Mixtape: Eat My Butterfly
We are delighted to welcome and share this very special mixtape by Eat My Butterfly (Dilo) which delves deep into the history of Reunion island’s incredibly rich ‘Maloya’ music. The mix is titled ‘Ankraz Rénion’. You can listen to the mixtape below and we encourage you to read Dilo’s words below on the context of this special selection.
“The songs I chose for this mixtape reveal not only what moves me personally but also songs that I find representative of the island’s musical diversity.
La Reunion is interesting because it is located in the Indian Ocean but it remains a French island. The island was under slavery and its music was born out of the mix between the slaves and those who came under indentured labour from Madagascar, East Africa, India, China, etc. Nowadays, many different communities live all together on this fertile land.
The island’s traditional music is known as ‘Maloya’ and has been evolving since it was first played by the slaves. ‘Maloya’ is played with percussive instruments (roulèr, sati, kayamb, bobre) and accompanied by vocals (lead and responses). It is powerful music that is used ceremonially by the elders but also as a way to deal with the pain. ‘Maloya’ lyrics are also renowned for offering societal or political commentary, critical of society, of government and injustice.
For many years ‘Maloya’ was forbidden and had to be played in secret right up until the 1980s. This meant that for a long time, and even to some extent today, it was hard to be proud of ‘Maloya’ and to export. In the post-colonial society the creole culture was completely undermined – ‘Maloya’ was forbidden, it was illegal to speak creole in schools and the government invested in propaganda to make people believe the future was in France.
This mixtape represents a very short summary of important traditional musicians that kept the fire going during this time. They are active in this struggle and have marked the history of Reunion with their militant music.
Of course, I couldn’t resist adding some modern examples too and chose to highlight electronic music that uses traditional beats and lyrics. I feel this new aesthetic may be the way for Maloya music to finally travel from Reunion to the world!”
Tracklist
1. Alain Peters – Maya.
This artist is very special to the people of Reunion because he brought other instruments to ‘Maloya’ music and was also one of the first to amplify it.
2. Zanmari Baré – Blandine
3. Maya Kamaty – Dark River ( Babani Soundsystem Rework)
4. Danyel Waro – Po min bondyé
Danyèl is definitely the most well-known ‘Maloya’ artist internationally. This track is very interesting because of the ‘tambours malbars’ (the use of indian percussion and rhythms).
5. Urbain Philéas – Salangano
Urbain comes from a very powerful ‘Maloya’ family from the east of the island and his style is very energetic with strong percussion and vocals. He defends the protection of the ‘Maloya’ treasure but also expands it, digging into the roots of the island’s history.
6. Firmin Viry – Kel destiné
This artist is one of the style’s pioneers from the south of the Island. This track was one of the very first ‘Maloya’ songs to be pressed on vinyl.
7. Cubenx & Boogzbrown – Chants à malheur
8. Kaloune – Fonkyman Dombolo
9. Loya – Amba feat. Menwar
10. Madame Baba – Pa besoin ti plèr po mwin
She is one of the few women (for now ;)) making ‘Maloya’ music. As well as playing the roulèr and singing, she used to host ceremonies to the ancestors, known as servis.
11. Patrick Manent – Kabaré Atèr (Jako Maron Remix)
12. Granmoun Lélé – Soléyé
Granmoun lélé, the father of Urbain was a traditional singer known for singing in the ceremonial style and then creating his own band which went on to tour the world. The legacy he left is incredible.
13. Maxime Laope & Benoite Boulard – Pauline
14. Oussanousava – Loder mon pei
15. Ziskakan – Bato Fou
16. Lélin Gado – Zantak
17. Lo Rwa Kaf – Ma komer
Another of the ‘Maloya’ pioneers from the east of the island. He is also an inspiration for many contemporary ‘Maloya’ artists.
18. Celine Viry – Cette année qu’elle belle année
19. Labelle – Souviens-Toi
20. Eat My Butterfly – Laviyon (Danyèl Waro Rework)
21. Saya – Domin
22. Saodaj’ – Somin Lamour