Author: Opastaff
As the Haitian music industry celebrates the 50th anniversary of Konpa, key figures in the scene have shared their insights and concerns about the current state and future of this culturally significant genre. Their reflections highlight both pride in their musical heritage and a unanimous call for substantial changes within the industry. Ritchie from Zenglen: “Konpa is the only thing we have to offer, but the industry needs a lot of fixing,” states Ritchie, emphasizing the urgent need for development. He notes that not much has changed in the last decade and stresses the necessity for a transformation in how…
In an incident that highlights the pressures and personal conflicts that can simmer beneath the surface of a band’s glamorous facade, Cleo and Georgy of Hangout found themselves at the center of a dramatic confrontation in Chicago on July 14, 2005. What started as a minor disagreement over a hotel room arrangement quickly escalated into a public spectacle, shedding light on the complexities of band dynamics and personal boundaries. The dispute began innocuously enough when Georgy, who prefers sleeping near a window, claimed her usual spot upon arriving at the hotel. This routine act of placing her luggage on the…
In a surprising twist to an already juicy tale, Clonide Telfort of D’Sire3 and Laporte Gabriel of Nu-Look have reportedly taken their relationship to the next level by tying the knot at a local courthouse earlier this week. A few months ago, we broke the news about Clonide’s pregnancy, with none other than Laporte being the father. Now, it seems the couple has decided to solidify their commitment not just to each other but to their upcoming bundle of joy. An eagle-eyed insider spotted the couple at the courthouse and shared that the duo appeared to be keeping things under…
Interview with Arly Lariviere of Nu-Look: New Album and Reflections on Konpa Direk Opa caught up with Nu-Look’s maestro, Arly Lariviere, at Club Excel, where the band had just finished performing for the night. Arly has recently released a collection of his love songs from previous albums. We had the opportunity to ask him a few questions about the new album, the band, and his opinions on a few topics. Cheyna: Hello, Arly! Arly: I would like to greet all of Opa’s members and you, Cheyna. I also want to greet all of my fans and fans of Konpa Direk…
The Princess answers some questions regarding the latest buzz circulating on the web about her and Pouchon from Djakout Mizik. She also shares updates on the situation with her bandmate Cleona Pierre, amidst rumors of a rift between them. Opa: Hey, Georgy! What’s going on? Georgy: Hi, Opa! I see you’re having a good time, Opa. (laughing) Opa: Me? You’re the one making all the buzz. Georgy: Really? Opa: Really! As if you didn’t know. Georgy: (Laughing) Tell me, what buzz? Opa: First things first, Georgy. How’s Hangout doing? Georgy: We’re doing great! We’re booked back-to-back. We recently toured Paris…
On Monday night I had the opportunity to witness one of Phantoms’ rehearsal sessions. I got the invite from Jensen but had to think twice since it was a weeknight and I didn’t want to go there and ended up falling asleep. Once I started thinking this would give me the opportunity to see what the band had up their sleeves for the tour, I found the energy and decided to go. On Monday night I had the opportunity to witness one of Phantoms’ rehearsal sessions. I got the invite from Jensen but had to think twice since it was…
King Kino Arrested Outside Brasserie Creole King Kino, the popular Haitian musician, was arrested last night outside the club Brasserie Creole after his regular Friday night performance. The arrest occurred following an altercation with police officers who were issuing parking tickets to cars illegally parked in the area. Witnesses reported that Kino exited the club and confronted the officers, disputing the tickets they were writing. The situation escalated when Kino got into his car, prompting the officers to run a check on his license plates. A sergeant was then called to the scene. Upon the sergeant’s arrival, a brief exchange…
Whispers are swirling around Hangout band members Cleo and Ronald, as insiders close to the duo claim that sparks are flying beyond their musical collaboration. A very reliable source has dished out some juicy details, suggesting that the two have been spending quite a bit of time together outside of their band duties. “When they’re around each other, you can tell something is going on with the two of them,” the source confided, hinting at a budding romance between the pair. However, not everyone is convinced that this romance will sail smoothly. The source added a spicy tidbit, doubting Ronald’s…
Issa El Saieh, the renowned orchestra leader and influential gallery owner, has passed away at the age of 85 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He is survived by his two children, Manno and Babette, and three grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy that touched various facets of Haitian culture. Born into a family that originated from Bethlehem and settled in Haiti via New York in the early twentieth century, the El Saiehs were successful entrepreneurs. Issa’s half-brother, Élias Noustas, established Haiti’s first department store, La Belle Créole, setting the stage for the family’s longstanding influence in the country. Issa El Saieh carved out…
March 26, 2005, will be remembered as a sensational night at Marabou Café, where the musical acts HangOut and Zin drew an impressive crowd of approximately 350 people, making the venue feel as though it hosted nearly 900. The atmosphere was electric, albeit sweltering, as the lack of adequate air conditioning turned the space into an inferno, much to the chagrin of the attendees. The evening kicked off around eleven o’clock with HangOut taking the stage. While the band’s overall sound was decent, there was a noticeable issue with the vocals. It became apparent that one voice was missing—a female’s…