NYC Will Soon Celebrate Haitian Konpa Day on July 26 Thanks to Councilmember Rita Joseph

By Moses St Louis

Councilmember Rita Joseph is pushing for New York City to recognize July 26 as Haitian Konpa Day, through Resolution 0987. This day would honor Konpa, often called Haiti’s most beloved music and dance genre, which has shaped celebrations for generations.

With this resolution, NYC would not only spotlight the rich legacy of Haitian music but also mark the 70th anniversary of Compas Direct. This move welcomes both Haitian Americans and the wider NYC community to celebrate, connect and carry forward the energy of Konpa. It’s a big step for visibility and cultural pride, and could inspire other cities with strong Haitian roots to join in.

Background: Konpa (Compas Direct) and Its Cultural Significance

Konpa, or Compas Direct, carries the soul of Haiti in every vibrant beat and swirling dance step. Born 70 years ago, this genre brings together generations, reliving memories and creating new traditions at every celebration. The story behind Konpa is full of passion, pride, and rhythmic brilliance that reaches far beyond Haiti’s borders.

The Birth of Konpa: Setting the Stage

Konpa began in 1955 when Haitian musician Nemours Jean-Baptiste wanted something new for dance halls across Port-au-Prince. Inspired by the rich sounds of Haitian méringue, he and his band started playing a modernized, steady rhythm that was easy to dance to and impossible to ignore. What started as a local sensation quickly spread, earning its name “Compas Direct” for its direct, straightforward tempo.

Founders and Pioneers

• Nemours Jean-Baptiste is widely known as the father of Konpa.

• His bandmates, like Richard Duroseau, helped establish the sound.

• Later, rival bands such as Webert Sicot’s Cadence Rampa pushed the style to new heights.

These artists gave Konpa its signature sound: a steady drumbeat, sharp guitar lines, spirited horn sections, and call-and-response vocals.

Growth Through the Decades

Each era of Konpa brought its own flavor:

• 1950s–60s: The genre exploded in Haiti, quickly becoming the go-to music at parties and public gatherings.

• 1970s–80s: Konpa bands traveled, performing in the US, Canada, France, and beyond. Haitian communities in New York and Miami hosted nightclubs and radio shows dedicated to Konpa.

• 1990s–Present: Konpa evolved, blending with other styles like zouk and salsa. Younger musicians added keyboards and digital production. Despite trends, the core rhythm remains unmistakable.

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Influence at Home and Abroad

Konpa is more than just music. Its influence is visible everywhere:

• Dance: Couples move smoothly to Konpa’s steady two-step, a staple at family events and Haitian weddings.

• Fashion: Performers set trends, wearing stylish suits or bold outfits on stage.

• Community: For Haitians abroad, Konpa links generations, reminding people of home and heritage.

You’ll also hear musicians in Caribbean, African, and even Latin genres borrowing from Konpa’s catchy rhythm and arrangements.

The Meaning of Konpa’s Anniversary

The 70th anniversary of Konpa is more than a milestone; it’s a celebration of resilience, unity, and cultural pride. Honoring July 26 as Konpa Day recognizes a genre that has moved with Haitian people through good times and hard times alike. In New York City, where many Haitians have made a second home, this music keeps traditions alive and invites everyone to join the celebration.

Councilmember Rita Joseph’s Vision and Advocacy

Councilmember Rita Joseph brings heart and vision as she fights to recognize Haitian Konpa in New York City. Her push for an official “Haitian Konpa Day” shines a light on the deep impact of Haitian culture in the city. Rita’s story is closely tied to her community, and her passion for this resolution goes beyond a love for music. Let’s look at what drives her and what she hopes this celebration will bring.

Why Now: Marking a Historic Milestone

This year, Konpa (Compas Direct) marks its 70th anniversary. Rita Joseph saw the perfect time for something bold and fitting—a citywide celebration. In her words to Haitianbeatz, she said, “Especially as we celebrate 70 years of Compas Direct, I thought it was fitting that every year, July 26 across NYC is Konpa Day.” The milestone adds extra meaning to the resolution by tying history to the present.

She recognizes that now, more than ever, Haitian Americans and their music deserve a spotlight in the vibrant mosaic that is New York. The goal is not only to honor the past but to invite new generations to join the celebration and keep traditions alive. The resolution is co-sponsored by Councilmembers Narcisse and William.

Deep Roots: Rita Joseph’s Ties to the Haitian Community

Councilmember Joseph’s advocacy comes from a place of personal pride. As one of only a handful of Haitian American voices on the City Council, she lives the culture every day. She’s been a leader in her Brooklyn neighborhood, working with Haitian families on everything from education to local festivals.

Her connection means she understands what Konpa means—how it plays at birthdays, weddings, and every family gathering. To Rita and many others, Konpa isn’t just music. It’s a tie to home, history, and hope. By pushing for this resolution, she stands up for all the unsung stories in the Haitian diaspora.

Goals for Annual Celebration: Bringing Everyone to the Table

Rita Joseph sees Haitian Konpa Day as more than a calendar event. She wants it to be a yearly tradition that:

• Brings New Yorkers of all backgrounds together to dance, learn, and enjoy.

• Puts Haitian heritage front and center in public life, not just in private homes or cultural centers.

• Supports local Haitian artists and businesses by giving them a bigger platform.

• Builds pride among Haitian youth born in the US, encouraging them to stay connected to their roots.

• Organize seminar and panel discussions, that talk about the importance of that day.

When shared with Haitianbeatz, she expressed a hope that this day would foster deeper unity in the city. For Rita, music is a bridge—a way to break barriers and open hearts.

Inspiring a Ripple Effect: Hoping Other Cities Will Join In

Rita Joseph is clear about her hope that New York City will set an example. She wants other cities with big Haitian populations, like Miami and Boston, to follow suit. A city-wide Konpa Day is about more than New York—it’s about giving Haitian culture the respect it deserves all across America.

In celebrating Konpa, she invites others to pick up the baton. The dream is that soon, every Haitian community in the country will have a day devoted to its most beloved rhythms, dances, and shared memories.

Officially making July 26 "Haitian Konpa Day" would be more than just a nod to a music genre. For New York City, it brings visibility and pride to Haitian heritage in the city’s buzzing cultural scene. It confirms that Haitian contributions matter—front and center. Across the city, people would see, hear, and feel the rhythms that have shaped families and neighborhoods for decades. This type of recognition brings new energy, encourages inclusion, and empowers immigrant communities to share their stories out loud.

Konpa’s Presence in New York: Venues, Festivals, and Local Artists

Haitian Konpa colors New York’s music scene with its infectious rhythms. You can hear Konpa live in some of the city’s most vibrant gathering spots:

• Legendary venues: Clubs and lounges in Brooklyn and Queens, like SOB’s, Kaché Restaurant, Bentley’s,  LK Lounge, Chloe’s, Moonlight Corner, L’Antillaise, Ou Lala Café and Lounge, Le Spot, Chez Mireille regularly host Konpa nights. These places become mini-Haiti, packed with dancers moving to the steady beat.

• Annual festivals: Every summer, thousands gather for events like Haitian Day Parade, Venus’s Annual Labor Day Festival,  Labor Day Carnival on Eastern Parkway, and Haitian Flag Day. Konpa bands headline these parties, bringing crowds together in the open air.

• Homegrown talent: Local groups such as Harmonik, Klass, Nu Look, Kaï, VAYB, Kreyol La, Rutshellee Guillaume, Bedjine and Kadillak and many others along with DJs and up-and-coming artists, keep the Konpa sound current and fresh. These artists are shaping NYC’s musical mix, often blending Konpa with genres like hip-hop, afrobeats, and salsa.

• Community celebrations: From weddings to street fairs, it’s common to find Konpa as the soundtrack. Haitian DJs and bands are a staple at private and public events.

Konpa holds its own in New York’s melting pot of cultures. It sparks curiosity and friendships, inviting anyone with open ears to join the celebration. TheSo, whether you’re Haitian or not, Konpa is a bridge that connects people across backgrounds.

Community and Economic Impact

A citywide Haitian Konpa Day would ripple well beyond dance floors. It has the power to lift up local communities in visible and lasting ways:

• Boosts local businesses: Restaurants and cafes owned by Haitians would see more customers eager to try traditional food and drinks. Record stores, clothing brands, and craft shops get a spotlight on their work during events.

• Promotes Haitian-owned enterprises: The day gives Haitian entrepreneurs a bigger audience. Whether it’s custom cakes, handcrafted jewelry, or cultural tours, shops would get fresh attention from new visitors.

• Drives cultural tourism: Travelers seeking authentic NYC experiences would add Konpa Day to their calendars. Parades, live music nights, pop-up food markets, and dance workshops could draw visitors and their spending.

• Energizes nightlife: Clubs and event spaces could host special Konpa shows, creating jobs for musicians, bloggers, DJs, photographers, and event organizers.

Celebrating Haitian heritage citywide creates real opportunities. It shares a proud story, keeps traditions moving forward, and helps locals get a piece of the economic action. With city support, the Haitian community can show how powerful their culture is—both in spirit and in business.

Konpa’s heartbeats have filled rooms, parades, and radio waves for seventy years. Marking July 26 as Haitian Konpa Day isn’t just about honoring a genre—it’s a promise to keep these sounds alive for anyone who finds joy in them. This recognition carries the music’s story to new listeners and invites every generation, old and new, to step onto the dance floor. Here's what Haitian Konpa Day could mean for the future of the culture, both in New York and for Haitians across the country.

Konpa has always been a bridge between generations. Elders who danced to Nemours Jean-Baptiste’s earliest hits now share the same rhythms with grandchildren in Brooklyn basements or Queens backyards. Haitian Konpa Day puts that tradition front and center.

For many immigrant families, culture can fade with each new generation. A citywide day makes it easier for parents to talk about where they come from and why it matters. That shared music keeps the sense of belonging alive.

It’s easy for unique traditions to get drowned out in a city as big and busy as New York. Dedicating a day to Konpa sends a clear message: Haitian stories, dance, and music belong in the spotlight.

Konpa Day weaves Haitian identity into the city’s fabric. Parades, workshops, and concerts become places where people honor the past while celebrating who they are right now. The result is a living, growing tradition that refuses to get lost in the shuffle.

Music grows and travels, just like people do. In New York, Konpa blends with other genres—R&B, hip-hop, zouk, even pop music—to create something new with every generation. Haitian Konpa Day gives space for this creativity.

Haitian Konpa Day doesn’t lock the music in the past. Instead, it creates a stage for artists to

Marking July 26 as Haitian Konpa Day is about honoring the past and making sure the heartbeat of Haitian music keeps going strong, no matter where life takes it. Every new celebration adds another layer to the story, strengthening the ties between people, place, and song.

Rita Joseph’s resolution offers a real chance to lift Haitian music and celebrate a history that belongs to all New Yorkers. Making July 26 Haitian Konpa Day sends a message that every beat, every memory, and every gathering in the Haitian community matters in this city. New York gets stronger when it celebrates the cultures that keep it moving.

I report, you decide.