Wesli wins the Félix for World Music Album of the Year with "Makaya"

Montreal-based artist of Haitian origin Wesly Louissaint, known as Wesli, was honored at the first ADISQ gala on November 4. His album titled "Makaya" won the award for Album of the Year in the "Global Music" category. The ceremony took place at MTELUS, in Montreal.

This is the second time the singer has received a Félix trophy, following his first success in 2019 for the album "Rapadou Kreyòl". NAGO reported on November 7, 2026, that the artist had just received this new distinction. In total, Wesli has accumulated six nominations during his career within this Quebec institution.

A tribute to roots and resistance

Released in November 2025, "Makaya" is the seventh opus from the singer-songwriter. The work consists of 24 tracks where rara, traditional drums, and songs in Creole intermingle with styles such as afrobeat, reggae, and electronic music. The album's name refers to a mountain range in southern Haiti.

According to comments relayed by Tolalito Music, the artist sees this project as a way to "revive the memory of Haiti and give hope to a country that is struggling to recover from so many disasters." Several collaborators participated in this record, notably Tamara Suffren and BIC Tizon Dife.

Recognition from the Haitian community

For the musician, this award goes beyond his personal success and highlights the cultural contribution of immigrants to Quebec. "It shows the contribution of the Haitian community to Francophone culture in Quebec. We have been here for a long time, we create, we share, and we enrich this host land that has also become our home," he declared.

Wesli also emphasized the importance of this achievement in his adopted society by stating that "being recognized at home, where we were welcomed as immigrants, means a lot."

A career marked by distinctions

Since launching his solo career in 2009, Wesli has received numerous honors. In addition to his two Félix awards, he was named Radio-Canada Revelation and won a JUNO award as well as a prize at the Haitian Music Awards in 2024. His work has also been acclaimed in France with the Coup de cœur award from the Académie Charles-Cros.