Author: Opastaff
With a slew of new albums capturing headlines, one might expect Nu Look to feel pressured to release their own album or at least provide an update on its progress. However, Nu Look and its leader, Arly, operate differently. Arly is currently focused on a solo project featuring Alan Cave from Zin. Given both Arly and Alan’s penchant for perfection, expectations for a swift release might be optimistic; this album could potentially take another decade to materialize. The plan for the album involves a mix of duets and solo tracks for each artist, though currently, it seems only the concept…
In the 1990s, they were considered one of Konpa’s most powerful groups, and the one band known to have brought New Yorkers out five days a week. With monster hits like “Ti Poul la,” “14 Fevriye,” “Lanmou nan kalalou,” “Pa bouje,” “Pump up the volume,” “Ayiti an kòbòy,” “Vagabon,” “Don’t you know I love you,” and many more, Phantoms were on the verge of mainstream crossover success. Unfortunately, internal turmoil, changing times, the rise of new “lightweight” bands, and some involvement in Haitian politics led to Phantoms going into hibernation for several years. They made several attempts at a comeback,…
Last month, we reported on an emerging legal battle involving Dr. Pierre of the Center for Haitian Services, organizer of the Racine Festival held on November 2, 2007. Dr. Pierre was considering legal action against the band Djakout Mizik following their failure to appear at his festival due to a double booking conflict. Today, Dr. Pierre fulfilled his promise to pursue legal recourse. This morning, Gerald Firmin of Kaliko Productions, responsible for Djakout Mizik’s bookings in the Florida area, was served with court papers. Kaliko Productions had entered into a contractual agreement for Djakout Mizik to perform at the Racine…
At last night’s T-vice and Carimi party at Club Amazura, a fight broke-out during T-Vice’s set. Prior to that everything was going well although i arrived at the club at 12:10am and Carimi was still doing sound-check. The party didn’t start until 12:30am. Carimi kick it off with, Are you Ready, and continued on with, Bamn Pemisyon, Pouvwa, kidnapping. Micheal was very animated and got the crowd hype on the dance floor. At the end of their performance, to many people’s surprise, a Rara band came out in the crowd, started playing and people went wild. People were throwing their…
Opa was in attendance when Wyclef Jean was handed his diplomatic passport last night by his uncle, Raymond Joseph, Haiti’s ambassador to the United States. The honor was handed to him at SOBs in New York one day after the hip-hop star celebrated his 35th birthday. The self proclaimed number one Haitian received the title “Roving Ambassador” by Haiti president Rene Preval who was unable to attend the ceremony however many people came to show their support to the Grammy award winner, song writer, producer and founder of Yele Haiti; an organization that uses music, sports and the media to…
“I wish I could find these guys and kick their ass” a quote by American Rap Industry rapper 50 cent in this month’s September 21st issue of Rolling Stone Magazine. What made the rapper so upset to make such a bold statement? He was referring to the Internet bashing his recent album release. The rapper admits to reading the viewers comments religiously. There is no exception when it comes to Haitian artists. They, too, are obsessed with reading internet bashing even though they’re not subjected to a mere fraction of brutal criticisms that other countless industry artists endure. Nonetheless, that…
It is with great sorrow we announce the death of Alan Gregoire, the sound engineer for Nu Look. After arriving in New York on Friday September 21 with the band, Alan complained of a stomach ache. He was taken to St John’s Hospital in Queens the following day for observation and later released when doctors weren’t able to find anything wrong with him according to sources. He flew back to Florida were he was found dead at his home early this morning. His body is currently in a Florida morgue waiting to undergo an autopsy to determine the cause of…
In the past few days, our team at Opa has been diligently piecing together information regarding the mysterious circumstances surrounding Haitian party promoter, Mr. Robenson’s disappearance. Scheduled to depart Haiti for New York on August 17th to celebrate his son’s birthday in Philadelphia, Robenson’s plans were thwarted by Hurricane Dean, which disrupted all direct flights. His last known communication was with his son’s mother, informing her of his rerouted trip to Puerto Rico. Since then, details about Robenson’s whereabouts have become increasingly murky. Conflicting reports have emerged, with some sources close to Robenson suggesting that he was arrested upon his…
Tupac Shakur (2Pac) Murder: Tupac Shakur, a prominent rapper and actor, was fatally shot on September 7, 1996, in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was shot multiple times while sitting in a car with Suge Knight, the head of Death Row Records, after attending a Mike Tyson boxing match. Shakur succumbed to his injuries six days later, on September 13, 1996, at the age of 25. The murder remains officially unsolved, although various theories suggest it was connected to gang violence, East Coast-West Coast rap rivalries, or retribution for previous altercations. The lack of witnesses willing…
Larivierre has recently been at the center of numerous controversies, from a riot in Haiti at Djoumbala to an alleged kidnapping in Hinche, and more. Despite the turmoil, Mr. Larivierre has maintained his silence, not addressing the media at all. Amidst rumors of a potential band breakup, there’s been no comment from the Maestro. What is on Arly’s mind right now? According to a very close source to the Maestro: Arly is fully aware of his issues with tardiness and is committed to addressing them. However, it’s important for people to understand that his lateness is not due to carelessness.…