HMI Artists Share Their Favorite Holiday Songs

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Leopol Figaro

Author, poet out of Jacmel, Haiti. Leopol is an amazing new voice in Haitian and American poetry. His Debut book "The Colored Seasons" is available for purchase on Amazon.

Favorite Christmas song
I have quite a few, growing up I listened to my dad's classics, all his christmas songs from Tino Rossi to Bossa Combo, Coupe Cloue - I love them all. But my favorite was "Nwèl" by Bossa Combo. It's an amazing song. And i like Supa Denot's "Tonton Nwèl" song a lot. I mean a lot, I listen to it every Christmas. I also love listening to Nat King Cole's Christmas album. But my #1 Christmas song off all time is "Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis" by Tom Waits. I love everything about this song. Lyrically, it's pure beauty and poetry. He makes you feel the words with his deep voice. It's my favorite, because it's gorgeous, it's sublime, it's poetry, and I love poetry.

Favorite holiday memory
Opening gifts is something I still like about Christmas and spending time with family. I was raised in a single parent household, so one of my favorite memories is my dad taking me to see my mom for Christmas so I could spend some time with her, eat some good food and get more gifts. But now as a parent, my favorite thing about Christmas, is seeing my son's smile when he is opening his gifts.

Favorite holiday tradition
Exchanging gifts, watching Christmas movies, spending time with family and friends and reminiscing about Christmas nights in Jacmel.