Kaysha
zouk, kompa-gouyad
Kaysha, born Edward Mokolo Jr., is not a Haitian artist; born in Kinshasa and shaped between Africa and Europe, he became one of the figures moving zouk, kizomba, afro-pop, R&B, and African diaspora music into the same conversation. He should therefore be understood as Caribbean/African context, not as a Haitian Top 40 entry. His music helps explain where Haitian kompa-gouyad touches other Caribbean and African movements.
Since the 1990s, Kaysha has built a catalog that crosses languages and markets: French, English, Lingala, Paris, Lisbon, the Caribbean, Africa, and the diaspora. His work as a singer, producer, and founder of Sushiraw makes him important not only for his own songs, but also for the network of artists he has produced and supported. Albums such as 'Worldwidechico', 'It's All Love', 'African Bohemian', 'Legendary', 'Raw Like Sushi', and 'Diaspora Deluxe' show an artist thinking about Black dance music across borders.
For listeners following Haitian music, Kaysha matters especially through 'Something Going On' and its kompa-gouyad versions. They do not replace HMI; they show how gouyad can become a sound language that starts in Haiti, passes through zouk, and reaches kizomba and Afro-diaspora pop. The label matters: Kaysha is a bridge, not a Haitian artist.