Sweet Micky
Encyclopedia
Michel Joseph Martelly (born 12 February 1961), also known by his stage name "Sweet Micky", is a Haiti
an politician, former musician and businessman, currently the incumbent President of Haiti
.
In July 2010, he announced that he would be running for the Presidency of Haiti
.
On 4 April 2011, a senior Haitian official announced that Martelly had won the second round of the election against candidate Mirlande Manigat
.
, .
The middle-class son of a Super Market supervisor, Martelly is a self-taught keyboard player and Mango seller. After graduating from high school, Martelly briefly worked for a construction company in the United States before he enlisted in the Haitian Military Academy. In 1986, after one semester, he returned to Haiti just as Jean-Claude Duvalier
, then president-for-life, was heading into exile. Martelly later on returned to the U.S. with his then-girlfriend, Sophia, whom he later married in a small ceremony in Miami, Florida. Upon their return to Haiti, Martelly had his first breakthrough in the musical industry when he began playing keyboard as a fill-in musician in local venues in Pétionville
and Kenscoff
, some of the upscale suburbs of Port-au-Prince
.
, he tried a career in engineering, however, his musical talent and his entertainer's skills took over his professional life so he became a popular recording artist and entertainer.
and Casino and The Florville, another local venue. That year, he recorded his first single, Ooo La La, which became an instant hit, followed by "Konpas Foret des Pins" which was released in 1989, also a number hit from his debut album "Woule Woule". During the period of about 1988-2008 Michel Martelly using his stage name Sweet Micky recorded fourteen studio albums and a number of live CDs. His music blends Haitian music with fresh interpretations of compas, zouk
, reggae
, salsa
, Caribbean soca
and jazz-fusion. In 1997, Martelly's appeal to other musical genres was evident when Wyclef Jean
of The Fugees
featured him on the title track for Jean's solo effort Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival featuring the Refugee Allstars. As Jean proclaims on 'The Carnival,' "Surprise - it's Sweet Micky, y'all!" Also in 1997, Martelly released an album containing one of his most celebrated hits, Pa Manyen ("Don't Touch"). The song is an adaptation of "Angola", composed by the renowned artist/composer/record producer Ramiro Mendes (of the Mendes Brothers), first recorded by Cesária Évora, the legendary Cape Verdean singer. Pa Manyen went on to be featured in various compilation albums, including the popular Putumayo Presents: French Caribbean in 2003. The song was also covered by Venezuelan singer, Soledad Bravo as "Canta, Canta Corazon" and by Jose Luiz Cortes of Cuba. See also the Mendes Brothers' original version of the song, performed by Ramiro Mendes included in the group's 1997 album - Para Angola Com Um Xi Coracao. Martelly is also notorious for his cursing on stage as well as using homophobic slurs.
educational music video with a message about preventing the spread of HIV. His humanitarian work as the President of the Foundation Rose et Blanc, created by his wife Sophia and himself, to help the poor and disenfranchised of the country, was the basis for his choice as the Good Will Haitian Ambassador for the Protection of the Environment by the current Haitian Government. In 2010 he ran for President of Haiti where he challenged the results as to whether he placed second, making the runoff, or third. On 3 February 2011, it was announced that he would participate in a run-off election scheduled for 20 March 2011. Martelly proposes to re-instate the Armed Forces of Haiti
, which were disbanded by former president Aristide in 1995.
On 4 April 2011, a senior official announced that Martelly had won the presidential run-off election against candidate Mirlande Manigat with more than 60% of the vote.
, Jean-Max Bellerive
, resigned to allow Martelly to choose his own Prime Minister. Martelly was quick to pledge reforms the post-earthquake reconstruction process.
In August 2011, Martelly anounced a plan to reinstate the nation's military. This plan was met with controversy as many human rights activists were concerned about bringing back a military which had been responsible for many atrocities in the past..
In September 2011, Martelly formed an advisory board that included business executives, bankers, and politicians such as former President of the United States Bill Clinton
, that he hopes will improve business and economy in Haiti..
In October 1 2011, first time in Haiti where the Executive branch and the Legislative branch ever played soccer (Presidency VS. Parliamentary) in the Nation's Stadium of Silvio Cartor. The final score was 1 - 0 a friendly game to support peace in the country.The event was part of Peace One Day a U.N initiative, brought to Haiti by Haiti Youth Development and Education Fnd based in Florida. Photos and videos of the event are on www.peaceonedayhaiti.org
, but held several homes in Palm Beach, Florida
. He lives with his wife and former manager, Sophia, and their four children, Olivier, Sandro, Yani, and Malaika. In 2006, Martelly announced his unofficial retirement from recording and performing but two years later announced a return to music with a new single, Magouyè, and the video/short film, "Bandi Legal yo ki rive". He is a cousin of Port-au-Prince
hotel manager and musician Richard Morse
.
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
an politician, former musician and businessman, currently the incumbent President of Haiti
President of Haiti
The President of the Republic of Haiti is the head of state of Haiti. Executive power in Haiti is divided between the president and the government headed by the Prime Minister of Haiti...
.
In July 2010, he announced that he would be running for the Presidency of Haiti
President of Haiti
The President of the Republic of Haiti is the head of state of Haiti. Executive power in Haiti is divided between the president and the government headed by the Prime Minister of Haiti...
.
On 4 April 2011, a senior Haitian official announced that Martelly had won the second round of the election against candidate Mirlande Manigat
Mirlande Manigat
Mirlande Manigat is a Haitian politician and candidate in the 2010 presidential election. She is the wife of former president Leslie Manigat.-2010 presidential election:...
.
Early life
Martelly was born in Port-au-PrincePort-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
, .
The middle-class son of a Super Market supervisor, Martelly is a self-taught keyboard player and Mango seller. After graduating from high school, Martelly briefly worked for a construction company in the United States before he enlisted in the Haitian Military Academy. In 1986, after one semester, he returned to Haiti just as Jean-Claude Duvalier
Jean-Claude Duvalier
Jean-Claude Duvalier, nicknamed "Bébé Doc" or "Baby Doc" was the President of Haiti from 1971 until his overthrow by a popular uprising in 1986. He succeeded his father, François "Papa Doc" Duvalier, as the ruler of Haiti upon his father's death in 1971...
, then president-for-life, was heading into exile. Martelly later on returned to the U.S. with his then-girlfriend, Sophia, whom he later married in a small ceremony in Miami, Florida. Upon their return to Haiti, Martelly had his first breakthrough in the musical industry when he began playing keyboard as a fill-in musician in local venues in Pétionville
Pétionville
Pétion-Ville is a commune and a suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in the hills east and separate of the city itself on the northern hills of the Massif de la Selle. It was named after Alexandre Sabès Pétion , the Haitian general and president later recognized as one of the country's four founding...
and Kenscoff
Kenscoff
Kenscoff is a town in the Ouest Department of Haiti, located in mountainous country some 10 kilometres to the southeast of the capital Port-au-Prince. The altitude is approximately 1500 meters. Because of its altitude, the temperature is on average cooler than the capital and during winter months...
, some of the upscale suburbs of Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
.
Music
Michel Martelly has been heralded as a pioneer of a unique brand of kompas music, a style of Haitian dance music sung in predominantly Haitian Creole language. Originally, Compas, or Kompa, was the creation of Nemours Jean-Baptiste. Martelly, a keyboardist and the self-proclaimed President of Compas, popularized a nouvelle génération, or "new generation" style, of smaller bands with few members that relied predominantly on synthesizers and electronic instruments to reproduce a fuller sound. Martelly's and Sweet Micky's live performances and recordings are sometimes laced with "burlesque" and humorous sociopolitical commentaries and satires. While the most recognized and applauded musician and public personality in Haiti, Martelly's performance style has sometimes ignited controversy throughout Haitian communities. After completing his high school at the Saint-Louis de GonzagueSaint-Louis de Gonzague
Institution Saint-Louis de Gonzague is a Roman Catholic school in Haiti. It is run by the Freres de l'Instruction Chretienne...
, he tried a career in engineering, however, his musical talent and his entertainer's skills took over his professional life so he became a popular recording artist and entertainer.
Recording career
By 1988, Martelly's musical talent, charismatic persona, and his pattering style of compas had gained tremendous popularity at El Rancho HotelEl Rancho Hotel
El Rancho Hotel may refer to*Thunderbird , a hotel/casino in Las Vegas*El Rancho Hotel & Motel a National Historic Site in Gallup, New Mexico...
and Casino and The Florville, another local venue. That year, he recorded his first single, Ooo La La, which became an instant hit, followed by "Konpas Foret des Pins" which was released in 1989, also a number hit from his debut album "Woule Woule". During the period of about 1988-2008 Michel Martelly using his stage name Sweet Micky recorded fourteen studio albums and a number of live CDs. His music blends Haitian music with fresh interpretations of compas, zouk
Zouk
Zouk is a style of rhythmic music originating from the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe & Martinique. Zouk means "party" or "festival" in the local Antillean Creole of French, although the word originally referred to, and is still used to refer to, a popular dance, based on the Polish dance, the...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, salsa
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
, Caribbean soca
Soca music
Soca is a style of music from Trinidad and Tobago. Soca is a musical development of traditional Trinidadian calypso, through loans from the 1960s onwards from predominantly black popular music....
and jazz-fusion. In 1997, Martelly's appeal to other musical genres was evident when Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
of The Fugees
The Fugees
Fugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel...
featured him on the title track for Jean's solo effort Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival featuring the Refugee Allstars. As Jean proclaims on 'The Carnival,' "Surprise - it's Sweet Micky, y'all!" Also in 1997, Martelly released an album containing one of his most celebrated hits, Pa Manyen ("Don't Touch"). The song is an adaptation of "Angola", composed by the renowned artist/composer/record producer Ramiro Mendes (of the Mendes Brothers), first recorded by Cesária Évora, the legendary Cape Verdean singer. Pa Manyen went on to be featured in various compilation albums, including the popular Putumayo Presents: French Caribbean in 2003. The song was also covered by Venezuelan singer, Soledad Bravo as "Canta, Canta Corazon" and by Jose Luiz Cortes of Cuba. See also the Mendes Brothers' original version of the song, performed by Ramiro Mendes included in the group's 1997 album - Para Angola Com Um Xi Coracao. Martelly is also notorious for his cursing on stage as well as using homophobic slurs.
Political career
In 1997, Michel Martelly participated in "Knowledge is Power", an HIVHIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
educational music video with a message about preventing the spread of HIV. His humanitarian work as the President of the Foundation Rose et Blanc, created by his wife Sophia and himself, to help the poor and disenfranchised of the country, was the basis for his choice as the Good Will Haitian Ambassador for the Protection of the Environment by the current Haitian Government. In 2010 he ran for President of Haiti where he challenged the results as to whether he placed second, making the runoff, or third. On 3 February 2011, it was announced that he would participate in a run-off election scheduled for 20 March 2011. Martelly proposes to re-instate the Armed Forces of Haiti
Armed Forces of Haiti
The Armed Forces of Haiti, , consisted of the Haitian Army, Haitian Navy , Haitian Coast Guard, the Haitian Air Force, and some police forces . The Army was always the dominant service with the others serving primarily in a support role...
, which were disbanded by former president Aristide in 1995.
On 4 April 2011, a senior official announced that Martelly had won the presidential run-off election against candidate Mirlande Manigat with more than 60% of the vote.
Presidency
Martelly was sworn in as President of Haiti on 14 May 2011. The following day, the incumbent Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Haiti
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti is the head of government of Haiti. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and ratified by the National Assembly. He or she appoints the Ministers and Secretaries of State and goes before the National Assembly to obtain a vote of confidence for...
, Jean-Max Bellerive
Jean-Max Bellerive
Jean-Max Bellerive is a Haitian politician and outgoing Prime Minister of Haiti. He resigned on 14 May 2011.-Personal life:Bellerive was born in Port-au-Prince in 1958. As the son of a prominent doctor, he left Haiti at a very young age to study in Switzerland, France, and Belgium...
, resigned to allow Martelly to choose his own Prime Minister. Martelly was quick to pledge reforms the post-earthquake reconstruction process.
In August 2011, Martelly anounced a plan to reinstate the nation's military. This plan was met with controversy as many human rights activists were concerned about bringing back a military which had been responsible for many atrocities in the past..
In September 2011, Martelly formed an advisory board that included business executives, bankers, and politicians such as former President of the United States Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
, that he hopes will improve business and economy in Haiti..
In October 1 2011, first time in Haiti where the Executive branch and the Legislative branch ever played soccer (Presidency VS. Parliamentary) in the Nation's Stadium of Silvio Cartor. The final score was 1 - 0 a friendly game to support peace in the country.The event was part of Peace One Day a U.N initiative, brought to Haiti by Haiti Youth Development and Education Fnd based in Florida. Photos and videos of the event are on www.peaceonedayhaiti.org
Personal life
Martelly currently lives in HaitiHaiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, but held several homes in Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
. He lives with his wife and former manager, Sophia, and their four children, Olivier, Sandro, Yani, and Malaika. In 2006, Martelly announced his unofficial retirement from recording and performing but two years later announced a return to music with a new single, Magouyè, and the video/short film, "Bandi Legal yo ki rive". He is a cousin of Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
hotel manager and musician Richard Morse
Richard Auguste Morse
Richard Auguste Morse is a Puerto Rican-born Haitian-American musician and hotel manager currently residing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Morse manages the Hotel Oloffson, and is the founder of a mizik rasin band, RAM, named after his initials. Morse is married to the band's lead female vocalist,...
.
Discography
| Title | Released | Type | Label | as... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woule Woule | 1989 | Studio | Geronimo | Michel Martelly |
| Anba Rad La | 1990 | Studio | AP | Michel Martelly |
| The Sweetest | 1992 | Studio | Josy | Michel Martelly |
| Min Koze-A | 1993 | Studio | Josy | Michel Martelly |
| I Don't Care | 1994 | Studio | Josy | Michel Martelly |
| Pa Manyen | 1995 | Studio | Josy | Michel Martelly |
| Tout Cé Mately | 1996 | Studio | Déclic | Michel Martelly |
| Aloufa | 1997 | Studio | Antilles | Michel Martelly |
| Best of Sweet Micky | 1997 | Compilation | Déclic | Sweet Micky |
| 100.000 Volts | 1998 | Studio | Mini Records | Michel Martelly |
| An Bolewo | 1998 | Live | Anson | Sweet Micky |
| Dènye Okazyon | 1999 | Studio | Geronimo | Michel Martelly |
| Jojo Ban'm Nouvel Micky | 1999 | Live | Exit | Michel Martelly |
| 100% KaKa | 1999 | Live | Mad Dog | Sweet Micky |
| Michel Martelly Live | 2000 | Live | Créon | Sweet Micky |
| SiSiSi | 2001 | Studio | Créon | Michel Martelly |
| Live au café des arts: Vol. 2 | 2001 | Live | Geronimo | Sweet Micky |
| 200% KaKa | 2001 | Studio/Live | Mad Dog | Sweet Micky |
| Rale Kow La | ???? | Live | Geronimo | Sweet Micky |
| 400% KaKa | 2002 | Live | Mad Dog | Sweet Micky |
| Live at best western | 2002 | Live | Geronimo | Sweet Micky |
| Best of Michel Martelly | 2002 | Compilation | Créon | Michel Martelly |
| Totot | 2003 | Studio | AD | Sweet Micky |
| Micky Chez Lui (Micky Bolero 2) | 2003 | Exit | Sweet Micky | |
| Sweet Micky Live | 2003 | Live | Geronimo | Sweet Micky |
| New Repertoire | 2004 | Live | Exit | Sweet Micky |
| Babaille Micky Mix | 2004 | Exit | Sweet Micky | |
| GNB | 2005 | Studio | D-Facto | Sweet Micky |
| Sweet Micky with Robert Martino: Live Vol. 1 | 2005 | Live | Touche Douce | Sweet Micky |
| Sweet Micky with Robert Martino: Live Vol. 1 | 2005 | Live | Touche Douce | Sweet Micky |
| Micky ap Trip | 2005 | Live | Exit | Sweet Micky |
| Sweet Micky & Djakout: Live 2006 | 2006 | Live | Feeling | Sweet Micky |
| Jojo Ban'm Nouvel Micky | 2006 | Live | Exit | Michel Martelly |
| Sweet Micky vs Dega | 2007 | Live | Arnold | Sweet Micky |
| Live in Miami (Ouvè Kôw) | 2007 | Live | Acoustique | Sweet Micky |
| Blazin' Live | 2007 | Live | Exit | Sweet Micky |
| Bandi Légal | 2008 | Studio | Antilles | Sweet Micky |
| Micky & Sons | 2008 | Antilles | Sweet Micky | |
| Vin' Pran Kompa | 2008 | Studio | Patrick | Sweet Micky |
| Kompa Prezidantiyèl | 2010 | Live | Sweet Micky | Sweet Micky |
| Prézidan Éspwa Vote #8 | 2011 | Studio | ArnoldZic | Sweet Micky |
External links
- http://www.presidentsweetmicky.com
- Micky's masquerade: Michel Martelly is Haiti's new president. But the musician has a dark side. Miami New TimesMiami New TimesThe Miami New Times is a free weekly newspaper published in Miami and distributed every Thursday. It primarily serves the Miami area and is headquartered near Miami's Design District.-Overview:...
. June 9, 2011. - Martelly's Historically Weak Mandate Center for Economic and Policy ResearchCenter for Economic and Policy ResearchThe Center for Economic and Policy Research is a progressive economic policy think-tank based in Washington, DC, founded in 1999. CEPR works on Social Security, the US housing bubble, developing country economies , and gaps in the social policy fabric of the US economy.According to its own...
, April 5, 2011. - Vote Michel Martelly official campaign site
- Interview: Haitian presidential candidate Michel Martelly challenges political elite, Gary G. Yerkey, Christian Science Monitor, November 19, 2010
- Haitian Musician Campaigns in Miami, Frank Tester, NBC Miami, March 4, 2011
- Haiti candidate Martelly lost three South Florida properties to foreclosure (also Haiti presidential candidate Martelly defaults on three Florida properties), Frances Rhodes, The Miami HeraldThe Miami HeraldThe Miami Herald is a daily newspaper owned by The McClatchy Company headquartered on Biscayne Bay in the Omni district of Downtown Miami, Florida, United States...
, March 7, 2011 - Michel Martelly’s Electoral Coup d’Etat Annis, Roger. Haïti Liberte. Volume 4-39.
Music
- Sweet Micky: Mon Colonel, music video