Haitian Artist Afriken and Dominican Bulin 47 Draw Reaction Over 'Leo Leo' Remix
An opinion column in El Día says the cross-border collaboration provoked ultranationalist backlash while highlighting a long history of Haitian-Dominican musical exchange.
A musical collaboration between Haitian urban artist Afriken and Dominican performer Bulin 47 on the remix of 'Leo Leo' has drawn a strong reaction from certain ultranationalist sectors in the Dominican Republic, according to a column by Edwin Paraison published in El Día on August 15, 2026. Those critics argued the collaboration was ill-timed given tensions between the two countries, and Bulin 47 reportedly faced accusations of national betrayal, including from prominent influencers, but chose to release the track anyway. Paraison writes that Afriken was received warmly from the border to Santo Domingo, with children, adults and even Dominican soldiers seen singing 'Leo, Leo, Leo.' The piece frames the reaction against a longer record of Haitian-Dominican musical exchange. It cites Los Diplomáticos de Haití, formed in Santo Domingo's San Carlos sector in 1974; Johnny Ventura's 1975 'Bobiné'; Wilfrido Vargas's 1984 'El Jardinero'; the careers of Michel Batista and Félix Cumbé; Bonny Cepeda's 1986 'Asesina,' adapted from DP Express; and Juan Luis Guerra's 1992 'Mal de amor,' credited to Haitian konpa creator Nemours Jean-Baptiste. This account is drawn from a single opinion column and reflects the author's perspective.