Lakou Mizik (Haiti)

Lakou Mizik is a multigenerational collective of Haitian musicians formed in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. Bringing together elder legends and young talents, the group’s mission is to honor Haiti’s cultural resilience and share a message of strength, hope and pride through music. Their sound blends traditional styles like rara and vodou rhythms with contemporary influences, reflecting Haiti’s African, French and Caribbean roots. Lakou Mizik has performed across the globe and collaborated with artists from New Orleans and beyond. The band’s name, lakou, refers to a communal gathering place in Haitian Kreyòl, symbolizing both home and heritage.

Featured Songs:

“Poze” (Stay Calm), from the band’s 2016 Cumbancha album Wa Di Yo and showcased on Putumayo Discovery's World Beach Party, is an energetic yet grounded track that encourages calmness and self-assurance in the face of gossip, conflict and judgment. The chorus draws from a traditional rara refrain, taking a defiant tone: “Stay calm people, stay calm / The people who badmouth me / I don’t pay them any attention.” While boasting of strength and resilience, the lyrics also carry a deeper message about personal integrity and emotional composure. With layered percussion, call-and-response vocals and a carnival-like energy, the song exemplifies how Haitian music can carry both celebration and commentary.

Featured on Coffee Culture, “Peze Kafe” (Ground Coffee) is a beloved Haitian folk song that tells the story of a young boy who is on his way to town to sell his harvest of coffee when he is wrongly accused and arrested. In Lakou Mizik’s version, the band expands the traditional tale, adding verses that deepen the emotion and humanity of the story. Over the group’s trademark blend of drums, accordion, and call-and-response vocals, the boy’s voice rises in panic and innocence: “My friends, what will I say when I get home? / My father is waiting for the coffee money.” Through its lively rara-inspired groove and vivid narrative, “Peze Kafe” honors the endurance and spirit of ordinary Haitians, turning a small tragedy into a joyful expression of communal empathy and survival.

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