Boukman Eksperyans

The band's name, Boukman Eksperyans, signals their radical stance through reference to the slave Boukman who sparked the 1804 uprising that secured the island's independence. Recognizing the inseparable link between liberty and cultural expression, this group of ten members performs in creole, a language subject to occasional prohibitions, while fusing motifs from African religions with urban vernacular in an exuberant, hybrid homage to Haitian voodoo traditions. Bold vocal expression in Haiti often provokes suppression, as evidenced by the first-place victory of "Wet Chenn" (Remove the Chains) in a 1989 contest contrasted with the prohibition of their 1992 submission. Amidst a climate of military turmoil and state-imposed restrictions, Boukman Eksperyans face perception as a subversive force. Consequently, their 1990 track "Kem Pa Sote" faced exclusion from Haitian broadcasts. The initial Boukman Eksperyans release in the U.S. came with 1991's Vodou Adjae, followed by further releases such as 1992's Kalfou Dangare, 1995's Libete/Freedom (Let's Take It!), and 1999's Live at Red Rocks. Mid-2000 saw the arrival of Kanaval Rasin-Vodou Adja.