We’ve known about Tiga for a while now. Having Bonga, one of Haiti’s best drummers, as a father you expect him to be talented. However Tiga has tackled music and made it his own. He is truly an artist, he does not only play Haitian roots music but every kind of Afro-rhythm. He’s mastered the drums, the Haitian Bamboo, the Australian didgeridoo, the Mbira, and he is the lead vocal of his band fittingly named Tchaka.

We got a chance to go see Tiga and his band Tchaka in action at a spot named L’Orange Bleu in Lower Manhattan. When we first walked in, the restaurant was packed with mostly diners. There were quite a few people grouped by the bar who were there mostly for the music. The band was playing a sort of reggae at first which turned into an Afrocentric vibe without being too geographically specific. It was a mix a reggae, Haitian roots and Rara, Southern and Western African sounds. Tiga, in front of the band, excitedly played the drums, sang and played the Mbira almost at the same time. His energy became quite addictive, soon enough tables were being pushed aside, and diners became dancers. Everyone was dancing, EVERYONE, which was a pretty entertaining sight for us. And YES! There was a Conga line, much to our dismay.

Seeing Tiga at work, passionately creating music and vibing with the crowd left us no doubt why at such a young age he’s worked with Haitian music greats such as Thurgot Theodat, his father Bonga, Emeline Michel, Buyu Ambroise and Jean-Paul Bourelly, as well as international entertainers like Grace Jones and John Legend. He’s a force to be reckoned with and definitely the future of Haitian roots music. Just watch him.

Check out his myspace profile for samples of his music.