“I’m happy and excited to announce that I signed with the great American indie label Ropeadope (Records),” tweeted Paul Beaubrun while announcing the release of his album Ayibobo on May 11.
The news came via social media as the son of Boukman Eksperyans legends, Manzè and Lòlò, prepared to release the video for his first single with the label, “Why don’t you love me.”
Beaubrun gave an exclusive interview to the Haitian Times and told us what this deal means for himself, Haitian culture and his music.
What does this deal with Ropeadope Records mean?
It means that there are labels out there that still accept real music and there’s an audience out there craving for something fresh. I knew instantly when I spoke with Louis Marks (CEO of Ropeadope Records) that we were on the same page in terms of message and the passion we both have to preserve good music.
How are you feeling about this new deal and what’s next?
I feel excited and honored to bring my culture and music to a global audience. It will give me the opportunity to tour more, collaborate with many great artists and have a platform to share my roots.
What’s next is my single “Why Don’t You Love Me” is coming out on April 13 and my album “Ayibobo” is coming out on May 11. The album release party will be in Brooklyn, NY with Boukman Eksperyans at Shapeshifter Lab presented by Haiti Cultural Exchange. Boukman and I are teaming up to tour in many cities for the Spring.
Is this a deal with your band Zing Experience or just you?
Anything that I do I will bring my band. This deal was solo but the band is naturally a part of it.
Beaubrun grew up immersed in music; his family formed Boukman Eksperyans, a mizik rasin band from Port-au-Prince. The band name is derived from Dutty Boukman, a leader of the 1791 slave revolt that started the Haitian Revolution. The family was forever tied to political upheaval in Haiti, and was once forced in exile — as a teen, Paul was playing ball in Port-au-Prince when he heard his mother on the radio, calling out to warn him of danger at their door. Beaubrun fled to New York, where he honed his craft and carried his Haitian perspective forward. A unique and transfixing sound he calls “roots/blues,” Paul weaves his impeccable guitar skills, rich, vocals, musical ingenuity and cultural history together; all while performing a smooth melange of English, French and Creole (the native tongue of his Haitian roots).