On Nu Look’s side, Arly Larivière and Gazzman Couleur led the conversation, while Djakout’s vocal leader Roro, along with Pouchon and Shabba, represented their group. Although tensions were high, no physical altercations occurred. However, it was clear that both sides were adamant about their position.
Arly insisted that Nu Look, fresh off the release of their new album, deserved to close the show. According to him, the band’s momentum gave them the rightful place as headliners for the evening. Gazzman, sensing the argument was going nowhere, left the conversation after stating that if it came down to it, Nu Look would play first, defusing the situation from his side.
But Roro, ever the fierce defender of Djakout’s reputation, wasn’t backing down. Known for declaring Djakout as the “showstopper” at festivals, Roro asserted that Djakout has long held the crown as the top band in the Haitian Music Industry (HMI) and therefore should close any event until proven otherwise. Sources noted that while Shabba and Ti Regi were present, they mostly stayed quiet, leaving Roro to lead the charge.
The standoff delayed the start of the concert, with Nu Look finally taking the stage around 1:30 AM. However, things took a turn later in the night when a fight reportedly broke out among the crowd. Police were called to the venue, and it’s been rumored that only Nu Look managed to perform before authorities shut the event down.
This incident marks a fiery beginning to 2005 for two of the biggest names in Haitian music. With Djakout Mizik still riding high as the perceived kings of live performances and Nu Look coming in strong with new material, it’s clear that the rivalry between these two bands is far from cooling down. Fans and industry insiders will no doubt be keeping a close eye on both groups as the year unfolds.
