Disip De Gazzman Couleur’s 2013 album Viktwa (Victory) is a kaleidoscopic showcase of Haitian kompa excellence, delivering 12 tracks that range from infectious dance anthems to emotionally layered ballads.
Lead singer Gazzman Pierre’s distinctive deep voice anchors the entire set, bringing authority and intimacy to both celebratory club tracks and introspective narratives about love, identity, and social struggle.This review breaks down the album’s standout moments, thematic focus, and what makes it essential listening for kompa fans.
What Makes This Guide Different
- Track-by-track lyrical analysis with direct song quotes and English translations
- Focus on production quality, vocal performance, and thematic coherence across the album
- Context on featured artists (Richard Cavé of Carimi, T-Pachou, Joe Zenny) and their contributions
- Identification of standout tracks by emotional and cultural impact
The Danceable Tracks: “Forever” and the Feel-Good Foundation
“Forever,” the opening danceable track, sets the album’s celebratory tone with a message of romantic devotion. The song showcases Gazzman Pierre’s command of melody and his ability to deliver intimate vocals over an uptempo kompa beat. The lyrics celebrate a woman as the source of strength and purpose, with Pierre singing in Haitian Creole:
Mwen pa janm wè’m san ou
Se bò kote’m mwen jwenn fòs avèk espwa
Mwen pa vle viv san ou
(I never see myself without you
Only at your side do I get my hope and strength
I don’t have any intentions of existing without you)
The track’s straightforward message and driving rhythm make it an ideal opening statement: love is not romantic fantasy but foundational to identity. This approach defines much of the album’s thematic concern with relationships as emotional anchors.
The Ballads: “Poukisa” and Emotional Depth
“Poukisa” (Why Is That), the album’s centerpiece ballad, features Richard Cavé—a founding member of the acclaimed kompa group Carimi—as a duet partner. The track builds with a guitar riff and layered vocal arrangements that underscore the song’s emotional stakes.
The song presents a narrative of one-sided devotion and emotional pain. The opening verse sets the hook:
Lanmou a kache, kache nan lòt katye
Mwen bouke soufri
Kilè ma jwenn lanmou
(Love is hiding, it’s so out of reach
I’m tired of all this suffering
When will I get a love of my own)
The chorus returns repeatedly, anchoring the song’s central question: why does the narrator endure emotional mistreatment? As the lyrics progress, the song reveals a relationship marked by public disrespect and emotional withdrawal.
Devan tout fanmi’m
Devan zanmi’m
Ou meprize’m doudou
(In front of all my kin
In the presence of my friends
You give me the cold shoulder)
The song’s narrative arc captures emotional estrangement: a partner who goes out and doesn’t come home, who withdraws affection, who humiliates in public. The narrator’s repeated question—”Why is it me you’re disrespecting?”—becomes the song’s emotional core, transforming a personal heartbreak into a universally recognizable experience of unrequited care.
The Gender-Role Reversal: “Madanm Mwen Mèt Pa Bon”
Few songs in kompa directly address male loyalty to a flawed partner. “Madanm Mwen Mèt Pa Bon” (So What If My Girl Is No Good) flips traditional relationship commentary by having male bandmates warn the narrator about his girlfriend’s questionable behavior—and the narrator simply refuses to listen.
The song’s humor lies in its unapologetic defense of an imperfect love. When the narrator says:
Mwen pa mete pyès moun siviye madanm mwen
(I don’t remember giving a wife surveillance job to anyone)
He’s asserting autonomy and rejecting gossip culture. The song culminates in a comedic punch: even if his girlfriend’s virtue is questionable, at least she cooks and feeds him—a playful inversion of how kompa often frames female perfection as prerequisite for male commitment.
Featured Collaborations: “Sweet Love” and “Banm Bagay La”
“Sweet Love,” featuring T-Pachou (Tpachou Gabel), wraps a relatable narrative in a candy-sweet melody. The track balances the album’s heavier emotional themes with accessible, feel-good production. T-Pachou’s vocal contribution adds textural variety to Gazzman Pierre’s lead.
“Banm Bagay La” (Give It To Me), featuring Joe Zenny of Kreyol La, captures a different kompa tradition: the post-concert pursuit. The track is more comedic and club-focused than the album’s introspective moments, serving as a palate cleanser before the social commentary of the album’s later tracks.
Social Commentary and Spirituality: “Ekilib,” “Urgence,” and “Judah”
The album shifts register in its final third, addressing broader societal concerns. “Ekilib” (Equity), despite its title, isn’t about abstract fairness—it’s a concrete portrait of Haitian poverty and inequality:
Gen sa ki san zabri
Tandiske gen lòt ki toutouni
(Some have nowhere to live
Whereas others go without clothes)
The song catalogs homelessness, child labor, and economic despair, making “Ekilib” one of the album’s most thought-provoking moments. The vocal and instrumental arrangements—featuring layered strings and Pierre’s forceful delivery—elevate the song beyond complaint to something closer to prayer or lament.
“Urgence” (Urgency) speaks against corruption and social complacency with direct messaging. “Judah,” rooted in Biblical imagery, addresses divided loyalty and betrayal, connecting spiritual concerns to social fragmentation.
The Album’s Range: From Dance to Devotion
“Pour Le Meilleur Et Pour Le Pire” (For Better, For Worse) offers a half-serious, half-humorous take on marriage vows, while “Leader” is a high-energy, convention-ready track that asserts the rarity of true leadership. The album’s title track, “Viktwa,” rounds out the set with uplifting arrangement and vocal showcases.
What unifies these 12 tracks is Gazzman Pierre’s consistent vocal authority. His voice—described in biographical sources as grave, powerful, and distinctive—anchors every moment, whether he’s celebrating love, mourning heartbreak, or confronting social injustice. The production quality varies appropriately: dance tracks burst with rhythm, ballads settle into introspection, and social commentary tracks build with instrumental intensity.
Standout Achievements
- Best Vocal & Production: “Forever” and “Poukisa” showcase the strongest vocal performances and most polished arrangements
- Most Thought-Provoking Lyrics: “Ekilib” offers concrete social observation wrapped in urgent emotional delivery
- Best Thematic Innovation: “Madanm Mwen Mèt Pa Bon” inverts kompa gender conventions through comedic male loyalty
- Best Collaborations: Featuring artists Richard Cavé, Joe Zenny, and T-Pachou add vocal variety and collaborative energy
FAQ: Viktwa and Disip De Gazzman Couleur
Who is Gazzman Pierre and what is his role in kompa music?
Gazzman Pierre, known professionally as Gazzman Couleur, is a Haitian kompa vocalist and producer born in Gonaïves, Haiti. He co-founded Disip (short for disciples or disciples of the art) and previously performed with prominent kompa groups. His voice is characterized by a deep, powerful timbre that has become a signature feature of his solo and collaborative work.
What is kompa music and why does it matter to Haitian culture?
Kompa (or compas direct) is a dance music genre native to Haiti, characterized by a distinctive two-beat rhythm, brass instrumentation, and lyrical focus on social and romantic themes. It emerged in the 1950s and remains central to Haitian identity, serving as a soundtrack for celebrations, social commentary, and community gatherings both in Haiti and among diaspora communities worldwide.
Is “Viktwa” a concept album with a unified narrative?
No. Viktwa is a thematically coherent album that groups songs by emotional territory rather than by a single narrative arc.
The first half emphasizes romantic relationships and personal devotion; the second half introduces social and spiritual concerns. “Victory” in the title refers to Gazzman Pierre’s artistic persistence and the album’s affirmation of kompa as a vehicle for both celebration and serious reflection.
Why is Richard Cavé featured on “Poukisa”?
Richard Cavé is a vocalist known for his work with Carimi, a major Haitian kompa group. His featuring on “Poukisa” brings collaborative prestige and vocal counterpoint to the ballad, adding emotional texture to the song’s theme of unreciprocated love. The duet format allows both singers to explore different emotional perspectives on the same narrative.
What tracks should I listen to first if I’m new to kompa?
Start with “Forever” for an accessible, celebratory entry point with clear melody and positive energy. Follow with “Poukisa” to experience the genre’s capacity for emotional depth and vocal sophistication. Then try “Ekilib” to hear kompa’s social commentary tradition. These three tracks represent the album’s full emotional and thematic range.
Where can I find Viktwa and other Disip releases?
Viktwa is available on major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube. The album was released in 2013 and remains in print across digital services. Disip has also released live recordings and subsequent studio albums, all available through the same platforms.
Editorial Note
This review was prepared using album metadata from official music platforms (Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music) and biographical information from official sources including Gazzman Couleur’s SoundCloud profile and Instagram. Lyric translations are direct renderings from Haitian Creole to English. Featured artist credits are drawn from official album credits.
Interpretations of song themes and lyrical content reflect close listening and thematic analysis. If you have corrections or additional context about the album or featured artists, please share them in the comments section below.
Last Updated on January 15, 2026 by kreyolicious
