After weeks of speculation and criticism, Nu Look maestro Arly Larivière has finally spoken out about the controversy surrounding the song “Cookie” from the band’s new CD. The song, which has raised eyebrows for its seemingly provocative lyrics about an underage girl, has been a hot topic in the Haitian Music Industry (HMI). In an exclusive conversation, Arly offered his perspective on the matter.
Addressing the controversy head-on, Arly said, “Well, THAT’S WHAT IT IS. It’s a story written by M. Lubin over music I composed. I already had the music since the last Nu Look studio album, but I didn’t have any lyrics for it, so I decided to hold on to it. Lubin gave me the words for the song, and after he explained the story, I thought it was an interesting subject to explore.”
According to Arly, the song tells a story about a “Cookie”—a term referring to girls who are on the cusp of turning 18 but have not yet reached legal age. “Sometimes in life, there are some ‘Cookies’ you see that you’d love to ‘eat,’ but you CAN’T because it could get you into serious trouble,” he explained. He added that the concept reflects a reality that exists in many countries, particularly in Haiti, where such situations can sometimes rob young people of their childhood.
When asked if the song was based on any personal experiences, Arly responded with a laugh, choosing not to answer directly. He did, however, acknowledge that there are instances where younger girls can appear much older than they are. “Some ‘Cookies’ are close to 18 but look like they’re 26, and that can trick a lot of guys out there,” he remarked.
As the conversation wrapped up, Arly offered a more reflective stance: “There are some things in life that you just don’t do. You just CAN’T do. You can’t go after a ‘Cookie.'”
While Arly’s explanation offers insight into the intent behind the song, the controversy surrounding “Cookie” continues to spark debate among fans and critics. Whether or not this explanation will quell the criticism remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Nu Look is not backing away from the song’s provocative message.