BélO was born in Haiti in 1979, and has been hailed as one of Haiti’s musical ambassadors to the world because his songs expose to society the issues of humankind and problems Haiti faces while displaying a deep love for his homeland. A socially conscious singer-songwriter with a sophisticated sound, BélO has received numerous awards, including "Best Male Artist 2007" by the Haitian Music Awards and the prestigious "Prix Radio France International Discoveries of 2006." BélO’s sound is a beautiful mixture of jazz, worldbeat, rock, reggae and Afro-Haitian traditional rhythms known as Ragganga. This concert is brought to Artisphere in partnership with the Alliance Française. To learn more about BélO, visit www.belohaiti.com/live. Tickets to the concert on Saturday, January 14 at 8pm are $20.
BélO didn't wait for the terrible earthquake that ravaged Haiti on January 12, 2010, to engage in the Haitian cause. He has always been very committed to the cause of the less fortunate, the education of children, respect for women, social solidarity and environmental protection, peace in Haiti and around the world. The earthquake, which devastated his country, gives more strength to his commitment and intensifies the messages he conveys in his songs.
With two albums under his belt, “Lakou Trankil” (Soley Sounds -2005) and "Reference" (NatiProd -2008), he sings in his rich and colorful native language, Haitian Creole. After the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, BélO's home was fractured, and he was able to relocate temporarily in France with the help of Cultures France. During that time BélO's primary focus was to create awareness for his country at various performances around the world. Upon returning to Haiti, BélO 's third album "HAITI DEBOUT," (Haiti Stand-up - 2011) was released under Radio France/France Info and distributed, globally, by Harmonia Mundi.
Involvement of BélO in Haiti: Ambassador of the cause of disabled people S.E.P.H, Ambassador of Haitian culture, patron of the association "Hope for Haiti", and contributor to UNICEF Haiti, VDH "Volunteers for Development of Haiti and, Spokesperson for the Haitian Red Cross.
--Artisphere website