It's almost past midnight at a Father's Day house party in Springfield, and the energy inside the glowing house feels low-key. Guests fill their plates with classic Haitian dishes (griot, fried goat, plantains, and macaroni au gratin) while chatting quietly and swaying in their seats.
Then Frederic Nicolas Freda, better known as DJ X-Load, drops a Rara track, and everything changes.
"The moment I play it, everybody's screaming, everybody's happy, everybody's dancing," said X-Load. "When I play, if there were American people or any other nation, the moment they hear that music, they actually see the reaction of Haitians going hard on it. Everybody gets infected by this groove."
For five years, X-Load has been one of Springfield's go-to DJs. He said he was likely the first Haitian one in the city when he arrived. His sets span reggaeton to hip-hop, but nothing moves a mostly Haitian crowd like the one he has tonight, quite like kompa, Haiti's signature dance music.
"Some people could have a very bad day at work, you know, they are struggling," he said. "Partying a little bit, I don't think it hurts. Listening to some good music, enjoying the moment—it's a healing process."
His girlfriend, Tiffany Glee Nelson, is a Brazilian immigrant who has lived in Springfield for 15 years. She said she has watched X-Load work magic on even the quietest rooms.
"He can always get a crowd going," Nelson said. "I've had moments where I'm like, 'Nobody's gonna dance,' but at some point, he finds a way to get everybody out."
For Nelson, the changes in Springfield since Haitian immigrants began arriving in large numbers have been noticeable.
"Since we've had so many immigrants come in, our economy has boomed. You see people walking, just people are out and about. I feel much more at home with Haitians in Springfield," she said.
"I really believe that music can connect people to other cultures. Music is love, music can heal the world."DJ X-Load
Over the past year, Haitian immigrants in Ohio have faced serious challenges, from bomb threats to false rumors that have created fear and division.
"It [the parties] provides a moment where they can just release, forget about it, and find their joy," Nelson said.
X-Load's regular performances across Springfield, Columbus, and Indianapolis have given him a diverse fanbase, including people from other Caribbean countries, Latin America, Africa, and the United States.
"Especially with all the things that are going on about how they treat Haitians, they really think Haitians are bad," X-Load said. "But sometimes when you get to know them, you will see how much they are kind people. One way to connect is through parties, you see how they are having fun."
DJ X-Load's mixes are available on YouTube, and he frequently perform at parties throughout the region.
This story was produced at the Eichelberger Center for Community Voices at WYSO. Culture Couch is supported by the Ohio Arts Council.
