LKing Kino’s musical trajectory is above all marked by controversies and intermittent breaks. Raised in Port-au-Prince, under the control of his grandmother Mrs. Clébert, the teenager Pierre Raymond, then found himself in King’s County, at the beginning of the 1980s. Where he evolved in the atmosphere nun of his mother who is a reverend next to Pastor Luders, in charge of a Methodist church located at the corner of Nostrand and Clarendon avenues in Brooklyn. It was there that he had the good fortune to be guided musically by the monitor and multi-instrumentalist of the church Rousseau Telfort, who died during the month of January 2021. An opportunity that will allow him to highlight his multiple talents of: drummer, pianist, guitarist, bassist and vocalist.
Meanwhile, Pierre Raymond attends South Shore High. One of the most select High School in Brooklyn, distinct from junk high schools like: Erasmus, Tilden, Wingate and others. Although his mother took a dim view that he was more interested in a career as a background music artist, rather than being a gospel musician . Which will lead to a certain family breakdown. Allowing him to reorient himself at the famous mansion of East 26 in Brooklyn, as a resident of the brothers James and Pierre “ captain jean ” Provilus where he continues to strengthen his musical skills. It is the time marking the end of disco , propelling the funk, the dance hall , the break dancing , the popetc. At this stage, he turns into a groupie of the “Tabou Combo”, the orchestra which gives him ideas and which he simmers to animate the avant-garde in the manner of Shoubou his idol. Determined to make a name for himself in show business, he was ready for anything.
By fitting into all the political and cultural paths of the diaspora, as an artist, activist or opportunist. Imposing even as a dj; animating the small clubs of the city. Until finding a place within the team of the Sunday show: Moment Créole, as a disc jockey in tandem with the late Stanley Barbot. This gave him the nickname of ” Sweet Pier ” by Fritz Martial, the director of this weekly program. At the same time, he travels through obscure groups including the “Stone band” with these leaders: Atyaba, Gady and also Lémy, Pègigit, Cameau, Tibass etc. A transitional phase which propels him with the “Moon Foo Band”, avant-garde formation with the advent of rap / hip-hop,with Mireille Laurent, Edison and others in another ephemeral collaboration. It is the time of his metamorphosis into a mohawk, this brand of hair that has earned him the name “ the brother from another planet ” (the brother from another galaxy), by more than one.
THE BLOODTHIRSTY COUP WHICH ENSUES, WILL COMPLETELY ENLARGE HIS IMAGE AS A COMMITTED ARTIST
Subsequently, he had to turn back to rally the in-house training “Partners”. Which starts to think outside the box; by illustrating himself as a multi-instrumentalist. And working to acquire a vocal style of baroque appearance and devoid of benchmarks. While this group begins to rush out of the standstill. He decides to abandon it, with in possession the tube that would take him out of anonymity: ” Sa fè mal ”. To beat the recall of the group “Kajou” which is a spontaneous initiative. Although at this stage his notoriety as a patented showman, a flamboyant artist begins to take hold. All surrounded by a picturesque pitch, recognizable in a thousand places; as well as a big hangover fame. But, unable to find takers among the headliners, he resigned himself to reintegrating the “Partners”. This time to the chagrin of maestro James Provilus who no longer allowed him to come and impose his diktats.
Nevertheless, Kino had to convince the bulk of the gang in the concretion of the group “Phantoms”. Which was only a formality. Since their first album: ” Louvri baryè ” was already engraved under the label ” Partners ”. This will allow it to reposition itself, renaming itself King Kino. And their second more significant: ” Fò w pa bouje ” came out in full delirium ” Lavalassien ”. However, the bloodthirsty coup d’etat that ensues will completely enlarge his image as a committed artist. Especially with the hit: ” Ayiti an kòbòy ”, reminiscences of the atrocities of Uncle Macoutes, hoods (precursors of current kidnappers) and, sadistic soldiers of Duvalier father and son. While the attachés and the psychopathic soldiers of Raoul Cédras and Michel ” sweet micky ” François (disciple of dad and baby doc and great local criminal since Charles Oscar Etienne, who will however be surpassed by Guy Philippe). As well as the ninjas of Bigio and Michel ” sweet micky ” Martelly, who took pleasure in delivering the bodies of the mutilated to the hungry pigs of ” Titanyen and Cité Soleil.
It is therefore in this context that King Kino reached the hearts of a multitude. Of all those who longed for change, after thirty years of shady dictatorships. And who had just seen their dream of democracy assassinated by a small group of stateless people in the pay of the international. It is the halo which the King and the “Phantoms” have donned during the three years which have seen the Cedras, Michel François, Michel Martelly, Toto Constant, Chambelain and other criminals engage in executioners of the dirty work of the imperial consortium. . However, from exile, a bait will be extended to King Kino & Co. Indeed, Sweet Micky who was banned from traveling to the US for all the misdeeds due to a delinquent of his kind, is nevertheless summoned to resume service under the form of a musical duel with the “Phantoms” at Madison Square Garden. A test that our “militant artist” could not avoid, despite the advice of the wise. And that would cause the first doubts in the minds of the fans. Despite opposition from the community, the King chose duplicity. And the still attentive and combative community boycotted the masquerade completely.
PROPELLING HIM AS THE MOST DOMINANT FIGURE OF THE HOUR OF THE LOCAL MUSIC HALL.
In the meantime, following a permanent struggle of the consequent militants, Aristide could finally return to the fold, after three years of sequestration. The opportunity for King Kino and the “Phantoms” to go and collect the fruits of their anti-coup position in the country. Where they are received in apotheosis and installed on a pedestal that will attract the hatred of their competitors. And, previously, it was the release of the double disc “Resurrection” , through which we suspected the persuasive hand of the laboratory, always on the lookout. In order to get his chestnuts out of the fire in the song: ” Reconciliation ”, which suggested to the victims and executioners to walk arm in arm, as if the past had not passed. In addition, when the NY Times, the Washington Liberals’ think tank, gave unprecedented media coverage of the Phantoms tour. As well as their cd; comparing it to the “Beatles” double album. We felt that there was eel under the rock.
In any case, it is a delirious public who received King Kino and his sequel to the country. Propelling him as the most dominant figure of the hour of the local music hall. Until being invited with fanfare by Aristide to Tabarre. Which gave him the approval to distribute Bill Clinton’s rotten Arkansas rice. It is the undivided glory for Kino who, stunned by such popularity begins to have political temptations. Back in his New York base, it seemed that music was no more than a springboard to achieve other goals. Meanwhile, it is Préval the false brother who is the undeserved winner of popular sacrifices. While Manno Charlemagne occupies the town hall of Port-au-Prince. These two thieves in fair, no doubt in cahoots with the laboratory, go so far as to go to recover the “ ninja ” Sweet Micky on the run in Florida, after his bloodthirsty excesses during the iniquitous reign of his acolytes Cédras and Michel François. Which gave Kino more political appetite.
Rresult! The business of the “Phantoms” is relegated to the background. And these actions will have a destabilizing effect on the group which begins to produce less, qualitatively. As for Kino, he is still unanimous among fans of the country. In particular with his rhythmic ballads such : jalouzi, sonje, don’t you know i love you, amour à la folie, say no more, a little bit longer etc. Proving that he still had inspiration left. Especially since his compositions will serve as parameters for a certain Arly Larivière, who will plagiarize and bite into it. He also puts on the package a solo work: ” My way ” , including the title ” C’est la vie ”under the signature of your servant. In the process, he eyeing the place of the renegade Manno Charlemagne at the town hall of Port-au-Prince. Encouraged in this direction by the subordinate circuits of Lavalas. In the exploration of this idea, he offers a great banquet within the framework of the luxurious Astoria Manor of Queens with as headliners: Guy Durosier, Joe Trouillot, Edner Guignard, Dernst Emile, Yannick Etienne and others.
A project that will attract the lightning of a left and right coalition, formed around the mayor and his acquaintances, on one side, and on the other of: Sweet Micky, Roro Nelson, Gonzague Day, Guy Philippe and others collected macoutes. Which will attack the chariot of the “Phantoms” during the carnival parade. Disoriented, the group returned to NY, with some members too happy to have been saved. However, drama, it’s Gonzague Day, son of a slaughterer and murderer in the blood, future developer and supplier of weapons and ammunition to the gangs of Grand Ravine, City of God and other Mafia enclaves. With the aim of transforming the whole country into lawless territory, under the reign of legal bandits. Sure of himself, he came to NY to do his mea-culpa and assure King Kino of his pacifism. For his part, Kino must rethink his strategies, by putting aside his dream at the town hall. This decision will bring it closer to Manno, which it says next year the task of supervising the carnival.
In the same vein, he must be satisfied with an amicable agreement with Sweet Micky Martelly in Pétion-Ville, base of upstarts in search of social recognition to seal reconciliation. From this episode I could not help but allude to this song by Gérard Lenorman: ” The reconciliation of Bob Dylan and Rockefeller ” shrouded in dialogue: Rockefeller: ”… yet it is the first time, I didn’t see you like that / you are not a musician ! ”, Dylan: ‘ ‘ And you, you are not a dog … ”.However, not naive, he was convinced of the role of patented agent of Martelly with the laboratory. All the more reason for him to get involved in certain compromises. Which would completely erode its base. ” lavalassienne ”. However, he went to comfort his position with President Préval. Which he managed to convince to sponsor his project for the elevation of a bust of Nemours Jean Baptiste at the Champ de Mars. An initiative that could not be carried out.
EVERYBODY FUCKED HER ASS
In the meantime, its ancestry around the social body has grown. Because, police officers, chief of police, politicians, senators, directors, presenters, ministers, opponents, oligarchs, ordinary people, carried away by his touch of populism. Everyone was fucking her ass. Maintaining the misconception that he had Aristide’s ear. Which was false, since the man of December 16 had taken his distance, just the time of a single meeting. Equally astute, Kino still managed to sneak past the camarilla of the new Lavalas government, then cornered by threats of sanctions and isolation by the racist imperial consortium. Very determined that the celebration of 2004 is not a matter of national unity and, moreover, universal. Promising to lobby in order to attract potential investors.
On the strength of these promises, Kino was also responsible for leading President Aristide’s 2001 inauguration day. But in terms of achievements, he could only get out of his sleeves OJ Simpson’s lawyer, Johnny Cochran; then in charge of the case of Abner Louima, victim of police abuse. And could only assemble a team of musicians such: Cubano, Shoubou, Douby, Léon Dimanche, Farah Juste, Michael Ange Bazile and others. All that was missing was Sweet Micky to complete this burlesque decor. In fact, the government weakened itself from the first days. By ignoring his true friends, those who had sincerely fought for the return to democracy; at the cost of their lives, like: the Honorable Randall Robinson and Katherine Dunham who had gone on hunger strike for this purpose. Along with the Venerable Jessie Jackson, the illustrious Harry Belafonte (who does not remember his cries of rage against George Bush Sr., during the famous demonstration in Central Park), Julia Roberts, Maxine Waters, Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover, Mayor David Dinkins, Ossie Davis , Ruby Dee and others. These quasi-media personalities who would have made the weight in terms of lobbying. None of them were invited.
To the point where, at one point, the opposition felt at ease to install its own government in the person of the infamous Gérard Gourgue. Until making a foray into the national palace under the command of Guy Philipe with a view to assassinating Aristide. And subsequently to push Kino into his camp. From there, the ambiguities are no longer appropriate, hope is dead. Since it is at his home in Belvil on the Route des Frères in Pétion Ville that the first meetings of the “Grenn nan bouda” movement are organized in full view of the whole population. On the defrocked media, he even constituted himself an accuser of Lavalas’ responsibility in the death of Jean Dominique. But, he is not fooled. Knowing that by crossing this line, he put himself in the crosshairs of the laboratory, which will not hesitate to “pass it to the infinitive” to accuse the government. Hence his decision to find his home in NY.
By coming to take shelter and at the same time recover his feelings as a musician, lost in the haze of market politics. With in addition partners too happy to be able to remake music with their star mascot. As for the community in general, he is lost. The neo-macoutes who accuse him of ungrateful and impostor. And the pro-lavalas who denounce him as a shameless traitor. He can no longer make the wall. Apart from the “Phantoms” which sank during his absence and with which he was able to release a new CD: “Fwèt Kach”which is nevertheless a work of redemption. But, unfortunately the disgusted fans had deserted the group. And to complicate matters, after an altercation at the Brasserie Créole de Queens with maestro Lémy Raymond, he decides to abandon the group to go and form the “Move Move”, which is only an emotional reaction. Since this training has never been able to take off.
The ” grenn nan bouda ” reign began with ” Gwo Gera ” Latortue, Jeb Bush’s little pawn to come and dismantle the local economy, after Aristide’s kidnapping. Subsequently, it is the second intrusion of René Préval, the Cain, with the support of the electorate of Aristide. Giving the King another opportunity to resurface. But “Tirené” was no longer interested. This time, not wanting anything to do near or far with everything that has a connotation of “Lavalas.” All proud to reconnect with his origins and vomiting macoutes. And to drive the point home in the national wound, it is “Sweet Micky” the idiot of the nation, the medicastre who is imposed on the country by Hillary Clinton; following the suspicious earthquake. During a night-time ceremony that would have made even the ” chanpwèl ” blush. At this crossroads, King Kino advised himself with his sphinx flair not to come to the country. Political calculation? Since, with the imposition of the leader of the legal bandits in this virtual palace, everyone saw the possibility of being chosen by the laboratory.
It is true that the motto of the “Tet Kale” regime was: “Enough with the educated people who had their opportunity. Now it’s up to us idiots to prove what we can’t do ”. No wonder we mentioned Shabba, Gonzague Day and other morons as likely successor to Micky. It is in this environment that Kino thought it was better to wait. In addition, he struggled to find an audience with the first black-skinned US president, the elitist Barack Obama. Which did his best not to appear with “sweet micky” the Haitian leader of the bandits. Persistent, the latter had to pay colossal amounts to a lobby which allowed him to have a photo shoot with the US president, who had to reluctantly accept. We must also mention the small sporadic performances of the “Phantoms”, which he had reinstated; including a last cd: ” Oksigèn ”which has gone unnoticed. Although at this intersection the artist full of promise, had left the best behind him musically. Then, it was the passage of the bizarre provisional president Jocelerme Privert in the diaspora. Whose Kino was called to chaperone and, who gave him carte blanche to return to the country.
DESIGNED FOR THE ” SAINTE ANISE ” AND ” RESTAVÈK ”, DEAR TO MAURICE SIXTO, WHO WILL BE THE CHOSEN ONE OF THE LABORATORY AND OF THE LOCAL OLIGARCHY.
Either way, everyone’s apprehension will prove to be plausible. When it is an alleged banana planter, straight out of illustrated books such as: ” Ti Malice in the land of letters ” , or ” Opa Oto Galo ”. Designed for the ” Sainte Anise ” and ” Restavèk ”, dear to Maurice Sixto, who will be the chosen one of the laboratory and of the local oligarchy. It is Jojo the skinny one, one of the characters of these manuals with Dada, Lili, etc. who will take home the most corrupt ruling class in the world, according to the Miami Herald. With, among other things, the goal of transforming the majority of musicians into palace policemen. Being himself a former broker of musical groups such as the “Legend” of Bel-Air. An offshoot that saw Kino and Micky make common cause to advocate reconciliation, which they also sang in public. Since then, radiant to be with his peers, King first created a program: “ Breakfast With Kino ”who saw the political fauna come and wallow for a cold meal. While nestling comfortably in the entourage of Jomo. Waiting for the next selection like a Gracia Delva and others, to perpetuate the deceptions. The King’s world is limitless. At the same time blackmailer, apostate, jumper, and acrobat with various strings.
