Fabrice Rouzier, a name synonymous with innovation in the Haitian music industry, has made an indelible mark over the past two decades as a pianist, producer, and entrepreneur. His journey is a rich tapestry of artistic milestones, characterized by his pivotal role in shaping the “Nouvelle Generation Konpa” during the mid-80s to early 90s. Fabrice has not only contributed to over 300 albums but also played a crucial role in launching the careers of many of Haiti’s musical luminaries including Emeline Michel, Michel Martelly, and Beethova Obas, among others.
Opa Music:: Somewhere I’ve read that you started playing music at a very young age, what do you remember about those days, was it a demanding time?
Fabrice:: I started taking piano lessons at 4 with my aunt Marguerite Borno. She was an amazing woman and a fantastic musician that was a concert pianist in France for a very long time. I was doing pretty good until my older brother convinced me that soccer was a better choice for men and that piano was for girls. You have to understand that we are in 1971-1972 and that our national team was about to clinch its only participation in a soccer world cup.
Opa Music:: When did you decide to try for a career in music business
Fabrice:: I was approached by Hans Peters from Pirog to do some stuff. Hansy and I are family and he knew that I sometimes played the organ. I was a DJ at the time. He had me listen to some of the stuff he was doing and I played a couple licks for him. He liked what he heard and he brought me to Audiotek sometime in 1984. Seeing Bobby Denis and Patrick Déjean work was an eye opener for me.
Opa Music:: Can you give me a quick tour of your early artistic life?
Fabrice:: I started with Hansy as I mentioned to you. From there, Maxence Denis ( Raoul Denis junior’s brother ) and I decided to create a band. We contacted Keke Belizaire and Christophe Lafontant. Mizik-Mizik was born and we succesfully took part in the 1986 Konkou Mizik American Airlines. Soon afterwards, I left for the US to pursue my college studies.
I worked on close to 300 records with several people and helped launch quite a few careers : Michel Martelly, Emeline Michel, Ti Nes Salvant, Jacques Sauveur Jean, Skandal, Scorpio, Boukman Eksperyans, Masterdji, Beethova Obas among many others In 1990, I was asked to replace Ernst Marcelin in Tabou Combo. I spent close to 3 years with them and when I got my college diploma I went back home and decided to recreate Mizik-Mizik with my partner Kéké and with a bunch of new guys. 1992 was during the embargo years and unlike the gloomy situation down there, Mizik- Mizik took off !
Throughout the years we have been through ups and downs. Mizik-Mizik spun off into Haiti Twoubadou for a while ( which was a resounding success for Haitian music in general ). I am still backing up new artists. We recently created a music label Soley Sounds and we recently released the solo effort of newcomer Bélo. The label will soon release the first solo effort of my friend Nickenson Prudhomme and of reggae sensation Jahnesta. Mizik-Mizik has released a single Chaviré and we plan to have a cd ready by the summer of 2006
Opa Music:: What else do you do beside music?
Fabrice:: I am the marketing manager for Sun Auto. Sun Auto is the exclusive distributor in Haïti of General Motors, Honda and Hyundai automobiles. We also sell world class products such as Dupont paints and General and Yokohama tires. We are most definitely one of the best dealerships in Haiti. I am also married to a wonderful wife and we have two daughters that are very demanding.
Opa Music:: What philosophical and universal message do you hope that your music embodies?
Fabrice:: I hope that my music conveys a general feeling of escape to people. Most of it should not be taken too seriously though!
Opa Music:: How can your style be so eclectic, ranging from Troubadour, Konpa direk, and carnival jazz? You name it you’ll turn it into a hit?
Fabrice:: That is very flattering of you. I doubt that it works that way though ! I actually listen to everything and I like most of it. I’ll go from Pat Metheny to Althierry Dorival to house in a NY minute !
Opa Music:: In a balance between arrangement, lyrics and melody, which is the most important and the most difficult to do?
Fabrice:: I think music is a whole. Some situations call for the lyrics to be prominent and some call for the background to be more present. It’s not that difficult but I find that arranging requires patience and tolerance for the opinions of others.
Opa Music:: How much time do you spend refining the sound of your songs? How much time do you actually spend in the studio?
Fabrice:: Not enough time J. Kidding ! Some songs are done as soon as they are started. Others take forever to be done.
Opa Music:: Do you enjoy playing with studio equipment?
Fabrice:: Yes, but I find that the songs that are successful are the ones that require the least amount of tweaking.
Opa Music:: Can you pick a song or 2 and give me an example of the process they went through before they were finished?
Fabrice:: For example a tune like “Blakawout” was done in a couple sessions. EDH blessed us with a Blakawout as we were starting a jamming session. No inverters, no generators. I told the guys that we were going to go “unplugged.” I wrote a couple lines, Eric Charles completed some and I came up with the “Banm blakawout” hook. Keke then added his guitar riffs and we recorded basic tracks. Eric then wrote the accordion solo and the horns and I performed what he wrote note for note. Choupitte Jacquet added the fills and the percussions.
We brought the song to Hansy Peters to have a couple lines corrected. Hansy added 2 words and the song was done. We mixed it right then and there. We brought it to prominent radio hosts who would NOT play it. The rest is history.
Opa Music:: What kind of music do you listen to in your spare time?
Fabrice:: I love me some Jazz but I really listen to everything. Reggae, Blues, some classical, lots of alternative , old school rock and roll. And of course old school Konpa. My ipod is really a melting pot of styles.
Opa Music:: I was telling my daughter I was going to interview you, and she told me to ask you if you had any hobbies?
Fabrice:: I have plenty of hobbies. I love drawing, reading, surfing the net, playing video games. I wish I had more time to play soccer so that I can lower my HDL levels J.
Opa Music:: You’ve been in the business for so many years what keep you going?
Fabrice:: The genuine LOVE of it. If it were for the money I would have gone to other things a long time ago.
Opa Music:: Do you still remember the first time you ever perform on stage? What was the experience like?
Fabrice:: Yeah. It was frightening. I almost peed in my pants. Afterwards, I could not sleep. The adrenaline was still pumping.
Opa Music:: You had a lot of success composing hit songs explain that process and have there been any songs that seemed like a hit but didn’t work when you released it?
Fabrice:: There is no process. Sometimes you feel it, sometimes you don’t. We’ve composed stuff that was just ok and they turned out to be hits. We also, many times, took our time to work on a solid release and it flopped miserably.
Opa Music:: What do you think of the current music scene? How does it differ from when you guys were very active in the 90’s?
Fabrice:: It is completely different. I think the 90’s were much more inclined on the musical side. Today, it’s looks, bling and promotions related to bling and looks. Music just happens to be a bed for all that stuff I just talked about.
Opa Music:: What advice would you give to a young musician looking to get into the business?
Fabrice:: You need to treat this as a passion. Learn your instrument constantly. Do not underestimate younger and ³un²schooled musicians. They can actually teach you a whole lot. Try and identify true friends and don’t pay too much attention to “fame”. It comes and goes before you know it. Last but not least, be honest, punctual and trustworthy and respect and learn from your elders.
Opa Music:: Do you have a dream purchase for when you get a lot of money (become a millionaire)?
Fabrice:: If I become a millionaire, I don’t think my lifestyle will change much. I would probably invest the money to insure some financial stability for my family. I am not into big houses, cars or bling. Just like the next Joe, I’d enjoy rolling in a Ferrari or have a condo on the French Riviera but guess what? Once you have these things and by the time you are done paying taxes on those, you’re no longer a millionaire! It’s a sick circle of life.
Opa Music:: Many musicians compose songs to convey a message, to give voice to the voiceless enlighten others or change focus on something. Why do you compose music?
Fabrice:: Usually for fun even when the subject is serious.
Opa Music:: In retrospect, looking back at your entire career, what do you consider your most important work?
Fabrice:: I think I have managed to pay respect to some of my childhood heroes but my most important work is always ahead of me.
Opa Music:: What is so different about Mizik Mizik¹s Konpa compare to Djakout Mizik’s konpa since you played for both band?
Fabrice:: Mizik-Mizik and the ORIGINAL Djakout were similar bands. We were looking to stand out by bringing something new to the table. I think Djakout has found its niche but I hate to say that they have gained their fame by strongly borrowing from System Band.
Opa Music:: Your collaboration with Keke dates way back what makes him such a special partner?
Fabrice:: Keke is a brother to me and to my actual brothers and sister. He is a wonderful person. We argue all the time but it never gets ugly. I don’t have many FRIENDS and Keke is one of my true friends. He is super smart and we sort of complete each other on the musical side.
Opa Music:: How is the Haiti scene (musically)? What do you like and don’t like about it?
Fabrice:: The Haiti live music scene is dead. You have some rare events here and there but there is nothing REAL happening here. Studios are another story. People are recording music like there is no tomorrow. Weird but true !
Opa Music:: Why do you think so much the general public appreciates you?
Fabrice:: I guess the public would best answer that question.
Opa Music:: Last words?
Fabrice:: Thanks a bunch Opa Music. God bless all of you for reading this and God bless Haiti.
