![[HALO]](../../../../images/halo/HALOlogo-sm.jpg)
![[Mark Andrew Viard]](../images-09/mark-andrew-viard.jpg) Mark Andrew Viard "Kiko" Musician/Artist |
Born on September 21, 1980, in New York, Kiko, Mark Andrew Viard, lived in the center of the Caribbean diaspora community
in Brooklyn. He lived in the US until the age of 12, and then moved to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This would be a turning
point of his life and the beginning of his journey through music.
Kiko, along with new found friends Jean Phillippe and Gregory Brière , Gaëtan Chancy, Cedric and Dominick Cauvin, T-Guy Francois, and Mikael Benjamin formed a young and ambitious band called Byen Vag. They started performing at parties, and made a name for themselves. Unfortunately Kiko’s success with the band was short-lived; at the age of 16, he was forced to move back to the US. Back in New York, Kiko adopted the many theories of Rastafarianism. Now with new inspiration, he dove back into writing music. Strong influences like Bob Marley, Sizzla, and Capleton inspired him to write more positive and conscious music. Kiko explains, "Like those artists, I want to use my music to spread the much needed positive message to the up and coming youth of today." Therefore, in 2001, Kiko returned to Haiti to embark on a new musical path. His musical career took on a new direction with diverse experiences, new friends, and different perspectives. Kiko started hanging out in Baz Cameroun in Bel-Air where he met a new friend, Dadie, who admired his style of music, and eventually introduced Kiko to Brothers Posse. Unfortunately, this merger would not last long. Dadie and Kiko decided to form their own band called Tru Rasta; they were an immediate success! Tru Rasta’s 2004 carnival was a number one hit throughout the country. Although Kiko had to leave sometime after, the band continues their success today with exciting new tunes. Meanwhile, Kiko continued the movement by not only creating his own music, but by also writing hit songs such as "Yon ti Chans" for Mikael Benjamin, and "Bèl Ti Cheri" for Groov La. Today, Kiko is working on his long-anticipated solo album, set to be released in 2009. Currently he’s in the studios with "Haiti's Hottest Producer", Dimitri Lilavois (Vodou Productions). With his ability to intertwine Kreyol and English lyrics, Kiko will be an influential agent in boosting the French Caribbean Music Industry. In his own words, "MCs.... get reeeaadddyyy!" |