From ‘David’ to ‘Bang Bang,’ these konpa mega hits still resonate decades on

FREEPORT, N.Y. — On a balmy evening in early July, a party boat sailing off the coast of Long Island served as a konpa stage for hours as hundreds of revelers rocked away to the sounds of the music genre created 70 years ago. Abiding by the all-white affair dress code, passengers celebrating a special someone’s birthday quickly turned the soirée into a love letter to Haiti’s beloved rhythm.

As soon as the DJ dropped Zin’s ‘H.A.P.P.Y B.I.R.T.H.D.A.Y, ki sa l fè? Happy birthday,’ hands flew up, hips started swaying and the deck transformed into a sea of dancers vibing to the irresistible groove. The ZIN anthem set the tone for the night, blending nostalgia, joy and discovery. 

The crowd, from GenZ to Boomers, was a tableau that perfectly captured konpa’s evolution through most distinctive eras, including: the clean brass and smooth strums of 1950s konpa dirèk, the funky bass and layered instrumentation of the 1970s, the romance-heavy metallic sounds of the 90s nouvelle génération, and today’s sex-laden, Creole rap-infused flavor.

When the DJ played the popular, and graphic, ‘Fè m Voye’ by Joé Dwèt File’s, a chorus of cheers erupted. Fans grabbed dance partners like it was a bal de salon [house party] with old friends all over again or, for some, a crowded club whining and grinding with strangers. 

Between sips of beer, wine and rum punch, and bites of griyo and bannann peze, The Haitian Times asked revelers to share their all-time favorite konpa hits. Eyes lit up. Smiles widened. Suddenly, some were teens again, as they recalled sweating it out at Gymnasium Vincent on Rue Romain, dancing under the bleachers while Scorpio and D.P. Express made the walls bounce. Others recalled lazy Port-au-Prince afternoons swaying to System Band’s sweet riffs from the radio. 

Depending on the decade and location, those who came of age as diaspora children in the New York area might find themselves at Le Manoir or Mission on Sundays, Katra on Tuesdays, Club Rendez-Vous on Thursdays, SOBs on any French-Antilles night or big show.

“For me, it’s ‘David’ by D.P. Express and ‘Paka Pala’ by Magnum Band—they were the soundtrack of summer,” said Henri Franck, who goes by ‘Francky.’

Camilien Canon jumped in with his top three: ‘Lolita’ by Dixie Band, ‘Lelène Chérie’ by Shoogar Combo, and ‘Chère Madame’ by Bossa Combo. As the boat rocked, Canon added, “You can’t forget ‘Azoukenkeng’ from Coupé Cloué—and ‘Haïti’ by Tabou Combo always hits deep.”

From her home in Port-au-Prince, Chantale Louis texted her favorites when she heard about the impromptu survey at sea.

“When it comes to the best konpa hits, you have to mention ‘Li Pa Vini’ by Ti Djo, ‘David’ by Ti Manno, ‘Pèmanant, pèmanant dola’ by Bossa Combo. And don’t forget ‘Cesar, (lè w lajan blayi nan poch mwen)’ by System Band.”

Truly, the evening proves konpa’s power goes beyond the rhythm and the country’s borders. Many of its best songs reflect daily Haitian life—its struggles, joys, love stories and political woes. Haitian music historians say that’s partly why the genre has endured. The melodies meet the mélomane exactly where they are.

The songs aren’t just music—they’re memories. First kisses, last dances, Sunday night “bals” where the world disappeared and all that mattered was the next bassline.

And the arguments over which song tops the list? That’s part of the fun—just ask anyone who’s swaying under a disco ball on a boat in summer.

Here’s a playlist of some konpa favorites through the years that are sure to keep people on their feet all night. You can listen and save it on Spotify

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