“Moi j’ai 5 pieds 4 et j’ai pas besoin d’escabeau”, sings Magdala in Grind Mode, a konpa track of her own. A colleague tells me that the Montreal singer has already tried in vain to make her mark in Quebec TV voice contests. What do you think?
We all know that these contests rarely lead to a singular career, and that a tiny minority of lucky ones make a long-term name for themselves in local pop for the general public.
Even fewer make a name for themselves like Dominique Fils-Aimé, who was also noticed in these contests, and who have the strength of character to forge their own path without following the dictates of FM pop.
Magdala, on the other hand, follows neither path and paves her own: this is Montreal’s new konpa, the new standard, her own!
Wednesday at Café Campus, in the context of Mundial Montréal, Magdala was hoping to convince professionals from all over the world to sign deals with showcase artists, including Magdala in this case.
It’s time for this artist to emerge beyond the Haitian diaspora circuit – Haiti, Paris, Miami, New York, Montreal, etc. Since the 50s, every generation of konpa has had its champions, and the style has never stopped evolving without getting the credit it deserves: konpa’s rhythmic cell is the mother of Afro-descendant beats as popular as zouk, reggaeton and Nigerian afrobeats.
Magdala maintains the rhythm and spirit of konpa, but adds a number of updates that give it a distinctive signature: different keyboards from the traditional Farfisa in konpa (although some Farfisian sounds are sometimes brought back to the menu!), heavier backbeat on drums and bass, greater emphasis on guitar, integration of soul/R&B and dancehall.
Magdala’s mezzo-soprano voice flows naturally, her stage presence exudes sensuality and star power, and her authority is unmistakable. To all intents and purposes, Magdala is ready for the big leagues. But, as we all know, many legitimate contenders for the big leagues don’t win the lottery of mass success… Magdala is relatively close to her goal, and we wish her every success, because she has everything she needs to get there. No need for a stepladder!
