This year marks the 228th anniversary of the ceremony of Bwa Kayiman, where a secret voodoo ceremony was held deep in the woods of Cap Haitien (north of Haïti), on August 14, 1791. Presided by Dutty Boukman (Jamaica-born, voodoo priest and Imam) and Cecile Fatima, it was considered to be the official starting point of the Haitian Revolution, although there were previous rebellions held on the island prior to it. Others such as Georges Biassou, Jean F. Papillon and Jeannot Bullet were leaders of the early revolution who were also attending this ceremony. This voodoo ceremony sparked the Haitian Revolution which led to the birth of the first black independent nation and slaves to freedom.
–
Cette année marque le 228e anniversaire de la cérémonie du Bois Caïman, là où eu lieu une cérémonie vaudou secrète au fond d’une forêt dense du Cap Haïtien (nord d’Haïti), le 14 août 1791. Présidé par Dutty Boukman (Esclave éduqué et prêtre vaudou né en Jamaïque) et Cécile Fatima, cette cérémonie est considérée comme le moment qui  déclancha la révolution Haïtienne, toutefois, il y eu d’autres rébellions sur l’île auparavant. Parmi les gens qui étaient présent, Georges Biassou, Jean F. Papillon et Jeannot Bullet, de la première révolution qui assistaient également à cette cérémonie. Cette cérémonie vaudou a déclenché la révolution haïtienne qui a donné naissance à la première nation indépendante noire et esclave de la liberté.
–
Ane sa a make 228yèm anivèsè seremoni Bwa Kayiman, kote yo te fè yon seremoni vodou sekrè nan fon bwa Okap (nan nò Ayiti) nan dat 14 dawout 1791. Prezide pa Dutty Boukman, yon prèt vodou, ak Iman ki te edike) ak Cecile Fatima, seremoni a te konsidere kòm komansman revolisyon ayisyen an, men te gen rebelyon sou zile a anvan. Georges Biassou, Jean F. Papillon ak Jeannot Bullet te lidè premye revolisyon an ki te asiste seremoni sa a tou. Seremoni vodou sa a te deklannche revolisyon ayisyen an ki te bay premye nasyon endepandan nwa e esklav lib.
–
#haiti #boiscaiman #bwakayiman #ceremony #voodoo #vaudou #vodou #africa #1791 #1804 #boukman #jamaica #fatima #cecilefatima #biassou #caphaitien #okap #saintdomingue #imam #haitianrevolution #revolution

Hundreds of Haitian celebrities gathered at The Westin Diplomat Hotel on Hollywood Beach for the HMI Music Awards, an initiative by entertainment entrepreneur Miss Boss Entertainment. Parker’s Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale had been advertised as the venue for the ceremony, but on the day of the show, the location changed to the beachside venue.

The awards show was highly publicized on social media, and offline with a billboard in a prime location in Fort Lauderdale.

Let’s take a look at how things went down.

Songwriter-producer Power Surge being interviewed on the Red Carpet. Power Serge has worked with many groups and artists int he Haitian music industry, including T-Vice.

Two glamorous guests who came to show support for their favorite artists. Photo Credit: Rossini Dubois Photography

The fellas were really bold in their fashion choices. Here is Timber G, with a member of his entourage. Bold prints for men were certainly in vogue during the evening.

This artist decided to wear a suede jacket, accentuated with black slacks. Photo Via: Ayimagnews

Another suede jacket—and a purple one at that–worn by one of the members of the band KZino! A fashion tribute to the late Prince? His counterpart donned somber gray, with a silk tie and navy blue undershirt.

Rapper Izolan accepted his award from a presenter wearing a strapless, sparkling gold slip dress. The rapper sported a navy blue suit, with a braided belt, with pants that were not quite settled on his waist, as if to say, “I’m dressing respectably, but don’t forget I’m a rapper!” His watch glistened in the evening, and what a bowtie! Probably one of the best-dressed of the night.

Girl power! Rappers Shassy and Princess Eud posed for a photo in the lobby. Photo via Apache Production.

Here’s Princess Eud again with fellow rapper Ded Kra-Z and another guest.

This group known as Zatrap decided to wear identical outfits. Style coordination. Photo via SawPanse.

A rapper known as KowKow probably could get the award for stand-out outfit of the evening. Here he is sitting in the audience with his wife. He donned an all-black, parka outfit. Photo Credit: Rossini Dubois Photography.

Haiti-based singer Miu with Mad Max Money Talk.

Here is the KowKow dude again, posing with Miu. Man, this KowKow dude wasn’t playing that night. And look at those golden galoshes. King Midas must have given him the Golden Touch!

And look at singer Meilan, looking super-glamorous in a sweeping, fringed white gown and a Josephine Baker-inspired slick-back hairstyle.

Singer Queen Bee flew in from Port-au-Prince, to give Fort Lauderdale this regal royal blue look that evoked the glamour era of 1950s Hollywood. Photo via Apache Production. A few months ago, the lead singer from Kreyol La T-Djo Zenny played her leading man in the music video for her song “Le’m We’w”.

Blue was definitely one of the most popular colors of the night. Here’s lead singer Emmery from the group Karizma. The band recently released a music video for their song “Debouche’m”.

Here’s singer Mikaben, letting out a slight smile at the awards ceremony. He wore a formal jacket over a white shirt, and sported jeans. His fans are expecting his next album to be on fire, not only music-wise, but marketing-reach-wise, as back in August, the singer-songwriter-producer publicly announced a long-term distribution deal with music label behemoth Warner Music France for four albums. Photo Credit: Rossini Dubois Photography.

A media personality from Haiti posed for a photo. Her off-white clutch and bracelet are the perfect accessories for her sleeveless black gown.

Members of Haiti’s legendary group Boukman Eksperyans pose with Jeneral Killa.

Music video director Robenson Lauvince, alias Roby Rob accepted his award for Music Video Director of the Year. He was nominated in the category with colleagues like Abdias Laguerre, Smitty the Producer.

Miss Boss Entertainment, the woman of the hour.

So, there you have it folks, the HMI Music Awards red carpet and ceremony rundown from your favorite chick Kreyolicious!

Here is a partial list of the HMI Music Awards winners:

Rap Album of the Year: Wendy, Indetronable

Music Video Director of the Year: Robenson Lauvince

Female Artist of the Year: Rutshelle

Rapper of the Year: Wendyyy

Konpa/Rap Collabo of the Year: Wendyyy and JBeatz

Lead Vocalist of the Year: Flav

Male Artist of the Year: Fantom

New Artist of the Year: Toby

Upcoming DJ of the Year: DJ BMixx

Rap Group of the Year: SAL

Shout out to Miss Boss Entertainment for coming up with this HMI Music Awards initiative to honor Haiti’s artists. Am certain she has taken notes of everything—including post-ceremony HMI Music Awards feedback from the nominees, the media, and the general public—and will come back even stronger next year!