Fortune Lenord, aka Azor, lead singer of the group Racine Mapou de Azor

In this interview, Azor, lead singer of the group, Racine Mapou de Azor spoke freely about his beliefs and his freedom of religion. Why did Racine de Mapou Azor receive a gold Medallion in Japan? What is the meaning behind the name Racine de Mapou Azor? What does Azor foresee in the future of Racine? Find it all out in this exclusive interview.

Hi Mapou, How is your tour thus far?
AZOR – It is a great pleasure for me to conduct this interview with you. I tilt my hat down to you and I would also like to say hello to all of the fans of Racine de Mapou Azor. I am delighted to have finally found the opportunity to greet my fans in New York.

How was Racine de Mapou Azor’s first trip to New York?
AZOR – Our tour is a great success and we had a tight schedule the entire week. We were in Boston on Sunday; Monday and Tuesday we played in Brasserie Creole; Wednesday through today we are playing here at Le Prive  Night Club, and Friday we will bid farewell with Phantoms Band. We will afterward fly to Miami for the last performance of this tour. The outcome is really great and overwhelming. I thank Geronimo for his great efforts, and also my fans who welcomed me with open arms. The love and admiration they have shown me will make me strive to bring them “more goodies” in my bag next year.

You emphasize the love of your fans, do you work only to satisfy the existing fans, or are you targeting new fans?
AZOR – I am working to please my existing fans and at the same time targeting new ones.

Do you think this tour has increased your popularity?
AZOR – Yes, definitely. Look at the outcome on a rainy Thursday night; I did not think so many people would have come. Some people who are here tonight have been with us all week. We were originally scheduled to perform on November 2, 2000, we ran into some unfortunate difficulties with the American Embassy, and I did not know what to expect from the fans for the canceled event. I want to thank them also for understanding our situation, and for supporting us throughout the week.

What is the meaning behind the name Racine de Mapou Azor?
AZOR – Racine is the rhythm of our culture, and Mapou is the strongest roots of all roots. For example, in Leogane, they often say if you don’t have the roots of Mapou, don’t frequent the area. Racine de Mapou Azor governs all of our ancestors’ roots.

So in another word, Mapou is the leader of the Racine?
AZOR – Yes Racine de Mapou Azor is the leader of Racine.

What are your dreams for the group Racine de Mapou Azor?
AZOR – One of my dreams has come true because we recently received a Golden Medallion in Japan for the album “Samba Move”. I am extremely proud to have received such an honor. We have thus far visited Japan, Chili, Canada, Miami, just to name a few, so to answer your question more directly my dreams are coming true with our accomplishments.

Give us some more insight on the award you received in Japan?
AZOR – Racine de Mapou Azor received a Golden Medallion in Japan for our artistic value. Among the attendees at this award show varied from many countries such as Honduras, Japan, and many artists such as Harold Faustin and many other Racine groups from Canada.

How do you feel about the success of Racine de Mapou Azor? Did you predict such success?
AZOR – I had foreseen such success for Racine de Mapou Azor because I know that we were giving the fans something they longed for and something they needed. Our success brings joy to my heart because I now see that we are coming to terms and accepting our heritage and we are cherishing our culture the same way as other nations have.

What is the difference between Racine de Mapou Azor and other Racine group, for instance, Boukan Guinen and Kanpech?
AZOR – Mapou is different than Boukan Guinen, Chandel, and the others because my songs and my performance are coming from my soul and the inspiration from my ancestors. The other Racine bands are another version of Compas. As you can see, we don’t use any musical instruments, because the spirits must hear the calling through the beat of the congas.

Do you think the popularity of the Racine rhythm will decrease or increase in the upcoming years? Do you think that our youth are adapting more to other nationalities?
AZOR – Racine de Mapou Azor will keep the rhythm of Racine going, and it will increase. Kanpech, Koudjay and others have spent up to 6 months without a performance; we are the only Racine band who performs every week, either it is to Jacmel, Jeremie etc. Receiving the Golden Medallion in Japan proved the growth of Racine, and we can only expect more growth and success.

What is the next step for Racine de Mapou Azor?
AZOR – Each year we come out with a good solid song, such as “Voisin” (humming) “Voisin an di’m se vagabond, pou’m al pouse bouret”, which was a hit. We than sequel it with the song “Sanmba” (huming) “Samnba ou di ou sanmba ou poko sanmba), and in 1998 we released “Reglemen” which was also a hit, and our next productions will even be deeper and better than the previous ones that I mentioned. Any songs that I introduce to the public must make me shed tears while I am writing it if it does not then I will not release it. Each of my songs is an antidote. A fan might be going through some turmoil while listening to my song they will find the cure and the answer to their sorrows. What is next for Racine Mapou de Azor you asked? Is to continue on being what we are now, the leaders or Racine and to keep providing our help to those who are in need and help them get in touch with their roots and ancestors.

Any last words for your fans?
AZOR – Hope for my health, so that I can continue working for you. I thank all of you who supported me and helped made this tour a great event. Geronimo and the others I thank you.