Music

Haiti's president releases filthy pop song aimed at female journalist

by Jeremy Mersereau

Haitian president Michel Martelly, currently in what is likely his last week in office, has released an energetic, brazen pop song with sexually suggestive lyrics aimed at his administration’s critics, including a prominent female journalist. One can only wonder what Wyclef’s version would’ve sounded like.

Recorded and released for the upcoming Haitian Carnival, “Bal Bannann Nan” (Haitian Creole for “Give Them The Banana”) contains contentious lyrical content, including many salacious, banana-related references aimed at well-known journalist and radio reporter Liliane Pierre-Paul.

The song also makes reference to a male journalist using “skin lightening cream” in his quest to become a “pretty girl.” Lastly, also worth noting: Martelly’s choice for the next president, businessman Jovenel Moïse, is nicknamed “Neg Bannann”, “Banana Man.”

Reaction to the song hasn’t exactly been positive, and critics aren’t just questioning the wisdom of releasing a song while Haiti is in the midst of political turmoil trying to pick Martelly’s successor. Political analyst and women’s rights activist Chantal Elie, who worked in Martelly’s administration before quitting, had this to say:

Before he was president, Martelly was a major star known as Sweet Micky in the world of Haitian compas, a style of merengue dance music sung in Haitian Creole. He was so popular, Wyclef Jean even featured Sweet Micky on his solo album Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival featuring the Refugee Allstars.

Martelly is required by the Haitian Constitution to leave office on Sunday, and he’s said he hopes to perform on a Carnival float his last day in office. Wait a minute… are we sure this isn’t Wyclef?