Contemporary Haitian music witnessed a change of guard from one generation to the next the moment Fantom’s announced him as the next big deal. Prior to that Roody RoodBoy , Izolan and Baky had been performing the role of building blocks for an industry that was rediscovering itself after years of dormancy.
It may not have been obvious back then but hindsight is 50/50.
However successful the Baky Popile/PIC/Wendyyy years have been, things seem to have come full circle once again. With the likes of Fantom, Izolan, and Roody RoodBoy giving hot pursuit, it would seem that the future of Hip hop music- Rap Kreyol if you may- is in good hands. Make room for Citizen Schraider then.
Like Wendy, Citizen Schraider (born Schraider Romalli Michel) was raised in the capital of Haiti. Like Fantom, he seems to have that vocal zip that can take a verse or chorus and energize it such that the rest of the country is soon singing along. the song “24Ba” it’s in Creole but if you want to know the title in English it’s very simple, it’s “24 Bars” it’s a freestyle video. The writing is competent, so is the production, but it is Citizen Schraider’s striking vocal work that carries Bad Influence across the finish line and into star making territory.
But those who aren’t new to the gospel of Citizen Schraider have spoken of his talent for some time now. When asked to show proof, they point to the previously released “Track Sa Bad” which is slotted in the middle of “Lè’m Avè’l”. Over a pleasantly lazy beat that cannot quite decide if it is Rap or R&B, Citizen Schraider professes undying romantic love, the kind that has him expressing sweet things like “M’pap Mache sel, m’jwenn yon moun Pou Gide’m”
