Travèse by mCo., Naïka at MTELUS, Zafem Retains Name Rights, Joé Dwèt Filé Expands to Europe

HAITI

From an introspective musical register, Haitian artist mCo. releases “Travèse,” a track shaped by a personal experience. The piece approaches the question of disappearance through a spiritual lens, without fixed conclusions. It engages with the fear of death, the persistence of emotional bonds and the possibility of continuity beyond the body. The composition unfolds through an atmospheric structure, suggesting a passage between two states.

DIASPORA

In Montreal, before 2,300 attendees at MTELUS, Franco-Haitian singer Naïka performed “One Track Mind,” a key track from her album Eclesia, during a sold-out show. Produced by Michaël Brun and Sebastián Torres, the song addresses self-love after a breakup and has circulated widely on social media through a viral excerpt, particularly among female audiences. The album has surpassed 11 million streams on Spotify and blends Creole, French and English with Caribbean influences. Artists including Paul Beaubrun joined her on stage during the performance.

On the legal front, the band Zafem has retained the rights to its name following an agreement with Wiss and Marie Joseph, bringing an end to a multi-year dispute. Validated through a “dismissal with prejudice,” the settlement prevents any future legal action on the matter. While most terms remain confidential, a $100,000 bond has been disclosed. The outcome allows the group to continue operating under its name and reflects broader issues related to trademark protection in the music industry.

On the European stage, Franco-Haitian artist Joé Dwèt Filé has announced a concert scheduled for December 5, 2026, in the largest indoor arena in Europe. A prominent figure across urban pop, zouk and kompa, he continues to expand his reach beyond France.

In literature, Haitian-Canadian poet Rodney Saint-Éloi will publish Fais du feu in April 2026, a collection of around one hundred poems structured around the recurring injunction that gives the book its title. The phrase frames themes of memory and renewal, opening and closing the work.

In sport, Haitian boxer Kervens Bouche, known as “Bumbas Box,” continues to build a career between the diaspora and high-level competition. Born in the Dominican Republic and based in Temuco, Chile, he was named best foreign athlete in 2025. His trajectory includes a knockout victory that same year and reflects a progression marked by discipline and continuity, with long-term ambitions of competing at the Olympic level and pursuing a world title.

INTERNATIONAL

On the film circuit, the official selection of the Festival de Cannes was announced on April 9, 2026, in Paris by Thierry Frémaux. This 79th edition features 21 films competing for the Palme d’Or, highlighting a wide range of international filmmakers, including Asghar Farhadi, Hirokazu Kore-eda and Pedro Almodóvar. The festival will open on May 12, 2026, with La Vénus électrique by Pierre Salvadori. The selection reflects the emergence of new voices, a growing presence of women directors and a diversity of perspectives tied to contemporary global cinema.

Soraya Ades