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Kes the Band gets "Liki Tiki" with Haitian producer and singer

New single marries Soca with Kompa music

Loop Entertainment
March 18, 2022 10:25 AM ET
Kees Dieffenthaller, lead vocalist of Kes the Band.
Kees Dieffenthaller, lead vocalist of Kes the Band.

Port of Spain meets Port-au-Prince as Trinidad and Tobago soca starsKes The Band link up with Haitian-born producer Michaël Brun (J Balvin, Mr Eazi) and singer JPerryon “Liki Tiki.”

The track,co-written and co-produced with Trinidad-based Dwala, is out today on all DSPs via California-based Ineffable Records. 

The track blends up a stew of Caribbean music genres, most notably Soca and Kompa, with Trini patois and Kreyòl lyrics, for a summer-ready, slow-wine jam.

Liki Tiki is the way I describe our calypso-style rhythms and feel,” says Kes frontman Kees Dieffenthaller. “It’s the driving force behind the swing in our music. It's smooth, sexy and makes you feel good.”

In recent years, both Kes and Michaël Brun have emerged as leaders in championing Caribbean music globally— Kes with soca and calypso, the homegrown sounds of Trinidad and Tobago, and Brun with Haitian music genres such as Kompa and Rara. It was only natural for the two to join forces to merge their islands’ sounds, along with influences from the broader African diaspora. 

“From the moment I was able to link up with Kees, it was clear he cared so much about Trinidadian and Caribbean culture, unifying the Caribbean, and creating a strong bond between us artists and what we're doing,” Michaël Brun says.

Kes has the same mission as JPerry and myself. Kes is an artist bringing soca to the world and JPerryis bringing Haitian music to the world. The balance feels fresh and rooted.”

“Liki Tiki” is the second single of 2022 from Kes, following January’s “Jolene.”

Both tracks are set to appear on the band’s upcoming album, coming this Summer on Ineffable Records. 

To celebrate the release of “Liki Tiki” and Caribbean music culture, Kes will launch a series of IG Live conversations with friends and collaborators, starting today with Michaël Brun.Fans can tune into the chat on Kes’ Instagram page live at 6 pm EST.

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