Biography

Medhy Custos: the soul of Guadeloupean zouk love

In 2007, as the title “Elles demandent” climbed to third place in French charts and made its way across European airwaves, Medhy Custos finally set foot in mainland France — after twelve years of notoriety in the Antilles. This singer, from a popular Parisian neighborhood and raised in Pointe-à-Pitre, became one of the ambassadors of zouk love: a genre he doesn’t just play, he lives. Behind his soft voice and soul-R&B arrangements, an entire Caribbean youth is singing.

In brief


Full name	Medhy Custos
Birth	July 4, 1973, Paris (XIVth arrondissement), France
Origin	Guadeloupe
Field	Zouk, R&B, Caribbean soul
Signature works	“Elles demandent”, “Franc jeu”, “Pas de glace” (duo), Serial Lover
Awards	SACEM Prize 2007, Afro-Caribbean Arts Trophies 2006, Kundé d’Or Burkina Faso 2006

Key dates

Year	Event
1973	Birth in Paris, childhood in Guadeloupe
1986	Discovery of singing and gwoka at the MJC in Pointe-à-Pitre, at age thirteen
1996 – 1998	Debut in the group Kwebee, two maxi-singles recorded
2000	The group shares the stage with Jean-Jacques Goldman in Pointe-à-Pitre, opens for Malavoi and Jacques Higelin
2002	The album Allianstars vol.1, featuring hits “À jamais” and “Pé pa oubliéw”, wins the SACEM Prize for Best Male Interpreter in 2003
2004	First solo album Serial Lover, over 20,000 copies sold in the Antilles
2006	Duo “Pas de glace” with Jane Fostin; two Afro-Caribbean Arts Trophies; signing with UP Music/Warner France
2007	Eponymous album in mainland France; “Elles demandent” #1 in the Antilles, 3rd in hexagonal charts
2009	Ouvrir mes ailes, first album integrating rap collaborations with Tiwony, Lord Kossity and AP of 113
2014	Return with the album ADN and tracks “Lova girl”, “Juste une heure”

From Pointe-à-Pitre to Paris: the formation of a Caribbean musician

Medhy Custos grew up between the XIIIth arrondissement of Paris and the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre, where he discovered singing and gwoka — traditional percussive music from Guadeloupe — at age thirteen in the Maison pour tous. On stage and in the studio, Medhy Custos has always had a natural talent that allows him to adapt to all situations. At fourteen, his mother gave him a piano. Like many young people of his generation, he absorbed French hip-hop and rap. His first public appearances took place in the cafés of Pointe-à-Pitre around 1989.

In 1996, he formed the group Kwebee with friends, including future composer Jimmy Devarieux. The a cappella quintet performed adaptations of popular French and American songs, with a zouk-hip-hop touch. Kwebee became known throughout the Caribbean and secured support from major artists on the island. Medhy Custos recalls frequenting the biggest stages of the gwoka festival, from which he drew a formation for stage performances.

Serial Lover: Antillean explosion then hexagonal consecration

After several collaborations as a songwriter on various projects, Medhy Custos truly launched his solo career with Serial Lover, released in 2004. On this album, the tracks “Franc jeu”, “Pour te retenir” and “Comme si” achieved massive success in the Antilles, where the album peaked at over 20,000 copies sold. The Antillean public fell under the charm of this sensual zouk, mixed with R&B and soul chords. Building on this success, he embarked on a series of concerts, notably two sold-out evenings in the largest hall in Guadeloupe.

In January 2007, his eponymous album Medhy Custos marked his true debut in mainland France, on the UP Music label (subsidiary of Warner France). “Elles demandent”, released as a single, made an impact: the track rose to third place in French charts and appeared on the Billboard European Hot 100. The album sold over 60,000 copies. “We were all in the studio, aware that we were making a zouk album,” he told RFI Musique, “simply. With different means to reach the desired quality.”

Ouvrir mes ailes and ADN: between artistic innovations and production

From 2009, Medhy Custos broadened his horizon. Ouvrir mes ailes introduced more innovative sounds, blending zouk and rap with notable collaborations: Tiwony, Lord Kossity or AP from the group 113. He also produced young Guadeloupean, Martinican and Guyanese talents (Erick Négrit, Cactus cho, Bruno Bias) while writing for Jane Fostin and Jocelyne Labylle. In 2014, the album ADN marked his return with tracks “Lova girl”, “Juste une heure” and “Me luv yuh”. Between 2013 and 2016, he multiplied duets — with Monica Pereira (“Esa noche”), Fdy Phénomèn, T-Micky and Erik Négrit — confirming his status as a bridge between zouk generations.

Major works

Work	Year	Why it’s essential
Serial Lover	2004	First solo album; sold over 20,000 copies in the Antilles, laid the foundations of Medhy’s zouk soul
“Elles demandent”	2006	Signature track; #1 in the Antilles, 3rd in French charts, Billboard European Hot 100
Medhy Custos (album)	2007	Breakthrough in mainland France; over 60,000 copies sold, consecrates the artist as an ambassador of zouk love
ADN	2014	Modern return with varied collaborations, demonstrates the evolution of an artist who doesn’t let himself be confined

Heritage and influence

Medhy Custos remains a key figure in Guadeloupean music from the early 2000s. His tracks “Mes divas”, “Elles demandent” and “Franc jeu” marked an entire generation. Beyond his solo career, he trained hundreds of young musicians in the workshops of the MJC in Pointe-à-Pitre, and continues to serve as a bridge between the old guard of zouk — Kassav, Jocelyne Labylle — and the new Caribbean wave. His stint at UP Music/Warner France also opened doors for Creole music on the hexagonal market.