Across the Caribbean, fans are mourning singer Mikaben’s death 🕊 at just 41-years-old.
He died on October 18, after collapsing on stage immediately following his set at CaRiMi’s 20th anniversary reunion concert in Paris, France. The show was also livestreamed and stunned fans who tuned in just as much as those who witnessed the tragedy in person.
His official cause of death remains unknown at this time. According to The Guardian, he may have suffered a heart attack or cardiac arrest.
Haiti’s Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, confirmed the news of Mikaben’s passing on Twitter. “I am devastated by the news of the sudden death of the young and very talented artist Michael Benjamin ‘Mikaben’. It is a great reference of Haitian music which has just passed away,” he tweeted in French. “The country and the Haitian youth have lost a beautiful soul. I extend my condolences to his family, friends, and the music community as a whole.”
Mikaben is survived by his wife,Vanessa Benjamin, and two children — son Gabriel Benjamin and daughter Leïa Benjamin, as well as a third child on the way.