INFORMATION
| Artist Birtday : | 26/03/1981(Age Léogâne, Haiti) |
| Born In : | Haiti/Florida |
| Occupation(s) : | Rapper, songwriter, performer |
| Genres : | Haitian Hip-Hop / Rap Kreyòl |
| Agent : | Hip Faktory, Tapajè Records, Barikad Crew |
Daniel Darinus, better known by his stage name Fantom, was born on March 26, 1981, in Léogâne, Haiti, and grew up in Port-au-Prince. The son of merchants Solange Orientale and Astrel Darinus, he attended schools such as Rosalvo Bobo, Frères Adrien, Les Normaliens Réunis, IEU, and Roussan Camille while developing a passion for music from a young age. By the age of 13, he had begun experimenting with dancehall before turning to rap, performing first with small groups like D-camp and S.O.S.
In 2002, Fantom co-founded Barikad Crew, a group that would go on to become one of the most important names in Haitian hip-hop. With its raw style, sharp lyrics, and ability to capture the frustrations of Haitian youth, the group helped elevate Rap Kreyòl to new prominence. Alongside his work with Barikad Crew, Fantom also pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album Men Nonm Nan in 2009 under Hip Faktory. He followed this with several acclaimed projects including Yo Gen Vè in 2010, the Salute series, Point Final, Reyenkanasyon, Rap Onorab, Nan Bòl Yo, and most recently Tololo in 2024.
Fantom’s career has been marked by both artistic triumphs and personal challenges. Barikad Crew suffered the tragic loss of members K-tafalk, Deja-Voo, and Dade in a car accident in 2008, and Young Cliff in the 2010 earthquake. In February 2015, Fantom himself narrowly escaped death when he came into contact with a high-voltage power line during a Carnival parade, causing a stampede that killed 18 people and injured dozens. Despite these traumas, he persevered, returning to music with renewed determination.
As one of the pioneers of Haitian rap, Fantom built a reputation for using his lyrics to highlight inequality, hardship, and the social realities of life in Haiti. His music has served as both entertainment and a form of social commentary, giving a voice to the frustrations of the youth and the marginalized.
Over more than three decades, Fantom has remained one of the central figures in Rap Kreyòl. Through his work with Barikad Crew and his solo projects, he has influenced an entire generation of artists and left an indelible mark on Haitian music. Today, he continues to record, perform, and uphold his role as one of the genre’s most enduring and respected icons.
Biyografi Fantom (Daniel Darinus)
Daniel Darinus, pi byen konnen sou non atis li Fantom, fèt 26 mas 1981 nan Léogâne, Ayiti, epi li grandi nan Pòtoprens. Li se pitit Solange Orientale ak Astrel Darinus ki te travay nan komès. Fantom te ale lekòl Rosalvo Bobo, Frères Adrien, Les Normaliens Réunis, IEU, ak Roussan Camille pandan li t ap devlope yon pasyon pou mizik depi li te jenn. A laj 13 an, li te kòmanse eseye nan dansol anvan li pran rap oserye, ap jwe ak ti gwoup tankou D-camp ak S.O.S.
An 2002, Fantom te vin youn nan manm fondatè Barikad Crew, yon gwoup ki vin tounen youn nan pi gwo poto nan rap kreyòl. Avèk stil brital, pawòl frapan ak kapasite pou tradui fristrasyon jèn Ayisyen yo, gwoup la te pouse Rap Kreyòl sou yon lòt nivo. Pandan li t ap travay ak Barikad Crew, Fantom te lanse tou yon karyè solo, lè li sòti premye albòm li Men Nonm Nan an 2009 anba Hip Faktory. Li kontinye ak plizyè lòt pwojè ki te resevwa anpil apèsi tankou Yo Gen Vè an 2010, seri Salute, Point Final, Reyenkanasyon, Rap Onorab, Nan Bòl Yo, ak dènye albòm li Tololo ki sòti an 2024.
Karyè Fantom lan make pa anpil bèl siksè men tou gwo difikilte pèsonèl. An 2008, Barikad Crew pèdi twa manm, K-tafalk, Deja-Voo ak Dade nan yon aksidan machin. Pandan tranbleman tè janvye 2010 la, yo pèdi lòt manm Young Cliff. An fevriye 2015, Fantom li menm te prèske pèdi lavi l pandan yon parad Kanaval lè li te pran kouran sou yon liy gwo vòltaj, yon trajedi ki te lakòz yon debandad kote 18 moun pèdi lavi yo e plizyè lòt te blese. Malgre tout sa, li te leve ankò e kontinye fè mizik ak plis detèminasyon.
Kòm youn nan pyonye rap ayisyen an, Fantom bati yon repitasyon sou pawòl l yo ki denonse inegalite, difikilte lavi ak reyalite sosyal nan peyi a. Mizik li sèvi kòm distraksyon men tou kòm yon fòm temwayaj sosyal, bay vwa ak fristrasyon jèn yo ak sila yo ki sou bò kote.
Depi plis pase trant ane, Fantom rete youn nan figi santral Rap Kreyòl. Avèk travay li nan Barikad Crew ansanm ak pwojè solo li yo, li enspire yon jenerasyon antye epi li make mizik ayisyen ak anprint li. Jodi a, li kontinye anrejistre, monte sou sèn epi kenbe plas li kòm youn nan senbòl ki pi respekte nan mouvman rap ayisyen an.
Written by Cheyna Pierre
