“Un Nòt Kankan” is a satirical Creole song from early 20th-century New Orleans, featured in the collection Mò Kouzin, Mò Kouzinn, released by singer-songwriter and producer Benoît LeBlanc.
Popularised by Jelly Roll Morton and later recorded by Kid Ory, the song humorously targets Madam Pédeaux, a character known for gossiping and causing drama. The lyrics, sung in Kouri-Vini (Louisiana Creole), mock her constant chatter and troublemaking, embodying the playful spirit of Creole musical traditions. The rhythmic flow and witty lyrics highlight the song’s cultural significance in early Creole music.
The album Mò Kouzin, Mò Kouzinn is the result of years of research into the musical heritage of Louisiana’s slaves and free people of colour. It revives 27 pre-jazz songs that blend Afro-Caribbean rhythms, field hollers, and Creole laments, tracing their influence on the development of jazz and American music. These historical songs reflect a connection to the broader musical traditions of Haiti, Martinique, and Guadeloupe, while also highlighting the survival of the Creole language, Kouri-Vini, in Louisiana.
LeBlanc, a descendant of Acadian heritage, brought together musicians like Duane Larson on flute and clarinet, Jordan Officer on banjo and violin, and Daniel Bellegarde on percussion. The collection recreates the authentic sounds of 19th- and early 20th-century Louisiana. Singers Sara Rénélik and Pascale LeBlanc, both of Haitian origin, add their voices to bring these forgotten songs to life, highlighting the Afro-Caribbean rhythms and Creole traditions that shaped early American music.
You can listen to and purchase the album on Bandcamp. For more information about the project, its creator, and musicians participating visit the Mo Kouzin website