By Moses St Louis On a proud day for Haitian New Yorkers, the New York City Council voted unanimously to recognize July 26 as Konpa Day . Every council member said yes to a resolution led by Council Member Rita Joseph, with support from her colleagues. That vote turned a community dream into official city history. Konpa is a Haitian music and dance style. It has steady drum rhythms, smooth guitars, and a slow, romantic groove that makes people want to dance close. For many

By Haitianbeatz If you follow kompa and the Haitian Music Industry, you already know the name Carlo Vieux . As a founding member of Carimi, he helped shape one of the most beloved bands of the 2000s and 2010s. Even if Richard Cave and Michael Guirand usually grabbed the spotlight, Carlo was always there, steady on stage and in the studio. After Carimi’s split, Richard and Michael moved quickly with new bands and brands. Fans saw them take clear frontman roles, while Carlo st

By Moses St Louis Thanksgiving Day already comes with its own warm feelings, but this year it carried something extra for me. It was the day I finally saw Bedjine and Kadilak live , not on a screen, not through headphones, but right in front of me. I had watched their videos, replayed their songs, and shared clips with friends. Still, nothing prepared me for what it would feel like to stand in a room and hear Bedjine’s voice fill the air. Her tone sounded like a beautiful in

By Haitianbeatz Haitian roots music, known locally as Racines , is drum-heavy, spiritual, and full of call-and-response chants that carry history in every beat. It was once the loud heartbeat of many stages in Haiti and in the diaspora, yet today it sits in the shadows of pop, konpa, and global trends. Into this quieter space steps Riva Nyri Precil. She sings in Creole, honors Vodou spirits, and wraps it all in modern production that feels both ancient and fresh. Her album “

By Haitianbeatz If you follow modern kompa at all, you already know the name Richard Cave . He is one of the top producers of his generation, the leader of Kai, and a steady force in the Haitian Music Industry (HMI) for years. Now he is back with a new Kai album, “I’m ok,” a 12 track project that feels personal, street, romantic, and honest all at once. The tracklist is: Intro “I’m ok” feat Kenny Haiti “Fucked up” feat Oswald “Anyen” feat Tklod “Pa gaspiye’m” “Se ou’l ye”

By Haitianbeatz The night at Moonlight was supposed to be pure joy. A crowded house, a Klass event, people dressed up, friends meeting, music rising. Then, halfway through, the air changed and the party was over. Someone dropped tear gas in the middle of the crowd. Eyes started burning, people coughed, and the fun flipped into panic in a matter of seconds. Two young women fainted and had to be carried out. Others rushed for the exits, scared and confused, not sure what was

By Moses St Louis A few weeks ago I shared an article about a quiet but serious clash behind the Nu Look MSG event. It was not about the music, the sound, or the date. It was about a logo on a flyer. The disagreement, according to my source, was simple on the surface. Promoter Richard Urbain, linked with Venus International, wanted his logo on the official The Theater at Madison Square Garden flyer. Arly Lariviere did not. Arly felt Richard was too divisive and that his nam

By Haitianbeatz Black Friday usually means crowded stores and long lines. This year, it also means pure Kompa joy. On Friday, November 28 , Bentley’s night club turns into a home base for Haitian music fans when Zafèm and Zile live hit the stage for a Thanksgiving Weekend party. You get Reginald Cange, the seasoned voice of Zafèm, and Anie Alerte, the bright star leading Zile, in one room. Two of the greatest voices in Haitian music, side by side, in a club built for live

By Haitianbeatz If you love Kompa and modern Haitian love songs, Thanksgiving Day is about to feel different this year. Richard Cavé and his band Kaï are getting ready to drop a new album titled “I’m ok” , and it is set to arrive on the same night they hit the stage at Bentley’s in Brooklyn with Bedjine and Kadilak. This project feels like a full emotional ride. The track list moves from pain and regret to acceptance and freedom, with songs like “Pa gaspiye’m,” “Fuck up,”

By Moses St Louis The Haitian music industry woke up in mourning, with hearts heavy and radios quiet. News spread that Dadou Pasquet , legendary guitar player, band leader, founder, and maestro of Magnum Band, passed away on Saturday night, November 22. For many of us, it felt like losing a family member, not just a musician. Dadou was more than a brilliant guitarist. He was a pillar of Kompa, a patient band leader, and a gentle soul who carried Haitian music across borders.

By Haitianbeatz On Thursday, November 20 at 10 AM, Haitian music will meet City Hall. New Yorkers will gather at 250 Broadway, 8th Floor (Hearing Room 2) as the City Council considers Resolution 987, which would declare July 26 as Haitian Konpa Day in New York City. A resolution is a formal statement from the City Council that shows the city’s support for an idea or cause. In this case, it says that Konpa, and Haitian music as a whole, deserve a permanent place in the city’

By Haitianbeatz For one night, Haitians did not talk only about fear, gunfire, or empty wallets.They talked about goals, saves, and a scoreboard that read Haiti 2, Nicaragua 0 . Haiti has qualified for a major tournament for only the second time in 51 years. In the middle of violence, political chaos, and deep economic struggle, the national soccer team gave the country something rare and precious: joy. This win is more than a result on a field. It is a sign that Haiti can s

Nu Look inside Symphony Hall in Boston By Haitianbeatz Picture Arly Larivière and Nu Look on stage at Symphony Hall in Boston, a hall known for classical music, charity galas, and strict “please be quiet” rules. Now add Konpa fans who know every lyric, came to sing their lungs out, and do not like to stay in their seats. That mix alone makes the night feel like a bold experiment. Konpa is built on interaction. People sing, dance, shout lines back to the singer, and live ins

By Haitianbeatz Are the top Haitian female artists outsinging the men in 2024 to 2025? Yes, on pure vocal range and control, they are setting the pace. Four fresh releases tell the story: Fatima’s "proteje"m", Anie Alerte’s "Vwayaj", Rutshelle Guillaume’s "12 ERA", and Vanessa Desire’s "Full package". Across these albums you hear konpa, jazz vocals, hip hop in Creole, Afro fusion, and Creole R&B, all handled with skill. The blend feels fearless, and it raises the bar for al

By Haitianbeatz Is there a record that feels like nightfall, calm air, and soft city lights? Chef D’Ooeuvre , the new album from Pierre Jean, lands right in that pocket. It is a silky, alternative listen with subtle konpa grooves tucked inside. Across 11 tracks, Pierre Jean builds a mellow, modern mood. This is not a traditional konpa record. It blends alt-pop and R&B textures with light guitar sway and syncopation. Features from King Street, Fatima Altiery, and T-jo Zenny a

By Haitianbeatz I was not paying much attention at first. The day was loud, my mind was busy, then Vanessa Desire’s voice cut through like sunlight on a gray room. The album is called Full Package , and it holds 13 tracks that feel tight, polished, and intimate. Here is a focused review. I cover sound, vocals, writing, and the best moments to replay. This feels like a reintroduction, a reset with heart on display and range to match. The vibe in one line: sleek Konpa with pop

By Haitianbeatz Rutshelle’s “12 Era” Album Review: A 22-Track Statement in the HMI How often do you see a 22-track album in the Haitian Music Industry today? The last big one many fans remember is Phantom’s classic “Oxygen” released in the 90’s, another 22-track marathon that became a reference point for the HMI. Now “12 Era” arrives, and Rutshelle is clearly not playing it safe. Instead of dropping a short, streaming-friendly project, she offers a long, layered album tha

Paris, November 11 2025 By Moses St Louis Last night belonged to KLASS. Fans arrived late, then poured in by waves, and the slow build outside turned into a surge inside. Adidas Arena was packed, except for two closed sections, and it still thumped like a full stadium. Konpa fans came to party, they sang, danced, and stayed in motion from the first drum hit to the last bow. The band dedicated the night to the 70th anniversary of Konpa dirèk , and you could feel the pride in

By Moses St Louis I touched down in Paris last night, November 2025, and the air felt electric. The taxi pulled onto wet streets, lights flickering on puddles, the city humming like a bassline. I came for the Klass Adidas concert Paris on Monday, but the vibe hit me right away. It felt like I had flown to Miami for a Compas Festival, not across the Atlantic. By the time I reached my place, I had already met three fans from the Haitian diaspora in France . Two wore small fl

By Haitianbeatz Speaking to a very credible source Haitianbeatz has learned that Djakout #1 has canceled all remaining shows for the year after Thanksgiving Weekend because Roro’s visa will expire. This pause affects December dates and beyond, a busy stretch for holiday parties and year-end festivals. It matters to kompa fans, promoters, and planners who count on the band’s high-energy sets for big nights. This article covers what happened, why visas control tours, why Ror