Paul Beaubrun descends from Haitian music royalty. His parents, Lolo and Mimerose Beaubrun, are the founders and leaders of the legendary racine band Boukman Eksperyans. Paul broke out on his own with his second album Ayibobo(2018), featured on Afropop’s From Haiti to the World, and the subject of many rave reiews. He followed up with Rasanbleman (Red Moon) in 2020. Paul also played an integra role in Jackson Brown’s Artists for Peace and Justice project in Haiti, which resulted in a remarkable collaborative album, Let the Rhythm Lead (2020).
Paul’s 2024 album Limyè A La charts new ground for the artist. It’s a beautiful, at times deeply sensitive album, a real contrast with his roaring, rocking set at the 2025 globalFEST event at Lincoln Center in January. The album opener, “Fey,” unfolds as a softly-delivered prayer with gorgeous vocal harmonies and chiming guitar notes. Then the album lifts into crisp grooves with strong, clean vocals, only sparingly ranging into the soaring gut-cries he’s more than capable of, especially in live shows. “Congo Man” is a soothing, soulful anthem backed by acoustic guitar á la “Redemption Song,” percussion and a lush vocal chorus. “They Say” is a reggae soul number featuring a bracing shot of Beaubrun’s searing electric guitar style. “Something to Remember” is slinky and funky, showcasing a different color of his vocal, cool and dry. In all, it’s an album that shows impressive musical growth from irrepressibly creative and forward-thinking artist.
Afropop’s Banning Eyre caught up with Paul just after his soundcheck at globalFEST for a brief catch-up chat. Here’s their conversation.
Banning Eyre: Paul, great to see you again.
Paul Beaubrun: Nice to see you brother. Always.
To start on a heavy note, I understand that today [January 12, 2025] is the 15th anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. A lot of water under the bridge since then, right?
A lot has happened. But at the same time, it’s a time to celebrate, celebrate the resilience of all Haitians. We all know someone or something that happened then. But now it’s a time to see how far we’ve come. Here we are still today, inspiring people, playing music, still going on with life in a positive way. Smiling. It’s not easy. But the most beautiful thing about being Haitian is that no matter what the adversity, we’re ready. And we’re ready to provide that through music, through inspiration. So what more can you ask?
That’s it. That’s beautiful. So what have you been up to lately? What’s new in your world, Paul?
Man, it’s been it’s been very busy for me in 2024, into 2025. I’ve been touring a lot. With my solo project, I dropped a new album June called Limyè A La, and I was on tour for that album. Then I was with Arcade Fire, a little bit to Europe and South America. We did Lolopaluza. And then I was with my parents, Boukman Eksperyans. We’re touring also. I do the musical direction for them now, so it’s been a busy year. I’ve been out for six months now, and I’m finally going home next week.
The last time we talked, home was here in New York City.
In New York, yeah. But now I’m in New Orleans, between New Orleans and Haiti.
New Orleans is a real center for Haitian culture these days, isn’t it?
That’s what we’re doing. I’m there now. Of course, Win [Butler] and Régine [Chassagne, both of Arcade Fire] are there. Régine is Haitian. So she’s been there for 10 plus years, I think now. And then we have Ram there also with Richard Morse. So it’s like we have some really good dynamic, good energy going right now.
Very cool. Let’s talk about your latest album, Limyè A La.
Yeah, it came out on Ropeadope Records. It’s a produced by one of my good friends, Michael Moore. It’s like more an Afrobeat, Caribbean, Haitian vibe. It’s done really well. We reached some new fans. It made a lot of good things happen; good collaborations came through it. So it’s an album that I’m really, really proud of.
Tell me about the title.
Limyè A La, means “the light within.” And the funny thing is, I put out the album in June and then I start living the album. I don’t know how to explain it. Each song became part of my life until now, until today. I’m like, “Wow. Every song means something new. I’m living that song now.”
Tell me about a couple of the songs.
There’s one song I’m playing tonight, “Voye Jete,” which is very important. It’s a quote from Dutty Boukman during the Haitian Revolution, when he was talking about throwing away that image of God that doesn’t serve us, because a God cannot want you to be slave and be OK with that. You know? God is love. That’s what we believe in. So we cannot believe in a God that wants certain people to be slaves and certain people to be masters. So he says throw away that image. Embrace ourselves. Listen to the voice of liberty in your heart. So that’s the idea of the song.
That’s a great song, really punchy. Tell me about your touring group. Is this the group you made the album with?
No. Some of them played a little bit in it. I don’t know if you recognize the bass player when you saw the soundcheck.
I do recognize the bass player. From Boukman?
Boukman, yeah. That’s Daniel Beaubrun. He produced most of the albums… Well, the Grammy-nominated album, Vodou Adjae [Mango, 1991]. And he produced two or three more. So he’s like the OG, the legend. And he’s my uncle, my dad’s brother. So I’m very, very happy to have someone like that supporting me tonight.
I bet. So you’ve been touring six months and heading home next week. That makes tonight something of a grand finale.
I’m super excited for a little bit of break and then start working with Arcade Fire next week
So many interesting things going on in New Orleans these days. I need to get down there. I bet you know our friend Weedie Braimah.
Yes. Of course always smiling, always playing.
Yes, a beautiful character. And of course you know him. He knows everybody. He was in New York recently, at the Blue Note.
OK. Yeah, yeah. When I saw his band as Blue Note, I was shocked. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. It was mind-blowing.
This last time, he had Pedrito Martinez joining in. They were amazing together. So, so after this break, what are your future plans?
Well, we’re here today for globalFest to see the music, to feel what’s happening. I love what’s happening here in the musical family. I love the energy. I’m hoping to do more with Haitian music, that style of roots music. We want to bring it back, to the next level.
This is a time when it’s easy to be discouraged. A lot of bad things are happening.
Yeah, but I also felt a lot of good energy being here these last few days, you know? The music is strong still. The spirit is there.
Amen. Have a great set and I’ll see you out there at globalFEST.
Of course.
To close, here’s audio from the recent Sugarshack Sessions.
