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It’s no secret that in the Haitian music industry, many media personalities play favorites. We’ve known this for years. We’ve seen it. Some of us have even experienced it firsthand. But lately, the favoritism has grown louder, bolder, and harder to ignore.
I don’t need to rattle off a laundry list of names and every petty situation. That’s not the point. The point is this: there’s a pattern, and it’s one that’s shaping how our industry operates. Having been in the business for a while, I’ve observed how some of the biggest bands build alliances with certain media outlets or personalities. And let’s be honest, alliances aren’t inherently bad. Think about it: TMZ thrives on covering the Kardashians. The Kardashians generate clicks, and TMZ reaps the benefits. It’s a mutually beneficial machine. But here’s the problem: where do we draw the line?
We’ve all seen examples in American pop culture where media stops being media and becomes a cheerleading squad. TMZ defending every Kardashian move, no matter how ridiculous. Or Beyoncé’s BeyHive, those fanatics who swarm anyone with the audacity to critique their queen, even with facts. And yes, some so-called journalists willingly join the hive.
Sound familiar? It should, because the Haitian music industry isn’t much different. Right now, the bands with the loudest “goon squads” are Klass, Nu-Look, and T-Vice. These groups aren’t just backed by devoted fans, but by media figures who will defend them at any cost, right or wrong. And let’s not fool ourselves: most of those defenders have personal interests tied to the bands.
The hypocrisy is glaring. Many of these media voices claim they’re “here for the music” or “here to push the culture.” Really? Because you can’t push the culture forward when you’re busy anointing one band as superior to another just because it suits your interests. You can’t wear the hat of a journalist while playing the role of a promoter. Play your position.
This industry already has too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Too many egos and not enough honesty. Some people were born for this work; others are simply chasing clout. Whichever camp you fall into, know this: the Haitian music industry is fragile. It’s a delicate flower that deserves nurturing, not weeds choking its growth.
So the question isn’t whether media has favorites—we know they do. The question is whether they can put their preferences aside long enough to protect the integrity of the HMI.
