Author: Opastaff
Arthur Teele Jr., a former Miami city commissioner, was a figure both towering and tragic, whose life and career encapsulated both the heights of political influence and the depths of personal despair. Known for his robust support of Miami’s Haitian community, Teele was instrumental in funding various cultural activities, including the popular Haitian Compas Festival and the Haitian Music Awards. However, beneath the surface of public service, a storm of controversy and allegations was brewing, one that would ultimately lead to his dramatic and public demise. Three years ago, the city of Miami was shaken by the news that Teele,…
$2.7 Million in Checks Issued by NYC to Vendors for Administration for Children Services Stolen DARLY ESTINVAL, a Principle Administrative Associate with the New York City Administration for Children Services (ACS), was arrested earlier today for her role in a counterfeit check cashing ring that comprised dozens of participants and operated principally in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, New York.1 The defendant’s initial appearance is scheduled this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Marilyn D. Go, at the U.S. Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York. The arrest was announced by Benton J. Campbell, United States Attorney for the Eastern District…
In a recent interview with Opa Music, Brutus, one of the leaders of the renowned Haitian music band Zenglen, addressed the mixed reactions to their latest CD. The new album has sparked controversy among fans and HMI (Haitian Music Industry) personalities, with some criticizing its lack of commercial appeal and street sound, or “son lari ya.” Brutus responded candidly to these criticisms, stating, “One of the criticisms we’ve been hearing is that the Zenglen CD is not commercial enough or ‘li pa gen son lari ya.’ Well, one thing about Zenglen is that we’ve always been a leader in the…
In a brewing legal dispute, King Kino has announced plans to serve Savoir Faire with court papers next week. According to Kino, Savoir Faire has no legal rights or contracts to reproduce or re-release any of Phantoms’ work. He challenged Foe, a representative from Savoir Faire, to provide any legal documentation supporting their actions. The controversy escalated when Jensen contacted Foe about the issue. Foe claimed that Jean-Max had authorized the release of the “Troubadour” album. However, Jean-Max contradicted this statement, telling Jensen that he only learned about the release from Lemy yesterday and had no knowledge of any such…
King kino said next week Savoir Faire will be served with court papers because Savoir Faire has no legal rights nor contract to reproduce or rerelease Phantoms’ work, Kino stated if Foe has any legal papers for that then he should bring them forward. When Jensen contacted Foe on this issue yesterday Foe told Jensen that Jean-Max gave the ok to release the Troubadour but when I spoke to Jean-Max this morning, he told me that he found out from Lemy yesterday that Savoir Faire had released the cd and that he has no idea what Foe is talking about.…
In a time when many new Compas music albums either lack quality or fail to deliver a meaningful message, often relying on the emerging trend of “voye monte” to provoke strong reactions from die-hard fans, there is a noticeable impact on album sales. These fans often prefer attending live events over purchasing studio albums. It’s refreshing to see that Zenglen can still cater to both party-goers and non-party people by skillfully varying the pace and style on their current album. The long-awaited 9th studio album, titled “5ieme Vitesse,” offers a diverse range of music that caters to different tastes. The…
Nu Look, a popular band in the Haitian Music Industry, finds itself embroiled in a booking conflict that has left promoters and fans puzzled and frustrated. The band reportedly accepted a $5,000 deposit from two different promoters for performances scheduled on the same date, June 14th. The controversy has sparked concerns about the band’s booking practices and communication. The situation came to light when advertisements began circulating in both New Jersey and Haiti, each promoting a Nu Look performance on the aforementioned date. The promoters from New Jersey shared their experience, detailing a transaction with Fanfan Senatus, a close associate…
Last night, the Lehman Theatre in Miami hosted a vibrant art exhibition featuring works by Theophile Jadotte (Theo), renowned primarily for his musical talents but now gaining recognition in the art world. The event, a delightful blend of art, music, and dance, attracted a diverse crowd including Haitians, Cubans, Americans, Jamaicans, and Africans. The exhibition showcased Theo’s preference for abstract painting, particularly in the “Saint-Soley” style, revealing his versatility and depth as an artist. Attendees were notably impressed by his artistic prowess, having known him mainly as a musician. The night was further enriched by an ethnic dance performance led…
Noel & Cecibon Productions Miami, Florida – May 22, 2008 – As we continue to wrap up all loose ends with the 10th Annual Haitian Compas Festival, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all individuals who participated in making this event a success. We would like to specifically recognize the fans in the community that remained persistent in their love for compas and attended, if not all the festivals, most of the Compas Festivals over the past decade. As we’ve marked a decade committed to keeping Haitian culture and music alive and strong, we walk into another…
Hangout Management and Band Members would like to thank the fans, the media, and the general public for the continuing support. Last week, the news hit that our guitarist, Mackenson St Fleur, had to go into an emergency surgery in order to save him from a life-threatening condition. We are happy to say that he is now recovering and will be back with us very soon. Meanwhile, the talented Elie Lapointe will be replacing him until his return. The band is working hard to put on an unforgettable show this weekend at the Compas Festival on Saturday and at the…