Wesli is the stage name of Haitian-Canadian musician Wesley Louissaint, born in 1980 and based in Port-au-Prince and Montréal. He is a singer, guitarist, percussionist, producer and arranger who works in reggae, afro-beat, roots music and related world music styles.

Background

Wesli is born and raised in Haiti and comes from a poor and violent neighbourhood there. His music is shaped by that experience and by a desire to offer hope and a better future to younger generations. He is also described as a Montreal revelation.

Style and influences

His sound draws on artists such as Bob Marley and Fela Kuti. It combines reggae, afro-beat and roots music with a clear focus on truth, peace and justice. His arrangements use a wide range of instrumentation, including African instruments such as cora, balaphone, calabash and talking drum, alongside Haitian drums such as manman tambou, segon and kata. Guitar and saxophone solos are also part of the sound.

Debut album

Wesli’s debut album, Kouraj, includes songs such as “Ghetto”, “La vi dròl” and the title track “Kouraj”. The record addresses daily struggle in Haiti, including poverty, kidnappings and environmental problems. Much of it is sung in Creole and French, with one English song, “Na wè yo”, which focuses on the forgotten people of Africa, past exploitation and conflict, and ongoing struggles for basic living conditions and equality.

Themes

Across this material, Wesli presents music as a form of social commentary, linking local Haitian realities with broader questions of oppression, justice and dignity. His work also places emphasis on environmental issues and corruption.