Serge Turnier, known professionally as Power Surge, is one of Haiti’s most influential music producers and executives. His career spans over a decade, marked by producing breakthrough hits like “Toi et Moi” for T-Vice and founding Power Surge Music Group, a full-service record label.
This interview explores his creative philosophy, the realities of building a sustainable music career in Haiti, and the lessons he’s learned from collaborating with both emerging and established artists in Haitian and international markets.
From Childhood Piano to Industry Executive
Power Surge’s introduction to music came early. At age three, he began reproducing melodies he heard on the radio using a keyboard his father kept at home. His aunt, a piano teacher, noticed his natural ability and offered formal lessons, which he accepted eagerly.
His classical training, however, did not align with his creative instincts. “I never really liked classical music,” he explains. “I couldn’t understand the concept of replaying someone’s music, whether it be the greats like Mozart, Beethoven, or Chopin, when I can actually just create my own.” By age twelve, he abandoned formal lessons and began writing original compositions.
This early independence proved prescient. While still in high school, he co-founded SUAVE, a musical group that performed alongside some of Haiti’s biggest acts. By age fifteen, he had already shared the stage with T-Vice, Sweet Micky, Djakout Fever, and Jamaican artist Beenie Man—an extraordinary achievement for an adolescent musician in Haiti’s competitive industry.
Building a Production Career: “Toi et Moi” and Beyond
Power Surge’s breakthrough production came through an organic collaboration with singer Olivier Duret.
The two met in school, and when Duret learned that Power Surge was producing music with increasing skill, he expressed interest in working together. “He told me he had a beat if I was interested,” Duret recalled. “He made me listen to it, and that’s how ‘Toi et Moi’ came about.”
“Toi et Moi” (You and Me), an uptempo ballad with a frenetic beat designed to underscore a tumultuous love story, became one of Power Surge’s most recognized works—particularly in its later T-Vice version, which achieved significant regional popularity across Guadeloupe, Martinique, and France.
Duret’s perspective on Power Surge’s production approach offers insight into his working style. “As a producer, he is very energetic. He also lets you do your own thing while taking your ideas and suggestions into consideration. I think he is very talented as a producer—very versatile.
He is able to mix different styles together while keeping it in the same genre. Very original.”
Power Surge’s production credits expanded significantly in the 2010s, including the Sony/ATV-published album “One Life To Live” by JPerry and the 2012 Haitian Carnival theme song “Dekole” featuring Shabba and Izolan—a government-endorsed track that brought official recognition from then-President Michel Martelly.
Creative Process: How Power Surge Builds a Track
Power Surge’s methodology is grounded in instinct rather than rigid formula. “I usually grab my keyboard, pick a sound that I like, and just start messing around with melodies until I find something that grabs me. And I build the rest of the song around that.”
When asked which element comes naturally to him—melody or lyrics—his answer was unambiguous: “Coming with a melody.” This reflects a producer-first approach in which sonic identity precedes verbal content, a method that aligns with his stated influences: Timbaland and Ansyto Mercier, both known for distinctive, beat-driven production styles.
On Working with Artists: Energy, Vision, and Loyalty
Power Surge’s advice to emerging producers reveals both optimism and caution. “Being a part of a team is always a good thing, but I wouldn’t let that stop any producer from pursuing their dream. In this day and age, it’s hard to find reliable and loyal people to be a part of your team.”
He emphasizes craft over circumstances: “My suggestion to up-and-coming producers is to just work at bettering their craft no matter who’s with them or not. Just be the best at what you’re doing and keep working no matter what.”
However, he also acknowledges the limits of team collaboration. “Being a part of a team is great when everyone is on the same page. When people on your team are lazy or just don’t have the same vision as you, it will slow you down—or worse—actually break your career.”
Assessing Artist Talent
When evaluating potential collaborators, Power Surge employs a straightforward diagnostic approach. “I usually ask them if they have any previous work. And I listen to their stuff, ask them a few questions about their process in the studio—if they write their own stuff, etc. And usually just take it from there.”
The Business Reality: Why Budget Matters
A recurring theme in Power Surge’s advice concerns the financial framework of music production. When artists approach him, his first question is direct: “What’s their budget?” This pragmatism stems not from greed but from business fundamentals.
“Producing a successful song needs a budget,” he explains. “Either it’s for promo, recording, production, video, graphics, marketing, etc. A lot of people think that the music industry is all about making music. It’s not.
It’s a full-blown business. Making music is the easy and fun part. The other very important part is to make it become a hit record on the streets and the radio, then translating the popularity of the record into capital.”
This distinction separates hobby musicians from industry professionals—and Power Surge considers it essential knowledge for anyone entering the field.
Mentorship: Guidance for Up-and-Coming Producers
For high school graduates considering production as a career, Power Surge’s roadmap is pragmatic. “Well, first is knowing what producing is. Understand what it is that you will be doing as a producer with the artists. Then, figuring out what are the best gears to have in order to make it work. And then, just start working.”
He stresses the importance of production fundamentals—understanding the role, acquiring quality equipment, and committing to consistent output—before seeking collaborations or launching a record label.
The Two Tracks That Mean the Most
When reflecting on his discography, Power Surge identifies two productions as personally significant, each representing a different milestone in his career.
“Do it” featuring Flo Rida holds symbolic weight as “the first time I produced a song with a chart-topping artist. It was one of my goals as a producer, then when it happened, it meant a lot to me.”
The second is “Toi et Moi” by T-Vice. “This song is by far the most popular song I have in the Haitian music industry and it means a lot to me because when I sent it to the T-Vice guys, I wasn’t sure that they would have picked the song to work with because it was so different from all the stuff they were doing.
I’m glad they were open-minded enough to do so.”
Power Surge’s strategic vision for the track was to expand T-Vice’s audience. “My whole approach was that I wanted to produce a song for T-Vice with a new sound in order to reach different target markets. It worked out really well because ‘Toi et Moi’ is one of the biggest records on the radio in Guadeloupe, Martinique, and France.”
The Darker Side: Challenges in the Haitian Music Industry
Despite his success, Power Surge is candid about the industry’s darker realities. When asked what it’s like being in the music business, his response is unfiltered: “It sucks. I honestly think I’m going to retire pretty soon.
I’m so burnt out. I’m tired.”
His frustrations reflect systemic issues within Haiti’s music ecosystem. “People judge me without knowing me. Plus, there’s no loyalty in the game. People I have worked with for years have betrayed me for peanuts. Everybody has their own agenda and they are willing to cut throats in order to get their piece of the pie.”
Exploitation of emerging producers is endemic. “Other people have approached me to help them produce their records, even though they had no money to pay me.
I accepted to help them and in the middle of the project they decide to go with a different producer—or they have a different vision—as if all the work I was doing did not even matter.”
Power Surge’s frustration with the Haitian market is balanced by recognition of international opportunity. “Thank God, music is not the only thing that puts food on my table. I would have been on the streets. Anyways, this is just to say that as a producer in the Haitian music industry, there is no real money. In the international market, yes there is—if you have a good lawyer, a good manager—and of course good music—you will be fine.”
Family Support and the Road to Recognition
Power Surge’s parents were initially skeptical of his music career. “In the beginning of my career—which was about 13 years ago—my parents were skeptical because I was young. They didn’t think I knew what I wanted, even though I was already being very successful.”
His teenage success—including collaborations with major Haitian groups while still in high school—did not immediately convince them.
Like many immigrant Haitian parents, they prioritized educational and financial security. “My parents supported me in my decisions, but of course, wanted me to take the safe route and get a degree in something other than music and get a secure job.”
However, as his career matured and financial stability followed, their perspective shifted. “They are really happy and proud of my accomplishments.” Power Surge now understands their initial caution through the lens of parenthood himself. “I understand now what they meant because I have a kid of my own.
But at the end of the day, the fact is that I made it work and now I’m grateful to the Lord that I am in a position to be able to provide for my family—which ultimately is what matters.”
Beyond Production: Power Surge Music Group and the Future
Recognizing the gaps in Haiti’s music infrastructure, Power Surge founded Power Surge Music Group to support emerging artists. The label offers production, distribution, and event promotion services while addressing broader community needs—including annual toy drives for Haitian orphanages.
When asked about producing records as an artist himself, Power Surge remains open but uncommitted. “I thought about it. Maybe I’ll do a producer’s album and feature on a few songs. But it’s only in the back of my head.
Nothing concrete yet. We will see.”
His immediate future remains uncertain. “Honestly, I have no idea what my future in music is looking like. I haven’t been active lately.
I got contacted by a few people I worked with in the past because they are now working on their new projects.” The toll of decades in an industry marked by disloyalty and financial instability is evident, yet his influence and legacy in Haiti’s music landscape remain substantial.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Producers
- Start with fundamentals: understand the role, invest in quality equipment, and commit to consistent output before seeking collaboration.
- Build your craft relentlessly, regardless of team composition. Surrounding yourself with unmotivated or misaligned collaborators will slow or break your career.
- Recognize that music production is not just art—it is a full business requiring budgets for promotion, distribution, marketing, and visibility.
- Be selective about who you mentor. Establish clear agreements and payment terms to avoid exploitation, which is endemic in underdeveloped music markets.
- International markets offer revenue potential that domestic markets often cannot sustain. Consider global licensing, publishing deals, and synchronization opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Power Surge get his stage name?
A: His real name is Serge Turnier. When introducing himself in the United States, people would hear “Serge” and respond, “Like a power surge?” After a client and musician friend from London used the name on a song called “In My Hood,” the moniker stuck and eventually became more fitting for his career trajectory.
Q: What are Power Surge’s main musical influences?
A: Power Surge cites Timbaland and Ansyto Mercier as his primary influences. He admires both for their distinctive production styles, versatility, and ability to remain relevant across changing industry trends. Timbaland’s innovative sound design and Mercier’s mastery of both keyboard and production craft informed his own approach to beat-making and arrangement.
Q: What is Power Surge Music Group?
A: Power Surge Music Group is a full-service record label founded by Serge Turnier to support emerging Haitian artists. The label provides music production, distribution, and event promotion services while maintaining a commitment to social responsibility through annual toy drives and donations to Haitian orphanages.
Q: Why does Power Surge believe budget is important when evaluating new artists?
A: Power Surge asks potential collaborators about their budget not to turn away artists, but to assess their seriousness and understanding of the music industry as a business. A realistic budget covers production, promotion, video, graphics, and marketing—all essential components of turning a recorded song into a commercial success.
Without budget, artists often lack the resources to market their work effectively.
Q: What challenges has Power Surge faced in the Haitian music industry?
A: Power Surge has experienced significant challenges including lack of artist loyalty, contractual exploitation, inadequate copyright protection under Haitian law, and minimal domestic revenue potential.
Many artists he mentored without payment have abandoned projects mid-way or sought other producers, and the limited monetization of recorded music in Haiti has forced him to diversify income sources (he has worked as an Enterprise Sales Manager for fintech company Verifone) to support his family.
Editorial Note
This profile was compiled using publicly available interviews with Power Surge, including a 2023 profile on Shout Out Atlanta, a 2012 interview with Dièz & Bemòl, and a 2017 documentary feature by Life of the Law on music copyright in Haiti. Career achievements and production credits were verified against independent sources including music streaming platforms and published interviews. Information about “Toi et Moi,” his most celebrated production, was cross-referenced with multiple sources documenting its regional popularity. We welcome corrections or additional context from Power Surge or collaborators regarding any claims made in this interview.
Last Updated on January 15, 2026 by kreyolicious
