Beginning in the 1890s, Kandjo was a prolific composer of up to four songs per week. Nearly all of Kandjo's songs were written in Haitian Kreyòl (Creole). Over nearly five decades, he composed love songs, as well as satirical songs and songs of political and social commentary. He would travel throughout Haiti to perform. In
Port-au-Prince as well as throughout Haitian provinces, Kandjo "was in great demand as a singer before, during, and after the United States occupation of Haiti|[1915-1934 US] occupation in clubs, at private parties, in theaters, and eventually at outdoor rallies". Kandjo Kandjo, "like many urban, educated Haitians", had a mixed reaction to the
occupation of Haiti by the United States (1915-1934). Initially he believed that outside intervention was needed to address internecine Haitian strife, and Kandjo's songs of the early occupation period were "reflective and philosophical." However, over time, Kandjo became disillusioned by US abuses, such as the "
exploitive economic treaty and... harsh American tactics during the strike at the agronomy school and in other crises. Kandjo opposed these abuses, and became "remembered as an artist who opposed the occupation in its latter years. In his home city of Port-au-Prince and throughout the provinces, he was in great demand as a singer before, during, and after the occupation in clubs, at private parties, in theaters, and eventually at outdoor rallies." Kandjo wrote satirical songs and in other ways participated in the campaign to unseat
Louis Borno, president of Haiti from 1922 to 1930. In this struggle, "On may occasions the targets of Kandjo's barbs attempted to intimidate him, including one time in which he had to crawl over an embassy wall to obtain protection." Yet, as explained by Kandjo's daughter,
Emerante Morse, ==Works==