Why Darline Desca’s Claim About Women in HMI Is Outdated

By Moses St Louis

Darline Desca’s recent comments about women having to sleep with decision-makers in the Haitian Music Industry have stirred up plenty of debate. While this used to be a harsh reality for many women trying to break through, times have changed. Technology, streaming platforms, and social media have given artists new ways to rise without relying on a handful of gatekeepers.

As someone who’s worked with many talented women in HMI, I see firsthand that success today is about your music, work ethic, and connection with fans. Haitianbeatz stands as proof that talent and hustle matter much more than who you know. The old rules just don’t hold up like they used to.

For decades, control in the Haitian Music Industry (HMI) sat in the hands of a small circle. Success for a new artist often hinged on getting the nod from a powerful producer or promoter. The balance of power rarely favored newcomers, and that created a risky environment, especially for women. Here’s a closer look at how things played out during that era.

Back in the day, if you wanted your voice heard in HMI, you had to get past a few big names. These gatekeepers included:

• Producers (who picked which songs got recorded and funded studio time)

• Studio Owners (who controlled access to recording facilities)

• Musicians (who often doubled as arrangers or band leaders and decided which singers got noticed)

• Promoters and Event Organizers (who decided who got booked for prime gigs or festivals)

A young singer could be talented, but without the backing of these decision-makers, it was tough to get a song on the radio, land an album release, or secure a steady spot at live shows. Relationships with these influential figures often shaped the future for rising artists.

Key ways power holders-controlled careers:

• Selecting who recorded and when

• Deciding what music got distributed and promoted

• Choosing lineups for live performances and festivals

Most artists needed a producer or promoter’s connections to reach a bigger crowd. That created a feeling of dependency, especially for female singers new to the industry.

In that setup, many female artists faced unspoken rules. If you wanted to break in, some industry players looked for “something extra” beyond raw talent. Stories of studio sessions traded for private meetings or career promises linked to intimacy were common knowledge.

For a long time, it seemed almost expected for women to trade favors for progress. The culture made it hard to say no. Fear of missing out on opportunity, rumors of blacklisting, and actual threats often hung over those early industry interactions.

Patterns of this pressure included:

• Gatekeepers inviting female singers to meetings at odd hours alone

• Requiring “private auditions” before offering work

• Whisper networks warning newcomers about certain producers or promoters

This unhealthy culture felt normal to many for years. The line between business and personal boundaries was blurred by the power these gatekeepers held over music careers.

Technology has flipped the script in the Haitian Music Industry. Artists no longer need to depend on gatekeepers to share their voices and reach listeners. The shift from studio dependence to digital autonomy has opened doors for everyone, especially women who faced invisible barriers in the past. Here’s how new tools and platforms are giving power back to artists.

Online platforms have put the spotlight directly in the artist's hands. YouTube, SoundCloud, and TikTok now let musicians reach loyal fans without needing studio time or a connect at a local radio station. Gone are the days when artists waited months for a producer to listen to their demo. Today, it takes just minutes to upload music and share it globally.

Best of all, these platforms help artists stand out with unique styles and personalities. Social media strips away layers of industry politics, letting fans discover and support real talent. Many artists gain followings by:

• Posting original covers, mashups, or music videos on YouTube

• Sharing behind-the-scenes content and snippets on Instagram and TikTok

• Building communities on Facebook, WhatsApp groups, or dedicated fan pages

Streaming and direct uploads let music speak for itself. Popular videos or trending songs catch fire based on true appeal, not industry connections.

Affordable tech has made it possible for anyone with a laptop and a mic to become a producer, engineer, and promoter. You don’t need to book expensive studio time or sign with a major label to make professional-sounding music. Small home studios and digital tools are all you need to create, edit, and share new songs.

Artists can now handle every step from writing to release on their own schedule and budget. This means more creative control and fewer compromises. The DIY model also keeps greed and bias out. You no longer need to impress a “big boss” to get heard.

Haitianbeatz is one example of how technology brings the music community together and changes the old rules. It serves as an online meeting place for producers, artists, and fans. Instead of navigating back-door deals or chasing approval from insiders, musicians showcase their music and connect with supporters directly through it’s “Unplugged” showcase.

The platform covers a wide range of genres and highlights music from established and new voices, including female artists who once felt shut out. This proves power now sits with those who create and listen, not just a handful of insiders.

Technology continues to level the playing field. The next great artist no longer needs to know the right person, just the right way to connect with fans. This shift is reshaping success in HMI in real time for those willing to use new tools and share their work.

Progress in the Haitian Music Industry isn't just about new tools, it’s also about new people leading the way. I myself changed how artists—especially talented women—find success. I built a platform where fair treatment and opportunity beat old-school power games. Here’s how Haitianbeatz, values, and its approach opened doors for female musicians without the baggage of the past.

Haitianbeatz started out passionate about Haitian music, driven by a desire to share its energy and heart with a bigger audience. Seeing how hard it was for new voices to break in, he launched Haitianbeatz “Unpluggrd” to give every artist an equal shot—no matter their background or industry connections.

His major goals for the platform have always been clear:

• Fair play before favoritism: All artists, whether women or men, get the same chances.

• Supporting hard work: Genuine effort and talent always come first in his book.

Haitianbeatz built its reputation around treating work as work. No backroom deals, no special treatment, no crossed lines. It’s business, period. Many artists who partnered with Haitianbeatz have described the experience as professional and respectful from the first message to the final show. This is the opposite of the gatekeeper system where favors and side deals used to run the show.

Haitianbeatz believes in letting the music and the artist's drive speak for themselves. Over the years, they worked with a long list of female stars, many of whom were not yet household names when they started with them. Here are some of the artists he helped boost, thanks to technology and trust—not personal favors:

• Misty Jean

• Rutshelle Guillaume

• Fatima

• Esther Surpris

• Cadelouse

• Melly Sings

• Tadia Toussaint

• Anie Alerte

• Phyllisia Ross

• Emeline Michel

• Georgie Mettellus

• Mickael Marabou

• Cassandra Joseph

• Sharon Button

• Saskya Sky

• Darline Desca

• And many others

Most of these women started working with Haitianbeatz before they topped charts or headlined festivals. They climbed through steady effort, smart self-promotion, and real music. Not one has said Moses ever blurred lines between business and personal life. For these artists, success came from sweat, hustle, and transparent teamwork.

Here’s something many fans might not notice: these days, male artists in the HMI often reach out to female singers for features. The demand for talented women keeps rising. That’s a sign the tide is turning—not because favors are being traded, but because fan interest, fresh voices, and strong songs matter most.

The modern rise of artists like those working with Haitianbeatz didn’t happen by chance. Technology gave everyone new tools to create, share, and protect their work without old roadblocks.

These digital tools mean no one needs to slip past gatekeepers for a shot at the spotlight. Connections can start—and succeed—on talent alone. No need to work through someone behind the curtain. Each artist keeps more power, and every project stays clean and clear of misunderstandings.

This new system has quietly replaced the risky culture of favors and dependency. Artists can start from their own home, connect with others around the world, and grow their brands by what they deliver—not who they know or what they’re willing to do for a chance.

The result is a music scene where hard work and smart use of technology drive more stories like those from Moses St Louis and Haitianbeatz—success built on respect and results, not old rules or backroom deals.

There’s no denying that Darline Desca’s message hits a nerve. The idea that women in the Haitian Music Industry still need to sleep with industry players for a shot at success carries a heavy weight. But looking at what’s happening in the music scene now, the story is far more hopeful. Technology, new business models, and a different approach to music have changed the old rules. Let’s break down why this claim doesn’t fit the industry anymore, see where challenges still live, and look at simple changes to keep progress moving.

Why the Claim Is Outdated

There’s plenty of proof that an artist’s success in HMI is no longer tied to trading favors with powerful players. Let’s put the facts on the table.

• Music production is accessible: Affordable recording gear, laptop software, and online tutorials mean anyone can record and release music from home.

• Promotion is in your hands: Social media lets artists talk to fans whenever they want. You can drop new songs, promote shows, and build a following without waiting for anyone’s approval.

• Streaming earns money directly: You don’t need a label or a promoter to make money. Platforms like Spotify and YouTube pay artists based on their actual listens and views.

Artists who find their audience through work, talent, and direct outreach stand as real proof that women (and men) no longer need to pay personal dues to industry insiders for a career boost. People notice hustle and skill, not who you know or what you’re willing to tolerate.

It’s fair to say things aren’t perfect. Even with new tools, women in HMI still face some old problems, but they look different now.

The difference? The environment is not built on hush-hush exchanges for career favors anymore. Power is shifting. Technology lets artists skip over the old gatekeepers. The problems left are real but are from wider culture and daily bias, not a secret set of rules about who gets to succeed.

Making bold, simple changes is much more effective than looking back at how things used to be. With the tools, talent, and teamwork already out there, there’s no reason for anyone to say success in HMI demands personal compromise. Every artist, regardless of gender, deserves opportunity built on skill, work, and respect. The modern HMI is ready for this shift, and anyone can help make it real.

Work and personal lives often cross paths, especially in tight-knit industries like music. The idea of coworkers or collaborators forming close relationships, or even romantic ones, isn’t unique to the Haitian Music Industry. You’ll see the same patterns in Hollywood, on Broadway, in tech startups, sports teams, and even in local businesses. People spend the most time with others who share their passions and work schedules. It’s natural that friendships and relationships grow from those shared spaces.

Almost everyone spends a good chunk of their lives at work or working events. When people spend hours together rehearsing, touring, or putting shows together, connections deepen. It’s easy to see how shared effort and mutual respect can spark something more. People relate to those who understand their daily realities, struggles, and dreams.

There’s nothing scandalous about people building relationships where they spend most of their time. This is true for bands, singers, producers, and anyone working toward shared goals.

You’ll notice the same thing happens in other industries. In Hollywood, actors and actresses often partner up because they meet on set and form a connection that carries on after filming wraps. In tech companies, it’s common to hear stories about office couples who met while working long hours on a startup. Even doctors and nurses build relationships while spending late

This pattern is less about the industry and more about people naturally gravitating to those who share their environment and lifestyle.

After collaborating with many female artists in the Haitian Music Industry, I’ve seen how teamwork often forges real friendships and deep trust. Working on shows and concert, brings you closer to the artists. But my experience has always been strictly professional. With artists like Misty Jean, Rutshelle Guillaume, Fatima, Anie Alerte, the focus remained on creating great music, not on blurring personal boundaries.

I've worked alongside these women in a creative space, respecting each other's craft and vision. Real progress comes from choosing to partner with people based on their abilities, attitude, and work ethic. Healthy connections do develop naturally, but that’s very different from the old idea that someone’s career depends on crossing lines or trading favors.

The pattern of dating within one’s field is a regular part of professional life everywhere, not unique to music or the HMI. Technology, shared projects, and a high-energy work pace all contribute to bringing people together. It’s not a sign of favoritism or wrongdoing. Instead, it’s a reflection of real life where people connect over shared goals and experiences.

What matters most is that today, success is about talent and teamwork, not closed-door deals or who you date. The HMI, like many fields, now rewards hard work and creative partnership more than ever before.

The power struggles and pressures that once weighed on women in the Haitian Music Industry are losing their grip, thanks to technology and changing attitudes. Artists now build their names with talent, smart self-promotion, and the support of open platforms, not by trading favors or struggling against unfair gatekeepers. Stories like those from Haitianbeatz prove respect and integrity open more doors than old habits ever could.

The music scene grows stronger when fairness and professionalism lead the way. Keep supporting female artists and pushing for ethical, modern practices so every voice gets heard.

I report, you decide