As far back as he can remember, compas music was always present. From a very young age, he was around Fritz “Fito” Boucan, his mother’s first cousin and a close friend of Nemours Jean-Baptiste. In his home, compas was a central topic of discussion. It echoed through the house. It had a place of honor.

Drawn to music, Eddy Renaud recalls climbing walls to sneak a peek at the rehearsals of “Les Chèlbè,” a popular band from Canapé-Vert. However, at first, his family environment didn’t allow him to nurture that passion. “My sister was taking piano lessons, but unfortunately, I couldn’t join her. One day, after attending one of her classes, I played the piece by ear. Madame Duroseau turned around to see who had just played the piece, since my sister hadn’t yet learned it. She asked how I had managed to play it, because she herself needed a sheet to perform it — it would’ve been impossible for her without it.”