BelTiFi, Inc.

BTF: You're our first Haitian-Canadian BelTiFi of the Month! What was it like growing up in Montreal?

KC: I only discovered the beauty of that city later in my life. Growing up its benefits were not consciously noticed, but they certainly shaped who I would become, especially musically. Montreal is one of the most culturally diverse cities I’ve experienced, and that without being segregated and living for the most part harmoniously. “A melting pot” they say, different cultures were right at my fingertips, shaping my musical influences. The place where that versatility was not reflected though, was on the radio. What I did get was Pop, Rock, Country, Folk, Jazz, and Dance music, and so that’s what I took, and served me well later as a writer. Being born in Haiti, the afro-beat was in my blood, my mom’s old French records were my playground, and finally the US added the missing link with the wonderful sounds of Soul, R&B, Funk and Gospel, I finally felt armed and confident I could write just about anything. But Montreal is a city that is not overcrowded and though you can find some level of hustle and bustle, it’s pretty much “slow pace” compared to a city like New York for example, so I had space and time to savor life, and notice details, it gave you a real sense of freedom, it’s a great city, I have very fond memories of Montreal, I’m happy I grew up there.

BTF: Music is a big part of your life. How did you discover your love for it?

KC: Music has been with me from day one, I was always aware of it, felt it deeply, and was attracted to it since I can remember. As soon as I could put two words together, I started writing and always had a melody to go with it. In many ways I think it chose me, even kidnapped me sometimes, I belong to it, it belongs to me, and we are one in the same. Very young I knew I was going to have a deep, long, intense, and beautiful love story with music. And like any love story there were ups and downs, surprises, sacrifices, compromises, hard work, many struggles and climaxes, and in the end we’re still in love, that’s how I know I was meant to do this.

BTF: How has your family responded to your career choice being that it is not considered a traditional profession?

KC: No way at all, I think I struggled with that aspect more than they did, what was more important to them was being polite, kind, respectful and all that great stuff. I was the one thinking “not very stable”, “I need a real job, some security”, “it’s a crazy life” and so on… But that didn’t last very long, I surrendered after toying around with different things, and that was it, I was in for the long hall, and here I am today.

BTF: You've worked with a lot of well known artists such as Stevie Wonder and Marc Anthony AND you were nominated for a Grammy! How do you stay humble through out these amazing collaborations and experiences?

KC: the beginning it was music I fell in love with, not fame. That’s what it’s always been about for me. I’m not easily distracted or impressed, and I like to know where I’m going, and so I stay on task, it’s good to have a plan, everything else, I just don’t deal with. It’s called “show business”, it’s not real, I don’t believe the hype, and real life keeps me plenty humble.

BTF: Where do you get the inspiration for the music you make?

KC: Everything in life for me translates and relates to music. An interesting, stimulating conversation will inspire a song, watching a movie, reading a book, hearing a note of music from a TV commercial, my friend’s romantic lives, my own sometimes, life period. Anything and everything will trigger a melody, lyrics, a concept for a song, it really can drive me crazy sometimes, because I have to quickly and gently excuse myself to quickly put it down. And every once in a while, I call them “the music lords” send me a gift, when that happens, whatever I’m doing has to stop, and I run to my recorder and try to capture that magic moment, and if I’m not fast enough it escapes and disappears before I can take my next breath. I live for those moments and anticipate the next time it will happen. I imagine that those melodies are always there floating around, and in the absence of noise, awareness of time, and if I’m still enough, I can capture them, it’s very hard to explain, I’m not sure what that is, but I know it’s not coming from me.

BTF: Do you feel the arts can help the youth in Haiti? If yes, how so?

KC: Absolutely, music provided a great sense of comfort in my life, it made me feel special, different, unique. It was my friend, my escape, my refuge, my therapy, what allowed me to dream, and that is so important. Music, kept me focused, very busy, and therefor kept me away from trouble. I’d love to share my experiences with Haiti’s youth, it might inspire them, and perhaps they’ll see their own capacity through me. To dream is to be alive, whatever it is, go for it, dream and dream big.

BTF: Last but not least, what makes you a BelTiFi?

KC: I consider myself to be a strong independent woman, and I’m a believer that hard work without compromising your integrity will get you there every time and eventually. In this very male dominated industry, if you don’t have that conduct you will be lost and will end up nowhere. I believe in myself and in my abilities, and so I don’t feel I have to compromise myself to get on or be on. Finally, I am a proud Haitian woman, a proud black woman, a proud woman. I love and celebrate my culture, and want to represent my country all over the world in the most positive light.