FRED JEAN-BAPTISTE, founder and producer of albums for his company, MIZIK LABEL, is also a drummer and proponent of Bele music, video producer and artist, granted THE NEW TIMES HOLLER! an interview from his studios in Fort De France. Fred has been working with many Martinique musicians, from the singers Milene Bey, Ti Raul, Vaity, to many musicians who play Bele music, which he explains in this interview. This interview serves as a good introduction to this form of music. His brother, Etienne Kzo Jean-Baptiste plays a variety of instruments that are integral to Bele, and is also a noted practioner of Danmye, a Martinique martial art form related to Capoeira; both stem from the Ovimbundu of Angola. Fred discusses the challenges of having a company that has a mission to communicate and market the specific message of Bele's rhythms, words, dances, and culture.
Fred can be reached at 0696-44-36-66, -area code 596, by Email at miziklabel@wanadoo.fr
Camera by Super Saco
Special thanks to Leila Hamitouch for her assistance in this interview