Internationally renowned Haitian singer, Michael “Mikaben” Benjamin, died on stage from cardiac arrest while performing in Paris, France, on Saturday.
Benjamin, 41, collapsed on stage following a performance with the popular Haitian band Carimi on Oct. 15 in Paris.
Although the official cause of death is not determined, it is suspected the Haitian singer died from cardiac arrest.
In a video of the singer’s live performance, he is seen stepping out on stage before collapsing.
Watch
The singer was already feeling ill before his performance.
RELATED: Police Officer Dies after Suffering Cardiac Arrest during SWAT Team Training
The Haitian Times reported on Benjamin’s long successful career:
Benjamin’s musical career spanned more than 20 years, after he rose to fame in Haiti and abroad in the early 2000s with major hits like “Ou Pati” and popular collaborations with fellow Haitian Music Industry (HMI) stars like Carimi, Alan Cave and DJ Michael Brun. His range of skills came in full display after Konpa Kreyol, a popular band, split into two groups — Kreyol La and Krezi Mizik — and the latter recruited Benjamin to be its lead singer.
Benjamin’s vocal range made Krezi a tour de force in the Haitian Music Industry. He sang melodies and could captivate a carnival audience, moving throngs of revelers from right to left as they waved their bandanas in near delirium.
Benjamin is the son of Lionel Benjamin, affectionately known as the “Haitian Santa Claus” for his popular Christmas song, Abdenwèl. The elder Benjamin told The Haitian Times last year that Michael relished music from a young age and enjoyed watching him rehearse.
Benjamin and Fanfan married in November 2020 and had a daughter one year later. According to his Instagram posts, the pair was expecting their second child in December 2022.
In his last tweet, in French, Benjamin wished his ‘older brothers’ Carimi good luck at the Paris concert and thanked the band for opening doors for musicians like him who came after the trio.
The Haitian communities paid tribute to the singer.
I am not saying it.
World famous haitian singer? Does that actually exist?