that”)… It’s on the lyrics of his tube Or patient that Michael Benjamin alias Mikaben closed his last performance on stage in front of more than 10,000 spectators, at the Accor Arena (Bercy) in Paris, on Saturday October 15.
The 41-year-old singer was one of the guests of the reunion concert of the Haitian group Carimi, six years after its dissolution, with which he had collaborated on numerous occasions. An hour after this “bèl moman” with the public, shortly after midnight, the Haitian artist was declared dead following a heart attack. A sudden disappearance that leaves in mourning his relatives, his friends and his fans. Since then, tributes have followed, from Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry to international artists from Haiti – such as Wyclef Jean and Jason Derulo – to salute the memory of this benchmark of Haitian music, proud of 20 years of career.
An Ambassador of Haiti
“Michaël Benjamin was a complete artist who proudly promotes Haitian music as well as our two-tone. Humble, he had the joy of living, ”writes Melcky Alcénat to us, who responded to our call for testimonies on the most beautiful memories you will keep of the singer. His favorite song was Ayiti seone of Mikaben’s iconic titles released in 2012, two years after the earthquake that shook his island Haiti, causing the death of 316,000 people.
“He left, with the flag of his country, beloved Haiti, on his shoulders, which had become too weak that evening. An artist who worked for his country, his language, his culture, for all Haitians, and also beyond borders. He will not be forgotten. We mourn him loudly today, but we will sing loudly with him forever,” Sam pays tribute to him. “He was a humble man, very simple. Unparalleled talent. It’s a great loss for Haitian music,” says CL, who offers his condolences to “his wife, children and family.” Mikaben would soon be the father of three children, a son Gaby born from a previous union, and a daughter Leïa whom he welcomed with his wife. Vanessa Fanfan Benjamin, who is currently pregnant with their second child. He dedicated the song to her Marry Meon which he had made his marriage proposal.
“One of my first CDs when I was a kid was Haitian Troubadours,” recalls Christelle. “Album by which he made himself known by interpreting this song which will always remain in our minds, Or patient. A song that has just taken on its full meaning with the sudden disappearance of Mikaben, ”she is moved. Wislet loves the tunes Si’m Te Gen Zèl and Nwel Tristes. The latter notably allowed him to finish fourth in the popular singing competition, the Christmas Telemax, in Montreal where he was studying.
Fans still in shock
Unconditional fan of “Mika” since the early 2000s, Jean-Marc followed the Carimi concert from social networks. He cherishes many of his titles Or patient, Fanm its move, Lè m’ wè Where, Back to backsolo, but also the songs Pa Cheke Krezi and Negosye with the konpa group Krezi Mizik which he founded in 2005, and Pou mwen in collaboration with the Guadeloupean singer Leïla Chicot.
Katrina, too, could not make it to the concert, but unfortunately saw the images of the artist’s discomfort on social networks. “I don’t have the words to describe the pain I have inside of me. It traumatized me, I have anxiety attacks, I hardly sleep, ”she confides to us. Chris, meanwhile, was present at the Accor Arena with a “bird’s eye view of the dramatic stage”. “Until the end Mikaben was smiling. However, very sweaty quickly when he had just come on stage, ”she describes to us. His song was a bit prescient… It was a great performance, but I’m still shocked. »
Monday evening, artists – including the singers of Carimi Mickael Guirand and Richard Cave –, politicians like the Haitian ambassador to France Josué Dahomey, fans and anonymous people came to gather in his memory in front of the entrance to the dressing rooms of the Accor Arena, in Paris Bercy, laying wreaths of flowers and candles.