Mikaben

{{Short description|Haitian singer, songwriter, producer (1981–2022)}} {{Expand French|topic=bio| Michael Benjamin|date=April 2024}} {{Use American English|date=October 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Mikaben | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Michael Benjamin | birth_date = {{Birth date|1981|6|27}} | birth_place = Port-au-Prince, Haiti | death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|10|15|1981|6|27}} | death_place = 12th arrondissement of Paris, France | death_cause = | alias = Mika, Mikaben | origin = | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|producer}} | genre = {{hlist|Compas|zouk|dancehall}} | instrument = {{Hlist|Vocals | guitar | piano}} | years_active = 1999–2022 | label = | website = }}

'''Michael Benjamin''' (June 27, 1981 – October 15, 2022), better known as '''Mikaben''', was a Haitian singer, songwriter and record producer.

== Life and career == Michael Benjamin was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on 27 June 1981. He was the son of Haitian singer Lionel Benjamin. He began his career in 1999 in a Christmas contest televised special that was hosted every December called "Konkou Chante Nwel" where he won fifth place. Michael Benjamin was known as a producer, a singer, and a songwriter and dabbled in many Afro-Caribbean genres such as konpa, twoubadou, rap kreyol, soca, and reggae.<ref name="letelegramme">{{cite web |url=https://www.letelegramme.fr/musique/mort-du-chanteur-haitien-mikaben-en-plein-concert-a-paris-16-10-2022-13200680.php |website=letelegramme.fr |last= |first= |date=October 16, 2022 |title=Mort du chanteur haïtien Mikaben en plein concert à Paris |access-date=16 October 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018043028/https://www.letelegramme.fr/musique/mort-du-chanteur-haitien-mikaben-en-plein-concert-a-paris-16-10-2022-13200680.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="LeMonde">{{cite web |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/musiques/article/2022/10/16/le-chanteur-haitien-mikaben-est-mort-samedi-sur-scene-lors-d-un-concert-a-paris_6146034_1654986.html#:~:text=N%C3%A9%20%C3%A0%20Port%2Dau%2DPrince,qui%20vient%20de%20s'%C3%A9teindre. |website=Le Monde |last= |first= |date=October 16, 2022 |title=Le chanteur haïtien Mikaben est mort samedi sur scène, lors d'un concert à Paris |language=fr |trans-title=Haitian singer Mikaben died Saturday on stage, during a concert in Paris |access-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018043035/https://www.lemonde.fr/musiques/article/2022/10/16/le-chanteur-haitien-mikaben-est-mort-samedi-sur-scene-lors-d-un-concert-a-paris_6146034_1654986.html#:~:text=N%C3%A9%20%C3%A0%20Port%2Dau%2DPrince,qui%20vient%20de%20s'%C3%A9teindre. |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Death == On the night of 15–16 October 2022, Benjamin died during a concert at the Accor Arena in Paris. He was 41 years old.<ref name="Miami Herald">{{cite web |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article267368277.html |website=miamiherald.com |last=Charles |first=Jacqueline |date=October 16, 2022|title=Michael "Mikaben" Benjamin. Haitian recording artist is dead. He was 41 |access-date=16 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="Lenouvelliste Haiti">{{cite web |url=https://lenouvelliste.com/article/238568/michael-benjamin-meurt-sur-scene-en-plein-concert-de-carimi/amp |website=lenouvelliste.com |last=Duval |first=Frantz |date=October 16, 2022 |title=Michael Benjamin meurt sur scène en plein concert de Carimi |access-date=16 October 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018043018/https://lenouvelliste.com/article/238568/michael-benjamin-meurt-sur-scene-en-plein-concert-de-carimi/amp |url-status=live }}</ref> He suffered a cardiac arrest on stage during his performance. Benjamin succumbed shortly after, despite rescue efforts.<ref name="leparisien">{{cite web |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/musique/deces-sur-scene-du-chanteur-mikaben-haiti-a-perdu-lun-de-ses-flambeaux-16-10-2022-46S25TJBNZEYLLRKTK6WJ6IGRY.php |website=leparisien.fr |last=Baronian |first=Renaud |date=October 16, 2022 |title=Décès sur scène du chanteur Mikaben : "Haïti a perdu l'un de ses flambeaux" |access-date=16 October 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018043019/https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/musique/deces-sur-scene-du-chanteur-mikaben-haiti-a-perdu-lun-de-ses-flambeaux-16-10-2022-46S25TJBNZEYLLRKTK6WJ6IGRY.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == {{Portal|Biography|Haiti}} * [https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9lXSviXqAa0zsrufGDtM8g?feature=gws_kp_artist&feature=gws_kp_artist Mikaben] on YouTube * {{discogs artist|Mikaben}} * {{IMDb name|11087304}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mikaben}} Category:1981 births Category:2022 deaths Category:Musicians from Port-au-Prince Category:21st-century Haitian musicians Category:Haitian record producers Category:Musicians who died on stage