Read article in french: 1804 – libération: la preuve que Freedom a combattu le bon combat
His skin color has never had a grip on his love for Haiti. His representation of the country is always based on fraternity and never on disunity. The proof: he preaches love when hatred triumphs, hope when dark days arise. With the album “1804 – liberation” he left an indelible mark on the history of Haitian music. 16 years later, the artist retains the same ideology.
Christopher Laroche aka Freedom has not changed his path. He is a singular artist who radiates a deep humanity. For him, preaching union is a lifestyle, even a priesthood. In an interview with host Carel Pedre on the occasion of “Okap takeover”, he confirmed his philosophy. “I make music to inspire people to walk together,” Christopher said. And these are much more than just words.
It was in 2006 that he made his appearance with an album that would mark a whole generation. After evolving as a DJ, he had finally found the path that made him today an artist who campaigns in the name of freedom. Freedom is singing to liberate. Moreover, “Ayibobo” a liberating music that is in first place on the album “1804 – liberation“, can testify to this.
Through this music, the artist had described the situation in the country. Released in 2004, this song was born in a particular socio-political context, including an increase in insecurity. For the artist, it was time to put an end to these quarrels.
We have been fighting for a long time and it’s a battle that has existed for years, but it’s time to end it. Gentlemen, we are tired but Haiti…
On this song, the artist expressed his frustration. For him, peace and security were a priority, because the country was unbearable. “Life gets complicated day by day and it lasts a long time. I beg God to rid us of this problem. The street is burning, we’re afraid to go out. I’m afraid of having a child who may have nowhere to grow up.”
18 years later, the time has changed, but the situation remains the same.
Listen to the album “1804 – Libération” on Soundcloud for free!
“Sove peyi mwen” is one of the most popular tracks on this album. It is a conscious melody that could appear in the top of the best Haitian music of all time. It is a revolutionary source of energy like “Delivre” which is the second song to appear on the record.
To listen to “Twou bwa kayiman” is to go back to the source. Where it all started. It is to remember the struggle of slaves who snatched freedom at the risk of their lives. More than 200 years later, Freedom had the foresight to make us travel back in time. As he said at the last edition of “Okap Takeover”: “I like to sing music that can give strength and has a reason“.
For Christopher Laroche, freedom and Union go hand in hand. After a long break, 8 years after the release of his first album, he had made his comeback with “L’union” a music that preaches living together. “Union and “union makes strength.”
It should be remembered that this album was released in 2006, a few years after the era of President Jean Bertrand Aristide whose government had a dark balance sheet and a worrying impact on the situation in the country. “1804: liberation” is an album of very good calibration, with a lot of effort and dimension in the songs.
Freedom not only denounces misery and injustice. The artist is also involved in many charitable works.
Currently, he is working on a project to combat modern slavery. A project that will talk about how humans should live. “I don’t make music for money, but to inspire others,” says the artist.
Christopher Laroche represents one of the few patriots in the Haitian music industry. It’s a living legend!
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