Author: Opastaff

Brooklyn, NY – August 26, 2008— In a surprising turn of events, Digicel has announced its decision to sponsor Krezi Mizik for this year’s annual Labor Day Festival on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York. This move marks a notable departure from the company’s longstanding tradition of sponsoring Djakout Mizik at the festival. Sources close to both parties revealed to Opa that Digicel’s decision was influenced by their unfamiliarity with Kensy of Kensy Productions, Djakout Mizik’s representative in New York and a well-known figure in the U.S. market. According to these sources, Digicel explicitly stated, “They didn’t know who Kensy…

After RAM’s manager Richard Morse informed Opa last weekend that Fos Baron Festival organizers never had a contract with RAM and that they were only using RAM’s name for publicity purposes and that RAM will be performing in Haiti, but not at Fos Baron Fest, another band that is suppose to be on the lineup seems to be a question mark as well. When Opamizik asked RaRam’s representative “Choubou” if Raram has obtained the visas they were supposed to have picked up last Monday, Choubou’s reply was very vague; he told Opamizik that the visas were approved but when I…

In a startling revelation, RAM’s manager, Richard Morse, has informed Opa that the Fos Baron Festival organizers have been using RAM’s name without an official contract, purely for publicity purposes. RAM is confirmed to perform in Haiti, but not at the Fos Baron Fest, throwing the festival lineup into further doubt. Adding to the festival’s woes, another scheduled performer, Raram, faces visa complications. According to Raram’s representative, Choubou, while the band’s visas have been approved, they have yet to be collected from the American Embassy. Choubou disclosed to Opa that despite approval, the embassy has not scheduled an appointment for…

Jojo Lorquet of all people must have wanted to give Rodney Noel the finger for a while now. So what did he do? He got together with others to make sure the gesture was long enough to stick it in Compas Festival’s organizers’ faces. Jojo Lorquet and company have put together a festival in Fort Lauderdale (hereafter FL) to go head-to-head with Compas Festival (hereafter CF) in Miami on the same day in May of next year. The lineups are as follows: Compas Festival: Djakout Mizik, Kreyola La, Back Up, Mizik Mizik, Harmonik, Brother Possie, Zin, Carimi, Nu Look, and…

“Paris is Burning” is a groundbreaking 1990 documentary directed by Jennie Livingston that explores the vibrant drag ball culture in New York City during the 1980s. The film provides an intimate look into the lives of Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals who created their own underground community and culture in response to systemic marginalization and discrimination. At the heart of the documentary is the drag ball scene, where participants from different “houses” compete in elaborate, often extravagant fashion shows or “balls,” aiming to win trophies and respect. The documentary highlights the significance of these houses, which act as surrogate families…

When Gracia Delva found himself unable to leave Haiti, many thought it signaled the end for the band Zenglen. Doubt had seeped into the group, pushing the musicians to contemplate a fresh start. Amidst the uncertainty, Richie stood as the singular voice of optimism, pledging to reunite the scattered pieces of Zenglen. His promise was not just words; after a challenging eight months, he successfully reassembled the band. The quest to find a replacement for Gracia Delva was particularly daunting. Richie had been eyeing Reginald as a potential addition for some time but hesitated due to immigration complications. This changed…

I’m pretty sure by now all of you has put two and two together and realized Laporte Gabriel was the alleged woman beater that spent a couple of nights in jail. Well, it turned out Laporte put a beating on his wife Desire member Clonide Telfort. The same woman he had a baby with last year and married. I dropped by the beauty salon where she works at to see how to was holding up and to find out if the rumors were true. Clonide reported that it wasn’t her at all, she stated he never put his hands on her…

Arthur Teele Jr., a former Miami city commissioner, was a figure both towering and tragic, whose life and career encapsulated both the heights of political influence and the depths of personal despair. Known for his robust support of Miami’s Haitian community, Teele was instrumental in funding various cultural activities, including the popular Haitian Compas Festival and the Haitian Music Awards. However, beneath the surface of public service, a storm of controversy and allegations was brewing, one that would ultimately lead to his dramatic and public demise. Three years ago, the city of Miami was shaken by the news that Teele,…

$2.7 Million in Checks Issued by NYC to Vendors for Administration for Children Services Stolen DARLY ESTINVAL, a Principle Administrative Associate with the New York City Administration for Children Services (ACS), was arrested earlier today for her role in a counterfeit check cashing ring that comprised dozens of participants and operated principally in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, New York.1 The defendant’s initial appearance is scheduled this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Marilyn D. Go, at the U.S. Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York. The arrest was announced by Benton J. Campbell, United States Attorney for the Eastern District…

In a recent interview with Opa Music, Brutus, one of the leaders of the renowned Haitian music band Zenglen, addressed the mixed reactions to their latest CD. The new album has sparked controversy among fans and HMI (Haitian Music Industry) personalities, with some criticizing its lack of commercial appeal and street sound, or “son lari ya.” Brutus responded candidly to these criticisms, stating, “One of the criticisms we’ve been hearing is that the Zenglen CD is not commercial enough or ‘li pa gen son lari ya.’ Well, one thing about Zenglen is that we’ve always been a leader in the…