Author: Opastaff
“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…
King kino said next week Savoir Faire will be served with court papers because Savoir Faire has no legal rights nor contract to reproduce or rerelease Phantoms’ work, Kino stated if Foe has any legal papers for that then he should bring them forward. When Jensen contacted Foe on this issue yesterday Foe told Jensen that Jean-Max gave the ok to release the Troubadour but when I spoke to Jean-Max this morning, he told me that he found out from Lemy yesterday that Savoir Faire had released the cd and that he has no idea what Foe is talking about.…
In a brewing legal dispute, King Kino has announced plans to serve Savoir Faire with court papers next week. According to Kino, Savoir Faire has no legal rights or contracts to reproduce or re-release any of Phantoms’ work. He challenged Foe, a representative from Savoir Faire, to provide any legal documentation supporting their actions. The controversy escalated when Jensen contacted Foe about the issue. Foe claimed that Jean-Max had authorized the release of the “Troubadour” album. However, Jean-Max contradicted this statement, telling Jensen that he only learned about the release from Lemy yesterday and had no knowledge of any such…
In a time when many new Compas music albums either lack quality or fail to deliver a meaningful message, often relying on the emerging trend of “voye monte” to provoke strong reactions from die-hard fans, there is a noticeable impact on album sales. These fans often prefer attending live events over purchasing studio albums. It’s refreshing to see that Zenglen can still cater to both party-goers and non-party people by skillfully varying the pace and style on their current album. The long-awaited 9th studio album, titled “5ieme Vitesse,” offers a diverse range of music that caters to different tastes. The…
Nu Look, a popular band in the Haitian Music Industry, finds itself embroiled in a booking conflict that has left promoters and fans puzzled and frustrated. The band reportedly accepted a $5,000 deposit from two different promoters for performances scheduled on the same date, June 14th. The controversy has sparked concerns about the band’s booking practices and communication. The situation came to light when advertisements began circulating in both New Jersey and Haiti, each promoting a Nu Look performance on the aforementioned date. The promoters from New Jersey shared their experience, detailing a transaction with Fanfan Senatus, a close associate…