Serge Lebrasse war born on 25 June 1930. For over 50 years, Serge has had people dancing to his folklore melodies before retiring at the age of 86. Since the last five years, the singer of ‘Moris mo Pays’ has chosen to step away from the stage to spend more time with his family.
Back in the day Serge Lebrasse worked as a teacher in several schools including St Enfant Jesus, Père Laval and Glen-Park schools. This stage of his life corresponded to the period when his love for singing was beginning to take hold. He was 29 years old and making sega music was not well perceived. However, he felt it was right for him and got inspired to write his first piece, Madame Eugene.
Serge wrote Madame Eugene in one shot. He had just bought his first car, a black Austin for Rs 500 and he had just baptized his eldest daughter, Sonia. Sonia has been his lucky charm and following her birth, the singer’s career started off. Philippe Ohsan, conductor of the Police Band brought Serge Lebrasse to the general public. Serge Lebrasse was at the time the official singer of the police orchestra, performing popular songs, notably by Paul Anka. Philippe Ohsan heard him singing “Madame Ezen” and decided to make Serge sing on stage in front of a bigger audience.
Serge Lebrasse created a group which were not well seen and hence they took the name of ‘Kanasucs’, a nod to the motherland. His band would be seen performing in hotels. While some described him as “the king of the Mauritian sega”, he has been under the spotlight, has never allowed his music to dim, whether in Mauritius, the Seychelles, Reunion or Canada. Like his colleagues whom he often quotes – Roger Austin, Françis Solomon, Ti Frer, friends who, like him, have never ceased to make the crowds dance to the rhythms of the sega.
Crowned with numerous distinctions, namely, Honorary Citizen of the town of Rose-Hill and Member of the British Empire in 1976, amongst others – Serge Lebrasse was also greeted by Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Margareth. This legend has made Mauritius proud across the globe, a true free spirit of Mauritianism.
