Author: Opastaff
The Dominican Republic is the only oppressed country that celebrates its “independence” from another oppressed, colonized country, Haiti. For generations, the fear-mongering, racist Dominican ruling class has deliberately manipulated the history of the two countries, particularly the period between 1822 and 1844, in order to perpetuate el anti-Haitianismo (anti-Haitian racism). The truth is that Haitians have never been responsible for the inequality and the dismal socio-economic conditions that exist in the Dominican Republic. Imperialism and a handful of elite families —the Vicinis, Bonettis, Barcelós, and Brugals, among others— who drape themselves in the Dominican flag and engage in a shamefaced, rhetorical admiration…
Rutshelle, whose love life has been put on public display for over a year now starting with her break up with Katalog to her most recent relationship with Roody. However it seems as if cupid has found her a perfect match in Stephane Vincent. The two recently started dating and although Rutshelle is a hopeless romantic; always trusting too fast but we feel good about this one. First he’s a professional therefore he’s not going to be smooching off of her, second, reading her face in photos this time around with him, you can tell she’s not wearing the pants…
In the throes of Haiti’s most severe political crisis since the 2004 coup, outgoing President Michel Martelly found himself at the epicenter of mass protests demanding his resignation. Last week, amidst this turmoil, Martelly returned to his musical roots, releasing a provocative new song. Before his political tenure, Martelly was better known as “Sweet Micky,” a pop star notorious for his ability to rile up a crowd with risqué performances and bold pronouncements. Sweet Micky was celebrated for his audacious showmanship, often blending the riotous spirit of Haitian Mardi Gras, or ‘kanaval,’ with rock and rap’s rebel ethos, which included…
T-Vice would first like to thank the National Carnival Committee which reiterated its invitation to the team to participate in the 2016 Carnival. The group has worked tirelessly for a month to create a carnival song which is perhaps one of its very best. The group flew into Haiti in preparation for the three days and eagerly rehearsed in order to satisfy its hardcore fans. However, given the economic and political situation of the country, we see ourselves unable to participate in the parade this year. The time is, in our opinion, not suitable given the uncertainty that prevails in…
Due to the climate of palpable uncertainty currently hanging over Port-au-Prince, in addition to the impossible task of reaching an agreement in time with the Carnival committee, the Djakout #1 group regrets to inform that it will not participate in the carnival festivities this year. We believe it would be irresponsible if we did not take into account the participants who follow us religiously throughout the parade route. Our decision was not easy to make, because as musicians we are obliged to please our fans, but as human beings we are obliged to act in a way that does not…
Haiti had been without a president for a week when on Sunday a collection of politicians and business leaders chose an interim leader to fill the void. The appointment stalled a deepening political crisis in the nation of 10 million — at least for now. Not that presidents have always been so great for Haiti. There have been 45 leaders since the country achieved independence from France in 1804, and for the most part they have pillaged and plundered, ruled as despots, stifled opposition, violated human rights and operated with impunity. “They don’t really want to work for the Haitian…
Haiti’s outgoing president has released a brash pop song jeering at his critics and aiming sexually suggestive lyrics at his main target, an award-winning female journalist. In an unusual move by a sitting leader, President Michel Martelly released during what is likely his last week in office a track called c— Haitian Creole for “Give Them the Banana.” The song is credited to Sweet Micky, the stage name he used as a pop star before being elected. Martelly and backing vocalists repeatedly sing suggestive lyrics while referring to bananas and well-known radio reporter and human rights advocate Liliane Pierre-Paul. The…
Michael’s Bio: Michael Brun spent his childhood on the sun-drenched Caribbean island of Haiti. Born to a Haitian father and Guyanese mother who loved music, Brun’s influences stretched from the percussion-heavy Rara and Afro-groove music of his native Haiti, to disco and synth pop. He played guitar and piano from a young age, and took up DJing and EDM production as a hobby at 16 after winning a full scholarship to attend military school in the US, then going on to study Pre-Med at Davidson College. After six years of hard work and experimentation, 22-year-old Michael Brun has become one…
Listen to the top selected Haiti Kanaval 2016 meringues right here. More added each day as the come out.
It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from the singer Mirline Menard also known as Mei Mei and most recently, Meilan. Meilan was a singer and dancer in the band Hangout back in 2006 alongside Pipo Stanis currently of KLASS. Meilan is planning on making a comeback in the industry and in this interview she shares with us some of what she has planned for us. Meilan is under Shakaitutu Management Team for Booking. Most of us in the Haitian Music Industry know you from the band HangOut however there are talks that you were supposed to be a…