DAN REKEN
Created on 23/09/2022Latest update on 28/11/2023
Artist: Richard Brisson
Author: Richard Brisson
Label: Radio Haïti Archive
Year: 1980
French creole for The Shark's Teeth, supposed to be softer than prison cell bars. Written by a poet and journalist with Radio Haïti, where poetry was used to stay out of state sensors hands. This poem tells the story of all Haitian boatpeople facing terrible dangers en route to freedom (Omaj mizikal pou botpipel ayisyen (Hommage musical pour boatpeople Haïtien). Brisson was killed by the Duvalier regime in '82.
Covers:
- 2022:
Leyla McCalla [on her Haitian album Breaking The Thermometer (to hide the fever); clearly using (uncredited) elements of the Theme From Exodus (see there); which makes sense considering the diaspora context]
