A figure of the Haitian music scene died on stage. Singer Michael Benjamin, known by his stage name Mikaben and aged 41, died on Saturday evening October 15 during a concert at the Accor Arena in Paris, the performance hall announced on Sunday.
Mikaben, who performed with the Haitian kompa music group Carimi, “died following an illness on stage and despite the intervention of the emergency services”thus announced on Twitter the Accor Arena team, saying to themselves “terribly affected” by this news.
Last night during the Carimi concert, one of the singers, Michael Benjamin, Mikaben of his artist name died… https://t.co/XwfOklKU77
“A great reference of Haitian music”
Mikaben had been invited by the group Carimi, formed in the 2000s, on the occasion of a unique concert in France. According to videos posted on social media, he suddenly collapsed as he was leaving the stage in full swing. Following the singer’s discomfort, the concert was interrupted and the room evacuated.
Born in Port-au-Prince in 1981, son of singer Lionel Benjamin, Mikaben was a singer, composer and producer. He had performed several successful pieces with the group Carimi, such as Baby I Missed You Where Fanm its move.
“It’s a great reference of Haitian music that has just died out. The country and the Haitian youth have lost a beautiful soul”has tweeted Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Sunday.