Charlin Bato Releases “Pye sou kou,” Michaël Brun Marks 10 Years of BAYO

Weekly Cultural Update

In the music and cultural scene, several Haitian artists have announced new projects and events, while international recognitions and sports results continue to shape the news cycle.

Haiti

Ten months after the release of his debut album Toro Rodeo, Haitian singer Charlin Bato released the music video for the track “Pye sou kou” on March 2, 2026. The five-minute and eleven-second song explores themes of intimacy and desire.

The album Toro Rodeo, composed of eleven tracks, includes collaborations with Toby, Kenny Haïti and Freedom. The song “Pye sou kou” has stood out on digital platforms, surpassing five million views on YouTube, which led to its adaptation into a music video.

The artist first gained public recognition through the Digicel Stars contest. He initially performed with the group Rylax before launching a solo career, releasing songs such as “Ti Manman,” “Only You,” and “Lage Cha.”

On March 3, 2026, marking his birthday, Haitian artist Teddy Hashtag (Ted Harry Beaufort) released two new singles: “Rimè” and “M efase yo,” produced by Perfect Beat.

“Rimè,” featuring KenFs, addresses the impact of rumors, criticism and difficult periods in personal and professional journeys. The song highlights perseverance in the face of judgment and misinformation.

By contrast, “M efase yo,” a solo track lasting two minutes and fourteen seconds, explores personal transformation through love and emotional support. The composition features guitar work by Edrice Dwèt Majik.

Both songs extend the musical direction developed by the artist after the release of his debut album Ready.

Diaspora

Haitian producer and DJ Michaël Brun announced four U.S. dates to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the BAYO concert series. The tour will begin on June 12 at Agganis Arena before continuing with a three-night residency from June 25 to 27 at Brooklyn Paramount. Originally launched in the Jalousie neighborhood of Pétion-Ville, the BAYO project has gradually become an international platform dedicated to promoting Haitian and Caribbean culture.

Within the diaspora, Haitian singer Medjy has also announced a concert in Paris as part of his “48 Rebecca The Tour.” The performance is scheduled for May 8, 2026, at the Dôme de Paris located at Porte de Versailles in the 15th arrondissement.

The comedy special “Laughing Voodoo” by Haitian-American comedian Malik S. has been available on YouTube since January 11, 2026. Produced by Ali Siddiq and directed by Cedric the Entertainer, the hour-long program explores everyday life, family relationships and certain cultural representations of Haitian Vodou.

Haitian company Rhum Barbancourt announced on March 3 that it had won two gold medals at the Best Aged Rum Awards organized by The Fifty Best. The spirits “Réserve du Domaine 15 Ans” and “Barbancourt 5 Étoiles 8 Ans” were recognized during the competition dedicated to aged rum.

The Haiti women’s national football team defeated the Suriname women’s national football team 2–0 in the qualifiers for the CONCACAF W Championship. Goals were scored by Roseline Éloissaint and Melchie Dumornay, strengthening Haiti’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 edition.

The Haiti national under-20 football team also secured a 2–1 victory against the Curaçao national under-20 football team in the qualifiers for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

International

Portuguese novelist António Lobo Antunes died on March 5, 2026, in Lisbon at the age of 83.

Author of around thirty novels and recipient of the Camões Prize in 2007, he was widely regarded as one of the leading figures of contemporary Portuguese literature. A former psychiatrist and veteran of the colonial war in Angola, the experience deeply influenced his literary work.

Soraya Ades.

If you enjoy discovering culture, art and the world around you, you can support us by making a donation. Click here!