Francis Mercier on stage in Dubai, on April 19, 2026, in front of an audience gathered around his Soley project. (Credit: Courtesy of the artist)
Some artists just come and go, while others return. And then there are those whose loyalty is expressed through a heartfelt gesture. Francis Mercier belongs to the latter category. Since the beginning of his career, the Haitian DJ has never broken his connection with Lebanon, a country that has played a major role in making his music known, and where he continues to perform regularly at Beirut's most popular parties.
A regular on Beirut's nightlife circuit, welcomed "like a messiah" each time he visits, he's never abandoned the local scene. "Yes, I’m coming to Lebanon!" he wrote again in the summer of 2024, refusing to give up on his audience despite the tensions.
On Sunday, April 19, in Dubai, he gave new proof of this commitment with Soley FC Dubai, a version of his Soley project. Held at Ballers Dubai, the event brought together music, sports, and the public for a charitable initiative.
The result: a $20,000 donation to the Lebanese Red Cross, in addition to contributions from attendees. The funds will go toward urgent medical care and rescue operations.
Without fanfare, the artist stands by a clear vision: using his visibility to support tangible causes. "Creating moments that bring people together and have an impact," he explains. Having already stopped in Miami and Saint Martin, his Soley project here takes on an even more committed dimension.
Lebanon remains central to this approach. In the wake of the event, Francis Mercier performed an open-air DJ set in Dubai, where he unveiled a new track, Inshallah — a deliberate nod.
A sun-drenched house, between roots and global movement
Musically, Mercier is part of an open and hybrid house scene, shaped by his Haitian roots as much as his travels between continents. His sets blend Afro-Caribbean rhythms, electronic textures, and Middle Eastern influences into an accessible yet sophisticated style.
This ability to foster dialogue between cultures — without flattening them — partly explains his international success, with more than 500 million streams and appearances at festivals such as Coachella, Tomorrowland, and Ushuaïa Ibiza.
A global trajectory, then, but one that continues to be written in step with Beirut.
