He is one of the most talented musicians of his generation and, two years after the most devastating tragedy of 2010, the Haiti earthquake, touched the hearts of Haitians around the world, he released an anthem to his country, “Ayti Se” (Haiti is Haiti).
Michael Benjamin, better known by his stage name Mika Benjamin, died Saturday after collapsing on stage in Paris during a performance by Haitian compass band CaRiMi.
“This is a shock,” Haitian-born hip-hop artist and three-time Grammy Award winner Wyclef Jean told the Miami Herald.
Jean Said and Mika Ben were playing together in New York on Haitian-born DJ and producer Michael Blanc’s Bayo Musical Tour. I brought the artist to the jam session.
“All I remember was his smile,” Jean says, recalling how she held him in her arms, adding, “He was the most influential and inspirational person of our generation.” I’m one of the young artists to give.”
Mikaben’s death was first confirmed in tweets by social media influencer Karel Pedre and Franz Duval, editor of Haiti’s Le Nouvéliste newspaper.
Attempts to revive him came live on Twitter as Duvall tweeted live from the concert, warning fans that something was wrong, and singer Michael Gilland asking everyone to leave. The concert is over, and the room must be evacuated, says Michael Gillan.”It’s very complicated,” he said. “Prayers are needed” for Mikaben, said the CaRiMi singer. People passed out in their rooms.
The artist apparently fainted after finishing his performance and leaving the stage. Later, Pedre, who was at the concert, said he was on CPR. The Haitian music world, including his fellow artists and management, CaRiMi, were shocked when he confirmed that he had passed away.
“I can’t believe it,” singer Roberto Martino said through tears. “This is someone I’ve worked with for years and considered a brother, a good friend. We talked almost every day. We chatted together.”
Martino told the Herald just before he and Mika Ben took the stage in Paris. It was one of the greatest achievements of my life, the band that he admired, I’m speechless, I’m broken.
“Mika was one of the most talented artists I have ever met in my life,” added Martino. “He’s one of the humblest men. I’ve never heard him get angry or curse at anyone. It’s just sad. I can’t believe it.”
Born in Port-au-Prince to renowned singer Lionel Benjamin and his wife Roseline, Mika Ben was one of Haiti’s most talented young singers and songwriters. He began his writing at the age of 15 and continued to hone his skills while attending college in Montreal, Canada. He later entered the popular song contest, Christmas Telemax, and placed fourth with his song “Nwel Tristes” (A Sad Christmas).
Soon, he embarked on a solo career, building fan bases in Haiti, Europe, the French Caribbean, and the United States. In 2004 he released his second album and a year later he formed his group Krezi Mizik with his cousin David Dupoux. They decided that after releasing his two albums, Mikaben, a multilingual singer who sang in English, would return to his solo artist career in 2009.・Vice and CaRiMi, touring with the latter, and even filling in holes.
After the 2010 earthquake, he recorded “Ayti Se” (Haiti Is) in front of former President Bill Clinton and mourners about the disaster that killed more than 300,000 people and left 1.5 million homeless. The song and video reminded me of the beauty of this country.
Always approachable and kind, Mikaben drew inspiration for the song from the tragedy itself and a desire to remind the Haitian people that they are greater than they were in the past. He sang about the different cultural elements found throughout the country, regardless of where Haitians come from or live.
“The songs are really great,” his brother Lionel told the Herald in 2012.
In an interview with the Palm Beach Post after the quake, Mikaven said he was in the mountains when the quake struck. He didn’t think it was all that bad, but as he drove through the streets of the capital, where a billboard depicting his face was sometimes the only one standing on the street, he immediately realized it was.
He soon formed the organization Ti Souf Ayiti with the support of the Ministry of Culture. Along with other artists who survived the devastation, he visited and performed in refugee camps, hospitals and orphanages.
Saturday’s concert in Paris was one of the Haitian band’s biggest events, attracting thousands of fans lighting up their phones during energetic performances by Mika Ben, Gilland and Richard Cave.
The youngest of three siblings, Mika Ben married Vanessa Fanfang in November 2020, has a daughter and is expecting another child. He also has a son from a previous relationship.
In addition to his wife and children, Mikaben is survived by his parents, siblings, and a large fan base.
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