Klass at Sea: 13 Years of Unmatched Energy on the Hornblower Infinity

By Moses St Louis

Every summer, Klass fans count down to a night on the water that’s packed with sweat, laughter, and unmatched energy. For 13 years running, the Hornblower Infinity has become more than just a yacht—it’s the stage for one of the most anticipated live events in the Haitian music scene in New York.

This tradition isn’t just about music; it’s about the bond between the band and everyone on board. The excitement builds long before the first notes, and you can feel it as people step onto the deck. From Pipo Stanis commanding the mic to Cadelouse pulling off her heels to dance, every moment keeps the crowds hooked.

The Klass Yacht Party isn’t just another concert—it’s a yearly reunion for fans who show up ready to celebrate, sing, and dance their hearts out. This night isn’t just special—it’s unforgettable.

When you think about live music in the HMI, few bands carry the same weight as Klass. For over a decade, they've owned their spot, steering the ship of modern Haitian music. Their yacht parties aren't just concerts—they feel like family events where the crowd and the band are all in it together, singing and dancing until the night ends.

Every band tries to add their personal twist to live shows, but Klass took that idea further by bringing their crowd onto the water. The tradition of holding concerts aboard the Hornblower Infinity started over a decade ago, and it’s become a summer ritual for fans.

What’s so special about this yacht party?

• The setting is unique—you’re not just watching Klass; you’re surrounded by the New York skyline, the river breeze, and city lights.

• The band and crowd become a single unit, with no clear divide between stage and audience.

• The sense of freedom mirrors the music itself: open skies, open water, and no walls keeping anyone from dancing.

Klass chose the theme for more than novelty. The yacht party symbolizes their adventurous spirit and roots in Haitian culture—where water, music, and community always mix. For the band, playing on the Hornblower is a way to offer fans a space that feels both exclusive and welcoming. For fans, it’s a yearly moment to let loose, meet friends, and sing every song word-for-word alongside their favorite artists.

The result? After 13 straight years, this yacht party has cemented its reputation as one of the go-to experiences for anyone who loves konpa music. From high-energy stage antics to spontaneous dance-offs on deck, the Klass yacht party is the HMI’s must-attend floating festival.

As soon as you board the Infinity Hornblower for the Klass Yacht Party, you know you’re in for something rare. The city skyline glows, the river air feels crisp, and every part of the yacht pulses with excitement. This isn’t a regular club or a standard concert hall—it’s a floating celebration that brings the best of Haitian music and culture right to the water.

Every detail on board feels chosen for a perfect night. Tables are scattered with drinks and food, but it’s the open floor that pulls people in. As Klass tunes up, fans gather near the stage, hands in the air, some grabbing the best viewing spots while others start dancing right away.

The real magic, though, comes from the energy between Klass and the crowd. Guests don’t stand on the sidelines—they’re part of the show. Even before the first beat drops, you hear people singing warm-ups or shouting song requests. Once Klass arrives, Pipo Stanis will have everyone waving, clapping, and moving with him, song after song.

Here’s what makes this on-yacht concert stand out:

• 360-Degree Energy: No walls, just river breezes and a dance floor that stretches in every direction.

• Crowd Togetherness: The intimate space brings everyone closer, so you’re never more than a few steps from the action.

• Unscripted Party Moments: Crowd chants, spontaneous dance circles, and fans belting out lyrics shoulder to shoulder with the band.

By 10pm, it’s hard to tell who’s performing for whom. The yells and chants rise over the city as Klass chalks up another year of turning a concert into a full-blown, on-the-water carnival.

Klass doesn’t waste a second when it comes to their setlist. The show kicks off with a cover of Les Freres Dejean’s “Qu’est Ce Que la Vie,” which instantly hooks the old-school fans. The sound of horns floats above the deck, and everyone sings along, a clear sign of respect for kompa’s roots and the band’s place in its future.

From there, Klass rolls out a perfect mix:

• Old favorites like “M’ap Marye” and “FKD” send the crowd into a frenzy. You see arms in the air, couples spinning, and even the shyest fans mouthing every lyric.

• Newer tracks like “DDN,” “Pou Yon Moun M’ap Mande,” and “”ou tou la”” showcase the band’s growth. Each song feels fresh, but still tethered to the classic sound that’s made them legends.

• Surprise covers and unexpected mash-ups keep things unpredictable. When backup singer Cadelouse kicked off her shoes to dance barefoot, the crowd roared and clapped, egging her on as she tore into each song like it was her last.

One of the biggest reactions comes when Klass hits their closer, “Dwat Pou Vini.” The whole yacht gets swept up in the moment. Some fan groups start their own chants. Everywhere you look, people are locked in, singing, moving, laughing, even sharing their own live videos for friends back home.

If you’re lucky enough to be there, the setlist feels more like a playlist shared between friends, with Klass as the host. Every chorus, every call-and-response with Pipo, every dance move from Cadelouse, turns the party up another notch. The crowd isn’t just watching—they’re living every beat.

This floating concert delivers memories you can’t manufacture anywhere else. It's where tradition and spontaneity meet, with Klass steering the ship and every fan along for the wild, unforgettable ride.

This year’s Klass yacht party delivered everything fans expect and more. From the moment guests stepped onto the Infinity Hornblower, the night instantly felt like a celebration that had been building up for months. The dock buzzed with excitement, but not everyone was lucky enough to board. Crew members announced the yacht had hit its limit, leaving a line of eager fans behind on the pier, proof that demand for Klass’s annual celebration only gets stronger.

On July 27, one day after the anniversary of Konpa direct’s birth, Klass sets sail once more. Maestro Richie said it best: “Without Nemours Jean Baptiste, we would not have been here tonight. Let’s give praise to him.” That connection to the roots is no accident. Klass keeps Konpa’s spirit alive with every note.

The energy on the Infinity Hornblower reached a peak thanks to moments that stood out from years past. Klass isn’t just a band; they’re entertainers, and much of the magic comes down to the powerful stage presence of lead singer Pipo Stanis and the unexpected highlights from backup singer Cadelouse. Their different approaches each added a unique spark, showing how much Klass has grown as performers. Here’s a closer look at what made this year’s show unforgettable.

Pipo Stanis: Commandeering the Stage

A big transformation of  Pipo. Pipo Stanis doesn’t just sing now—he owns every inch of the stage. Over the years, he’s gone from a strong lead to an unstoppable force, a frontman who pulls the crowd into his world from the first song. This year, his transformation was on full display the minute the band kicked off with “Qu’est Ce Que la Vie.”

• Full Crowd Control: Early in the set, Pipo didn’t wait for the crowd to warm up—he made them break into song and dance. Every gesture, nod, and note had people responding instantly. He led group singalongs, cued call-and-responses, and even handpicked fans from the front to join in for short solos.

• Unmatched Energy: Pipo kept moving, almost as if driven by the tides themselves. His vocals stayed strong from start to finish—something only years of stamina and practice can deliver. Each song carried his signature power, but also gave him space to connect: locking eyes, cracking jokes between tracks, and sharing moments that felt personal.

• Natural Evolution: You could see how Pipo has grown: sharper stage instincts, a bigger bag of tricks for crowd control, and a cool confidence that spreads across the band. He wasn’t just performing; he was steering the whole night’s mood, guiding fans through a set that mixed nostalgia and fresh beats.

• Peak Moments: The highlight came during “Dwat Pou Vini,” where he had almost the entire yacht forming circles, dancing arm-in-arm. Pipo serves as a living example of what happens when a musician invests years into their craft—he’s now the anchor of Klass’s show, trusted to turn any night into a party.

  
  

Cadelouse: Dynamic Performance and Spontaneity

Cadelouse took a different approach but left just as strong a mark. Her moment came when she did something you don’t see every day—she slipped off her red bottom heels and chose to perform barefoot. That one move changed the air on deck.

• Barefoot and Free: As soon as her shoes came off, Cadelouse looked right at home. Her dance moves stretched bigger, more fluid, and every step became part of the beat. It was a small choice, but it made a big impact—showing fans her comfort and inviting them to be themselves too.

  
  

Together, Pipo’s command and Cadelouse’s spontaneity brought out the best in Klass. They turned the Infinity Hornblower into a place where letting loose is expected, and unforgettable memories are made in every song.

Party’s $50 Bonny Goat Plate Sparks Outrage

There’s one thing that left a bad taste for many: food prices. One plate of bonny goat, just a few pieces, went for $50. A lot of guests felt let down, and it’s clear this is an issue the promoters need to fix.

The excitement around yacht parties comes from the promise of something special—a blend of good music, great company, and stunning views. People show up not just for the vibe, but for a luxury experience from start to finish. When tickets aren’t cheap to begin with, expectations run high for what’s delivered onboard. It's why those attending the Klass yacht party felt let down when the price of food became more shocking than the event itself.

A $50 plate with only a few pieces of bonny goat hit the crowd like cold water. Folks pulled out their wallets only to walk away grumbling, some without even tasting a bite.

Instead, many guests felt like they’d been hustled, paying five-star prices for street-fair servings. That’s not just disappointing—it can change how people talk about your event long after the music stops.

When selecting food vendors for an event, promoters need to do more than pick based on popularity or connections. They should sit at the table ready to fight for the guests’ interests.

If a bonny goat plate costs too much, promoters need to call it out, not shrug it off. A quick meeting or honest phone call with the vendor before the party can prevent trouble. If a deal starts to feel like a cash grab for either side, it’s time to renegotiate.

Promoters who tackle these issues head-on show respect for their guests, making the experience memorable for the right reasons. Fair food pricing and clear messaging are the foundation of events that people want to return to, time and again.

Great parties make people feel valued. When guests pay top dollar, their experience should back up every cent. Ignoring concerns about something as basic as food pricing can put a dent in trust that's tough to rebuild.

Promoters have a real chance to learn from the  yacht party's $50 goat plate controversy. Listening, being clear with prices, and showing respect for your crowd make all the difference. People remember how you treat them. Set the bar higher next time, and let fair value and great service be what everyone talks about after the music ends.

Klass’s annual yacht party has grown into a living legend, shining as the ultimate summer escape for both the band and their loyal fans. Year after year, people look forward to this floating concert as both a highlight of their calendar and a time to reconnect with friends, music, and culture. The tradition stays alive by growing with its audience, always adding something new but never losing its roots.

The real fuel behind Klass’s run of 13 straight years on the Hornblower is the army of fans who show up, no matter the cost or weather. Fans don’t just attend, they plan their summers around this one night.

• Many buy tickets weeks early, rallying big groups of friends and family to share the night together.

• Some fans even fly in from out of state or overseas, just to be part of the memory.

Klass returns this dedication with a show that feels deeply personal. You shake hands with strangers who become friends, and each year adds a new layer to the community spirit.

Klass proves you can respect the past while making each year feel like a new adventure at sea.

After more than a decade of floating celebrations, Klass shows no signs of slowing down. The yacht party has taken root as a New York summer tradition that fans expect and demand.

For many, missing the yacht party isn’t an option. The buzz starts once the boat docks, with people already talking about what they hope to see next year.

Klass’s yacht tradition is now woven into the fabric of both New York’s HMI music scene and the personal memories of thousands. Every show adds another chapter, making sure this party keeps sailing for many more summers.

Once the gates closed and the yacht set sail, the energy soared. SOBS and Savoir Faire, the event organizers, greeted guests with a fun surprise: captain hats for everyone. Laughing and posing for photos, people put them on to play along, each person ready to be “captain” for the night. It was a small touch that made everyone feel like a part of something bigger.

Inside, there wasn’t a hint of quiet. The audience came to party, and party they did. As soon as the band took the stage, Klass played a nonstop set—no breaks, just music and sweat. The audience matched that intensity, filling the dance floor and never letting up. Water and drinks kept flowing, shoes came off, and nobody seemed to want the night to slow down even for a minute. Some fans found a spot near the stage and didn’t leave it, not wanting to miss a single moment. Others turned the yacht into their own dance floor, moving from one end to the other with big smiles and arms full of friends.

With Klass, fans know they’re getting more than a playlist—they’re promised a true show. That “satisfaction guaranteed” reputation? It’s real. Maestro Richie makes sure the band’s sound is on-point all night, layering keys and keeping transitions tight. Every band member put their all into the performance, and it showed.

When the last song faded and the yacht turned back toward shore, you could see it on every face: the crowd was buzzing, but also thinking about the next party. Everyone left feeling like their ticket was worth every penny. As always, a Klass show leaves you wanting more, counting down days until you get to relive it all over again.

Klass’s yearly cruise turns a summer night into pure joy that stays with you long after the music stops. Each show builds on the last, fueled by fans who match the band’s heartbeat with every song. The tradition isn’t just about a great set or a sold-out boat—it’s about shared moments that remind everyone why this night matters. Klass keeps raising the bar, proving that real connection and high energy never get old.

Klass’s annual yacht party stays special because it feels both timeless and alive. Each summer, from the first note to the last dance, the band creates a space where everyone can let loose and feel connected—music, energy, and community all wrapped into one unforgettable ride. This tradition matters because it brings people together and keeps Konpa’s heartbeat strong. If you’ve ever wondered why people come back, year after year, it’s simple: no one throws a party at sea like Klass.