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Gary Diedier Perez is a Haitian singer, songwriter, and musician best known as one of the original members of the legendary band Zenglen. With his soulful voice and stage presence, he helped shape the group’s early success, including fan favorites such as “Fidel.” After leaving Zenglen, Perez went on to form his own band, O Zone, while also pursuing his studies and personal projects. Though he stepped out of the mainstream spotlight for a few years, his influence in the Haitian Music Industry (HMI) has remained strong, and his return is highly anticipated.
He’s been busy in the studio working on his upcoming album, but he granted OpaMizik.com the opportunity for a one-on-one sit-down interview.
Cheyna: Hello, Gary. I must tell you how happy I am to have the opportunity to interview you. I grew up listening to your music. Your song “Fidel” is one of my all-time favorites.
Gary: Hi, Cheyna. Thank you.
Cheyna: Gary, I have to ask… Is Gary Diedier Perez your real name?
Gary: (laughing) Yes, it is my real name.
Cheyna: I know you haven’t been very active in the HMI in recent years. After leaving Zenglen you formed another band, but you’ve kept a low profile. During that time, what did you do and what did you miss most about the HMI?
Gary: The band is called O Zone. We weren’t as active as we would have liked at the time, but we’re still together working on our next album. What I missed most about the industry was the stage and, most importantly, my fans. Any professional artist or musician would feel the same way. It’s not easy staying away from the limelight.
Cheyna: What did you do during your hiatus?
Gary: I was in Haiti for the most part. After that I left for Florida, where I studied Computer Science and earned a degree. While I was there, my brother Alix passed away, so I moved back to New York to be closer to my family.
Cheyna: Sorry for your loss.
Gary: Thank you.
Cheyna: What led to the breakup of the original Zenglen? And did you part ways on good terms?
Gary: I’ve always appreciated Zenglen. I never had a personal problem with the band members. It was more about how the band was being managed. The guys are cool and we’re still friends. I don’t want to go into further detail about the situation beyond that.
Cheyna: So management was the reason the original Zenglen fell apart?
Gary: (laughing) Cheyna, I just told you I didn’t want to go into that.
Cheyna: (smiling) OK, fair enough. Next question. What do you think of the new Zenglen?
Gary: They’re great. They keep reinventing themselves in a positive way. They don’t let anything hold them back.
Cheyna: What do you think of Gracia, Frero, and Reginald?
Gary: They’re different singers, very versatile, talented, charming on stage, and they know how to capture a crowd.
Cheyna: There was a rumor that when you attended a Zenglen show during Gracia’s time as lead singer, he invited you on stage to perform “Fidel.” But when you got up there, you supposedly forgot the lyrics. Is this true?
Gary: (laughing) I wrote those lyrics. How could I forget them? Gracia invited me on stage many times. Every time I went to a Zenglen show, he would call me up to sing with him, or sometimes he’d let me perform the song alone. So, no, that rumor never happened.
Cheyna: It’s been reported that you fell on hard times during your absence from the HMI. Is that true?
Gary: I was never rich. The HMI can’t make you rich unless you have other businesses on the side. The only riches the HMI gives are the appreciation and love from fans. When they don’t see you for a while, they tell you they’d like to see you back, and that’s priceless. I never fell on hard times. I’ve been living within my means.
Cheyna: During your time away, there were also rumors that you were depressed and turned to alcohol or drugs. Any truth to that?
Gary: When you’re not in the spotlight, people always want to know what’s going on. If they don’t have the facts, they make things up. I don’t do drugs. Yes, I drink socially, but I’ve never reached the stage of being an alcoholic or a drug addict.
Cheyna: You lost a lot of weight. How did you do it?
Gary: The old-fashioned way, I exercised and changed my diet. I became more conscious of what I put into my body.
Cheyna: So how’s your health today?
Gary: My health is very good, thank God.
Cheyna: Do you ever feel unappreciated by your peers or fans?
Gary: Not at all. On the contrary, it’s quite the opposite.
Cheyna: You sing about “Tanbou” and objects close to voodoo. Do you practice it as a religion, and is that why you bring it into your music?
Gary: My music is cultural. We’re Haitians, and voodoo is part of our culture.
Cheyna: Do you believe in voodoo?
Gary: I believe in its healing aspects.
Cheyna: Let’s go back a bit. How did you first get started in the music business?
Gary: I was part of a church group called “12 Apôtres.” Then I met some of the greatest musicians of our time who asked me to perform with them. I auditioned for DP Express and Scorpio, among others. They asked me to sing with their bands, and one performance turned into two, and so on. I also worked with Papash’s Ralph Condé, Wydens, Joe Dure, Patrick Martino, and many more. Honestly, I can’t pinpoint exactly when I started in the industry. When I joined Zenglen, I remember my mother wanted me to go to college, but I insisted on forming a band and making music. I was lucky Zenglen took off at the time, because my mother would not have let me hear the end of it if it hadn’t worked out.
Cheyna: What are you working on in the studio now?
Gary: I’m currently working on an album that will include 11 songs. You know the process, create the music, present it to a producer, and the rest is up to the fans.
Cheyna: Have you found a producer yet?
Gary: We’re in talks, but nothing is final yet.
Cheyna: Will I get to hear some of what you’re working on soon?
Gary: Of course.
Cheyna: Where are you with O Zone now?
Gary: We’re still together. The band members are young, some under 25, and some are still in school, which makes things difficult. But we’re still in the studio working.
Cheyna: Have they released any albums?
Gary: Yes. They’ve released two albums. The first was Rache Pikan 2 – Klere, and coming soon is Vayage.
Cheyna: Where are you and the band members currently based?
Gary: New York.
Cheyna: Who’s your favorite band today?
Gary: O Zone.
Cheyna: Is that your final answer? (laughing)
Gary: (laughing) Yes!
Cheyna: What do you think of the industry today compared to ten years ago? Has it advanced?
Gary: Yes, it has. It’s more profitable, musicians are more accepted, and promotions have improved.
Cheyna: What has gotten worse or stayed the same?
Gary: The quality of the music has gone down. Producers don’t focus enough on talent anymore. What has stayed the same is the number of producers in the business. We need more.
Cheyna: What can we expect from the new album?
Gary: I’ve grown a lot as an artist. I’m more mature and have a better understanding of the business. This time I’ll have a better approach. The album is called Vayage and will feature 11 songs, including Melissa, Ou Pa, Marilngo, Vérité, and 200 Ans.
Cheyna: One of our members, Inkonu, asked about you. I rushed this interview partly for him. You’re a hard artist to track down for an interview. Is there anything you’d like to say to him?
Gary: Inkonu, it’s fans like you that make me work harder and keep my faith in the industry. Thank you very much. When the album comes out, you’ll receive a special copy personally from me.
Cheyna: Thank you, Gary, for sitting with us. I wish you all the luck in the world with your upcoming project. Don’t forget to keep us posted on your progress, and remember we’re holding you to your promise of sending us a song.
Gary: You’re very welcome, Cheyna. Don’t worry, you’ll get the single.
