In the hands of the State of a country that is in turmoil, music can only play the role of entertainment. But as a lyricist who still believes in a better tomorrow for Haiti, I think the poetry in my songs is also a great political weapon — to change society, to turn the country upside down. We will brainstorm various aspects of this weapon. I will choose a sample of songs from my book Champ MagnéBIC and help students analyze the lyrics of these songs and their impact on the public. I quote linguist Michel DeGraffwho wrote the preface to Champ MagnéBIC: « ... the structure of society is the theme that BIC analyzes the most [in his book]. BIC is always asking how society works or how it _doesn't_ work or how it _should_ work. »

Renowned Haitian singer-songwriter and rapper, BIC (real name Roosevelt Saillant) is a master of words whose music blends the power of rap with the soul of folk.

This presentation will be in Haitian Creole. Part of LACC’s Foreign Languages Across the Curriculum (FLAC) Lecture Series and LACC’s Haitian Studies Program of Excellence. Made possible with support from LACC’s US Department of Education Title VI Grant.

This lecture will be given in Haitian Creole. Q&A reserved for the students in the Haitian Creole Institute.