Dieufaite Charles is a musician, songwriter, and performer formerly known as Jahfaa. His music style is a mix of the rhythm of Haitian roots, R&B, reggae, and soul, which he calls “The African Soul.” He was born in Gonaives, Haiti, and currently lives and practices his art in Toronto.

Charles fell in love with Rasin music – otherwise known as Haitian roots music at a young age, inspired by singers like Bélo and Eddy François. He learned to play piano, flute, recorder, harmonica, and guitar, but found a particular connection to guitar. As he grew up, his family encouraged him to collaborate with local artists and he became a popular performer around the area.

Upon visiting his brother in Germany in 2004, Charles began to work on recording his music for the first time with his childhood best friend and producer, Eden Noel. As soon as he returned to Haiti, he released a single “Répondre-moi,” which was a hit in the country. In December 2009, he went to the US, performing in Florida and New York. Sadly, 2 weeks after he returned to Haiti, an earthquake struck and devastated the capital, killing over 250,000 people. Feeling fortunate to have survived the disaster, he moved to Canada within the year.

Charles became a TTC subway musician in 2012, and began to travel across the country, participating in fundraising events for the rebuilding of Haiti. He has performed at festivals such as Afrofest, Haitian Hertiage, Carassauga Fest, Haiti En Follie, and Francophonie en Fête. He worked on various cultural projects, including the documentary “Real Voodoo” which was nominated at the Montreal International Black Film Festival.

In 2018, he released his first album, Li Pap Craze, with his partner and producer Bryant Didier. In 2019, he released Bamba Eya on CBC Radio Canada, an acoustic album of traditional musical genres. On the album, his folk and Haitian roots mixed with elements of blues, afro-soul rhythms, and funk. His most recent release was a single entitled “I Love the Way” (2022). Charles is continuing his artistic path and is working on his next album which will express his love and gratitude for his home country with 13 tracks in Creole, French, and English.