there are a lot of good Haitian bands out there that's putting out great hip hop records. but the world & also the Haitian world don’t get a chance to hear them.  Once again we don’t have the proper channels (platform) to communicate with each other in a global forum.  Haitian music have extended beyond compa & voodoo.  When you take a listen of old compa like Sico, Nemou, Volo Volo, Gypsie, Tabou the music is an amalgamation of sound across the globe (funk, jazz, salsa, African guitars etc.)  Of course we also have the right to Rap.  Eminen a white youth is one of most popular rapper around the world now how you gonna say we cant rap. (just listen before judgement) Let's stop  judging our selves and start supporting the new artists that are paving the way into the new millennium.  Wyclef is not the only Haitian rapper / with do respect he did a lot to pave the way, but we must remember to open our ears the other Haitian Hip Hoppers. Recently i heard this Haitian rap group from Brooklyn, NY called themselves [ Vòdû 155 ] and i was blown the f#*k away.  what's amazing about it this record is that it came out on a major label Island Records (1995)  before the Fugees.  And i am sure most of you have never heard of them.  We have diamonds in backyards we just have cultivate our brains.

There are many ways in which the youth and even adults can learn about Haiti, it's culture and history.

One thing that is very important is that when it comes to the youth, parents must not leave education up to the school system. In the case of this post, education of our youth cannot be done only by Hip Hop, The Media and books. It is the duty of parents to set aside time and teach their children by getting those books for them to read, asking them questions about the books, and taking their children out to participate in events that will expand their minds.

Hip Hop and Konpa can teach, if the artist is gearing his or her music towards teaching, enlightenment and upliftment. Such is not always the case when we here music about "michelle, my belle...gone to November", "m'anvi mayin'w", "souke dada'w" and "nou pa ashte' kredi". Many artists within our very own community are not taking responsibility for their popularity and awareness, whereas Hip Hop IS  teaching and is heavily involved in Voter Registration and other community affairs.

Haitian Hip Hop can teach, if it does not feed off the mainstream style of Hip Hop that spits on the mic solely about money, cash, hoes, cars, b*tches and drugs.

Another avenue of teaching and exploring culture and history is the Open Mic Poetry scene which has grown in large proportions across the United States to the point that Russell Simmons has an HBO special called DEFPoertyJam. (August 1st my fellow poet, Will Da Real One from Miami, FL will be featured!).

Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word teaches and opens the mind and spirit...and on that note, a shameless plug!

If you could be so kind as to post this on your ssite regarding a cultural artistic event in Miami, Florida. We are not able to afford any fees at this time so if there is a fee, please let us know so that for future reference we amy be able to accomodate this fee. Thank you in advance for your assistance and support!
*********************************

Club Exhale, in conjunction with Le Pavillion Restaurant, cordially invite you to come savor what has grown to be the most talked about event in The Haitian and Haitian-American community.

Every Thursday, from 8pm (exact)-11pm (exact), you are invited to come let your mind and soul swim in a pool of Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word with a Haitian twist! Yes, this event is the only Haitian Open Mic in the U.S. and has excelled in bringing to the stage some of the most talented Haitian and Haitian-American artists. In an atmosphere of vibes and grooves filled with culture, ambiance poetry, music, and art, Le Pavillion has opened it's doors to the Haitian American Open Mic scene to allow poets to come and release! Almost a year after its inception at Nuvo Cafe Restaurant , Club Exhale is still growing strong at Le Pavillion Restaurant(486 NE 167th St.)....bigger and better!

Club Exhale@Le Pavillion offers the community Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word in English, French, and Kreyol by various Haitian and Haitian-American artists/lyricists, as well as poetry by our Latin/Boricua, Caribbean and African-American artists who grace our stages to "spit fire". In addition to this, the $10.00 admission offers a free buffet, and a full cash bar. Le Pavillion, popular for it's many delicacies including Griot, Tasso, Fried Fish and Conch(Lambi), is now being hailed as the place where culturally inclined, positive people meet along with urban professionals, artists and art admirers to enjoy a sensation long awaited by the Haitian community.

Club Exhale is also the crossroads where the soon to be released poetry ensemble, "The Maroons", met and decided to band together and attack the microphones of all stages and cafes with Haitian-American flavor and fervor. These poets (Underscore, Deadly Venom, Mak30-aka Makendal, and Deep In Thought) have decided to take on the modern day
roles of maroons or "neg marons" and although usually obscure, they come down from from the mountains of society to attack the microphone and
free minds, and souls with harsh reality, sensuality, history, culture all mixed with a Haitian/Kreyol flava! For more info on The Maroons and their debut performance July 31st, 2004, go to http://www.islandfaith.com or call 786-273-5115.

Club Exhale's Haitian-American Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word sponsored by:

AmerisFirst Mortgage and Investment, inc.
561-279-8087
1-800-955-6684
Nadine B. Ameris of 1st Home Realty
561-254-4801
Radyo Ayiti Intenasyonal 980 AM Mon-Th 3pm
Le Pavillion Restaurant
Radyo Carnivale 1080 AM

FOR POET BOOKINGS OR TO BE REMOVED FROM THIS EVITE EMAIL LIST ,
CONTACT MAKENDAL30@AOL.COM.

Planning on performing? Contact Jefferey Lubin @ 305-495-1776.

Come hear, see and feel the art of Spoken Word...se pa jwet non!

 

"I am Haitian not only because I was born in Haiti, but because Haiti was born in me."- Mak30

 

Hip Hip is a very progressive music.  It is a protest music.  To understand  what I am saying try to listen to "The Last Poets".  I do not think the Haitians artists are ready for that.  You must understand that the Haitians musicians have chosen to be part of the problem. Dadou Pasket is supposed to be Muslim but he is playing Neil Simon. It is very sad.  Kery James is known to very, very few Haitians.  Go figure.

I think that the way someone expresses his/herself is not what's matter. 

For the kids, those who live abroad, to learn about their home country must have a guide.  Someone must be telling them about their culture and where they from or otherwise they will get lost with the flow and culture of where they are currenty living.

For my fellow haitian at home, books in not the answer baby.  Remember that more than 89% of the population of the country connot read or write so it wont help much if you put it on books an place it on shelves in libraries.

In my opinion, the use of interesting TV shows about culture in the Capital and the more "Advanced" provinces, like Cape Haitian and Jacmel will help a lot because once it is interesting people will deefinetely watch it.

For the "Retarded" comunes where TV is not much used, Radio Station Programme will help a lot.

But as I was saying, it only my opinion, maybe there is a better way somebody can bring up to help solving the situation.

 

Look here my fellow Haitian as most of us knows that in America hip-hop is a way for young black man to talk about what going where they from,which project and how bad it was and still is for most of them,it's how they expresss them self and hopefully make a difference and society.It's way out what they called project and to a better life. Last time I was in Haiti most of the young kids back are into hip-hop, they listening to various groups in Haiti that does hip-hop in creole and they mostly talk about the same things that rapers in America talk about provety,not getting a chance in they own country to progress because of all the political bull **** that's going there and so on...

The best way to learn about Haitian History and culture is to read. There large volume of document available on the web and the library about Haiti history and culture. You just have to find the time and read.  Do you seriously believe that the Hip Hop generation ( Haitian) can make a different in Haiti? I hope so,  but i am not certain. Look at wyclef for example e.g He has helped to dismiss some stereotypes about Haitian, however he has not done much to help his people ( he mostly buy cars with his money) nor his country.  c ya