It was in this context that Lionel Benjamin spoke this Thursday, August 20, on Radio Magik9, during the morning program Panel Magik, where he spoke at length about what, in his view, distinguishes Tabou Combo from other Haitian musical groups. “Tabou Combo is an orchestra that I like very much because it is a very disciplined orchestra. That is what brought it to where it is today,” he said. He added that the group’s members are not afraid of criticism and remain faithful to their conception of konpa: “These gentlemen are not afraid of criticism. They like to play konpa the way konpa should be played.”

Lionel Benjamin also discussed his personal ties with the musicians of the group founded in 1968. “I get along well with all these men,” he said, before revealing a family detail little known to the public. “One thing people do not know is that I have a good cousin named Michelot Benjamin; he is one of Tabou Combo’s first singers,” he said.