After the breakout success of “Yo kase tèt DG a” in Haiti, a song that generated both controversy and acclaim, the track has now been given a new lease on life through a remix featuring a foreign artist. Leo Leo’s “Afriken an,” now joined by the voice of Bulin, is making waves with two voices coming together to bridge the island.
Some celebrations open doors; others break through barriers. In just two days, the music video released on August 14 has already surpassed three million views on YouTube. It is a remarkable achievement for a rabòday track, a distinctly Haitian musical genre that is often pushed to the margins of mainstream music discussions. With Bulin bringing his own sound to the remix, the song appears to pay little attention to borders.
The track also racked up 1.2 million views in just 24 hours, quickly becoming a YouTube trend in the Dominican Republic. Part of the music video was filmed in Cap-Haïtien and brings together Haitian national colors with those of its neighboring country. Rarely has a musical collaboration between the two sides of the island resonated so strongly, both musically and visually.
The “Leo Leo” remix represents an important milestone in the career of Haitian entertainer Afriken an. It could open the door to Latin America while giving rabòday an opportunity to reach new audiences beyond Haiti—a genre that has too often been overlooked.
