Is It OK for Artists to Break Grammar in Songs? The HMI Debate Around Rutshelle Guillaume’s “Determinée”

By Haitianbeatz

The Haitian music industry is buzzing. Fans and critics are debating grammar in lyrics, sparked by Rutshelle Guillaume’s latest single, “Determinée.” Some listeners hear mistakes. Others hear style and intent. Who is right?

Here is the simple truth. In songs, grammar bends. Artists use poetic license in music to fit melody, show character, create a mood, or reflect culture. What is poetic license in music? “the freedom a songwriter or composer takes with language and structure to create artistic effect, which can include bending grammar, inventing words, altering facts, or changing traditional forms to better express emotions and enhance storytelling. This allows lyrics to fit the melody and rhythm, create more vivid imagery, and communicate feelings beyond what strict, literal language could achieve.” This is not sloppy by default. It is a tool. When used with purpose, it serves the song.

This article explains what counts as a mistake in songs, why writers break rules, how Creole/French and code-switching work in HMI, and how to decide when grammar matters. It also offers a calm look at the “Determinée” conversation. The goal is not to pick sides. It is to help fans and creators judge artistic intent before they judge a line.

What Counts as a Grammar Mistake in a Song?

Lyrics are not essays. They live in the body, in breath and rhythm. What looks “wrong” on paper can be perfect when sung. The rules that guide school writing are not the same as the rules that guide a chorus.

In the Haitian music industry, it is common to hear Haitian Creole, French, and English in one track. Dialect, slang, and code-switching shape how lines land. Singers also stretch syllables, drop articles, and flip word order so words hit on the beat. That is normal.

A line can be grammatically odd yet musically correct. Global hits have done this for decades. “Ain’t no mountain high enough.” “We don’t need no education.” These lines bend standard grammar, yet they feel right, sing well, and stick in memory.

The key is intent. If a choice supports the melody, character, or emotion, it is not a mistake. If it confuses meaning or breaks the flow, it might be.

Haitian Creole, French, and English each have their own rules. A phrase that seems off in formal French might be acceptable in Creole. A casual English line might sound natural in a Kompa hook. Local ears know when a switch feels authentic.

Code-switching can signal identity and audience. A verse in Creole can speak to home. A French phrase can suggest polish. An English hook can reach a wider market. Judge a line in the language it uses, and for the audience it targets.

Intentional vs Accidental Errors

How can you tell the difference?

• Signs of intent: the line fits the beat, repeats as a hook, or matches a character voice. The crowd can sing it back. It lands clean on stage.

• Signs of accident: the meaning gets muddy, the stress feels off, or the line trips the tongue. The listener has to stop and decode.

Ask a simple question: does this choice help the song work better, or does it distract?

Speech Rules vs Song Rules

Songs compress language. Writers clip articles, drop pronouns, and use fragments to lock in rhythm. A chorus might say “Still here, still strong,” not “I am still here, and I am still strong,” because the first version hits harder.

You might see a fuller line in a verse, then a tighter version in the hook. That is craft, not carelessness.

Famous Lines That Break Rules

Quick examples help:

• “Ain’t no mountain high enough” uses a nonstandard “ain’t” for feel and flow.

• “We don’t need no education” doubles the negative to build edge and unity in the chant.

• “I can’t get no satisfaction” repeats a “wrong” pattern that makes the hook unforgettable.

Each choice amps up rhythm, attitude, or emotion. That is the point.

Writers can explain these choices with simple reasons. The move is not random. It is a tool used with care.

Songs ride on syllables, stress, and rhyme. A small tweak can unlock a hook. Cutting an article can make the downbeat punch. Flipping a word can free a rhyme. In rap, one extra syllable can break a bar, so tightening grammar keeps the line clean.

Real people do not talk like textbooks. If a singer tells a story in a street voice, the language should match that voice. Casual phrasing, slang, and dialect make characters sound real. They pull listeners into the scene.

Perfect grammar can feel distant in moments of pain or pride. Short, raw lines hit fast. Breaking a rule can add urgency, vulnerability, or swagger. When the topic is heartbreak or triumph, clean structure matters less than pulse.

HMI thrives on blended language. Switching between Creole, French, and English can signal pride, humor, or global intent. These choices express identity. They can also invite debate. That is healthy. It means listeners care about both language and music.

A quirky line, even if imperfect on paper, is easy to share. It sticks on radio, in playlists, on TikTok. If a phrase is fun to say, it invites parody, remix, and chorus videos. That free energy helps a song travel.

Inside the HMI Debate: Rutshelle Guillaume’s “Determinée”

Many fans admire Rutshelle’s voice and presence. Her new single, “Determinée,” sparked a wave of comments about grammar and phrasing. Some say parts sound off. Others hear style choices tied to the beat and to French influence. Both sides want great songs, and both love HMI.

This moment is a good mirror. It shows how we value language, identity, and craft. It also shows how fast opinions spread online. A strong debate can raise the bar if we keep it respectful and focused on music.

What Sparked the Conversation

Clips, captions, and radio chats pushed the topic into view. People pulled lines out and compared them to standard rules. The buzz grew as fans shared opinions. The interest is not random. HMI is growing, and listeners are watching every move from stars like Rutshelle Guillaume.

Why People Hear It Differently

Two listeners, one line, two reactions. Why?

• Language background matters. A French-first ear may judge formal rules. A Creole-first ear may hear natural speech.

• Expectations differ. Some expect polished French, others want Creole flavor.

• Personal taste rules. A listener who values poetry might forgive odd grammar. A listener who values diction might not.

• Groove changes perception. A line that sits right on the beat often feels right, even if it breaks a rule.

Possible Artistic Intent

There are valid reasons an artist might choose a debated phrasing:

• It fits the melody, stress, or rhyme in a key moment.

• It highlights a theme or attitude, like grit or defiance.

• It matches a character voice in the story of the song.

• It reflects everyday speech, which can sound more honest.

We do not need to assume accident when musical intent explains the choice.

Not all contexts are equal. Songs can bend. Official text should be clean. Use a simple checklist to guide the team.

Songs are not essays. In music, grammar can bend to serve feeling, rhythm, and voice. In HMI, where Creole, French, and English meet, that bend is part of identity. The “Determinée” debate proves that listeners care about both words and sound.

Before judging, listen for intent. Ask if the choice lifts the hook, builds character, or honors culture. Give feedback that helps, not heat that burns. If you create, use a clear process so bold lines feel smart, not sloppy.

I report, you decide