There are DJs who hit on the profession quite accidentally. They filled in for someone and decided it was for them, and so on. And what of DJ Rad, one of New York’s finest? His love for deejaying actually started with a classic movie. “I got started by watching Beat Street the movie as a child,” he recalls. “Ever since then, I was amazed at the scratching sounds and the way the dh’s mixed the music…From then on, I was hooked.”

Growing up in Jamaica Queens, New York—in the Laurelton section—the little boy who would grow up to be DJ Rad, watched and idolized such musical greats as Jam Master J from Run DMC. Oh, and it also helped that he didn’t have to go far to get his DJ groove on. “My father’s friend had a DJ set,” DJ Rad remembers. “I used to sneak and practice what I saw on TV and heard on the radio.”

With all that practice, it was only a matter of time before he got pretty deft at the craft. “I got really good at mixing,” he says, “but was amazed to see deejays battling and doing tricks, so I practiced and practiced for years—until my skills were good enough to battle other DJs I used to idolize.” Those turntable masters he refers to are Jazzy Jeff, DJ Cash Money, Stevie D and DJ Scratch. “I got a rep around my area,” he remembers. “I was into the battle thing heavy, and blending R&B records with hip-hop beats. From there it was on.”

Indeed, it was “on”—on as in working with major labels like Atlantic Records, Uptown-MCA records at live events and producing demos for such artists as 50 Cent. The DJ mogul has had his musical projects released in places like Switzerland, France, Japan, Germany, as well as Sweden. A track he produced—“A Tear for The Ghetto” on the independent label Freeze Records—was released in Europe and earned gold status.

As part of the producing-DJ team The Triple Beam Team, Rad produced “High All The Time” for 50 Cent on the classic rap album Get Rich or Die Tryin’. He’s also produced Infamous Mobb, Dark Lo from O.B.H., Riot Squad Member Cau2Gz, Jadakiss (“Blasting Off”), and NorthStarr. He’s made beats for Lakey The Kid—the protégée of rapper Nas—and was the main producer of the compilations Miami Hip Hop Uncensored Part 1 and Part 2, Welcome 2 Miami.

Kreyolicious: Is there a story behind how you chose your DJ name?

Its part of my real name—Conrad. My friends called me Rad for years, so I just stuck with it… I had a few names coming up DJ Maestro, DJ Nestle Qwick, and DJ Rad…aka Radnificent. I got that from DJ Jazzy Jeff. He was known as The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff. I just called myself Radnificent. I kept it for my DJ name and my producer name [which is] also DJ Rad.

Kreyolicious: What are some of your favorite records…the ones that you feel are indispensable for a successful event?

Some of my fave records are “The Show” By Dougie Fresh and Slick Rick, “Get At Me Dog” by DMX, “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G., “Made You Look” by Nas, and “Give it To Me” by Jay Z.

Right: DJ Rad hanging out with reggae star Elephant Man.

Kreyolicious: Say you’re hired for an event. How do you determine what you’ll play?

It all depends on the crowd the promoter is used to having at his or her venue. If it’s an older crowd, I know I have to have a good portion of late 80s, 90s and early 2000 songs with some dated music added in. If it’s a crowd that is mixed, then I know to have a little bit of everything to please the crowd…

Kreyolicious: What are your parent’s thought on your profession?

My father was always a supporter. He used to buy me all my records when I was young and first starting [out]. He bought me my DJ equipment. He is a big lover of music. My mother—also. They were skeptical at first, but when my father gave me a message one day saying this record company called and said, “Meet the artists at the airport. You’re going to Switzerland”—that’s when it hit them like…damn…okay—this is real.

Kreyolicious: Do they ever come to your shows?

No. They are not into the hip-hop shows. They like what they see on TV and hear on the radio. [Laughter] You know old school Haitian parents…twòp bidip bidip nan tèt mwen. [Laughter]

Kreyolicious: How do you stay linked to Haitian culture?

I stay linked to Haitian culture through family my cousins. I do my research and also go back and dig in the crates of my parents and other family members music and films and tv shows. but i follow a lot of outlets. I grew up watching [shows called] Languichatte, Les Gens D’ici and other shows. I listened to Tabou Combo, DP Express, Scorpio, Coupe Cloue, coupe cloue bossa combo ti mano all the way to Zin, Boukman Eksperyans, Djakout, Carimi…Sweet Mickey. I haven’t been to Haiti in a while, but it’s long overdue. I would like to go there and share my experiences of this hip-hop culture with the people in Haiti [since] I grew up around a lot of rappers, producers, actors, directors, record execs and singers in Queens. And also, [I’d like to] teach deejaying and music production…

Left: Chillaxin’ with rap scribe and music legend Nas.

Kreyolicious: That’s a great plan…What would you say has been the best moment of your deejaying life?

The best moment was when I was picked up to be the tour DJ and resident DJ for the rap group The Group Home from the Gang Starr Foundation. We traveled all over Asia and Europe…that was the first time I got to experience performing in front of thousands…

Kreyolicious: Wow…If an aspiring DJ was sitting across from you right now, and humbly asked you for advice on how to proceed with a career as a DJ, you would say…

[I’d say to] be original. Do a lot of research on the deejays that came before him…or her. Also, really study the art ’cause it’s an art form—whether you’re a battle party DJ or mixtape DJ. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. Learn by watching—and incorporate it in your original routines. And most importantly, be original and keep an open mind to music. Listen and collect all genres of music…

Kreyolicious: Deejays can be unpredictable on the turntables. But they can be calculated when they’re not on them. What should we expect from you?

When I’m behind the turntables or beat machine in the studio, always expect good energy…’cause I’m like the wind. You can’t see me, but you sure can feel me.

[All images provided by subject.]

DJ RAD ON SOUNDCLOUD| DJ RAD ON TWITTER | DJ RAD ON INSTAGRAM

Singer-dancer-performer Saïda knows a thing or two about looking stylish. Here she is with some majestic spirals toppling her head. Smokey eyes, blushed cheeks, with a touch of lip gloss complete this look. Check out more looks from Saïda!

This is probably the most casual we’ve seen her yet. A playful baseball cap sits on her head. Her outfit is simple but elaborate: a white, body-hugging tank top, silver accessories, including a sterling-colored chain and bangles, and a silver-accented black belt that hangs below the waist, with some laid-back sneakers.

Here she combines two personas: the sexy kitten and the career woman in wearing a silky dress but whose skirt length is above the knees…way above the knees, toppled by a provocative pose. The makeup is very understated, and the earth-toned necklace oversized. Check out her heels. She can basically go from casual to formal wit this outfit. Behold that inviting pout gentlemen. At this point, it’s quite apparent that brightness becomes her. The brighter the color, the more dynamic she looks. The scarlet reds from the looks above, to the bright orange from this look.

This look makes great use of make-up. With her make-up, you know it’s there, but it’s not so blunt that she looks like some pancake. This all-black look gives Saïda a certain mystery, but a sexy flair for sure. A bamboo bracelet matches perfectly with the wood-colored broach on her black top.

All my kreyolicious boys and girls…what do you think of these looks?

From having her song “Your Love” featured on the Meagan Good and Tamara Bass-produced web series “All that Matters” to performing at the prestigious Jazz in the Gardens in Miami to rocking the Overtown Music and Arts festival, things are looking higher than up for Charline Murphy, the singer known as LaVie. Born and raised in Miami, the daughter of Haitian parents has a soulful voice that few with good sense would not stop to listen to. Who can she be compared to? Corinne Bailey? Jill Scott? Regina Belle?

In the song “Alive”, her voice is definitely Regina Belle-ish. She twirls her tongues and pulverizes that melody and those lyrics. When she’s performing live, on a stage, her passion is as obvious as her singing talent. Whether she’s sporting tomato-red hair or good-weather-blue hair, her voice is consistently refreshing.

She has a special message in the song “Human”, which she croons alongside fellow singers Kristine Alicia and Giel. “When you’re looking at me/You’re looking at right at you,” goes the lyrics. “The color of my skin doesn’t make me worst/The color of your skin doesn’t make give you extra worth.” So kumbaya.

Kreyolicious: How you did you get started off singing?

I have always loved music.

Kreyolicious: Your name is LaVie. That’s like “Life”. Why that name?

As a young girl, I didn’t value life. I remember attempting suicide by taking a bottle of pills and waking up the next day upset with God. After a while, I met my first mentor Amelia Scott and she helped me to change my perception on life and myself.

Kreyolicious: I really like how you wear your hair—short and blue. Have you always been this bold in terms of your personal fashion style?

I’ve always been a “rebel” meaning I’ve always done what i felt. I used to get in trouble with my mom a lot for that. [Laughter] I believe there is no one like me and no one can be a better me than me so I’m just me.

Kreyolicious: Who has influenced you vocal-wise?

Jill Scott and Ella Fitz Gerald are my faves.

Kreyolicious: Do you compose your own songs?

Yes, my husband Stephane Murphy work together. He produces and we write together.

Kreyolicious: Girl, do you visit Haiti?

Yes. My husband took me last year for my birthday. It was amazing. I plan on going again [this year].

Kreyolicious: What do your peoples think about your pursuing a musical career?

My mother thought it was not a real career at first, but after hearing my first CD Life Music she had a change of heart.

Kreyolicious: Will your fans be getting an album from you soon? Or at least an EP?

Yes. I am currently working on two projects “The Island Girl EP” and “The Love Story” I don’t have a release date as of yet, but I’m working on it diligently.

[Photography Credit: Lottashots]

CLICK HERE TO VISIT LAVIE’S WEBSITE | LAVIE MUSIC ON INSTAGRAM

Sophia Désir is a woman who’s in a class all by herself. In the early 2000s, Désir became the first woman in Haiti in more than a decade to have her own radio series. “Vanités, Intrigues, Passion”—or VIP as it was called—with its juicy plots and subplots concentrated on the inner going-ons of Haiti’s corporate and social elite. More importantly though, the show captivated audiences and garnered addicts, among Haitians in Haiti who were ravenous for original entertainment. At the show’s center was Martine Delarue (voiced by Désir herself), an overtly ambitious woman who’s navigating Haiti’s patriarch-dominated society and an assorted bunch of high class society women from the suburbs of Haiti, who are part of Delarue’s circle.

After a hugely successful run, as well as a movie version (co-starring Sandra Lobir, Nadine Stephenson, Smoye Noisy, Réginald Lubin, and the late Farah Ménard) Désir and her co-stars took a final bow in the mid-2000s. The actress-dramatist-screenwriter, who left Haiti for Canada shortly after, filmed a movie entitled Minuit while living in in Montreal. Désir says that she’s never stopped dreaming of her island, nor has she stopped writing (she’s working on a novel that she hopes to publish by next year).

As one of the few women scriptwriters in Haiti, you wrote “Vanités, Intrigues, Passions”, for radio. Please discuss how you were inspired to write out the characters, bringing together the radio version, and adapting it for the screen.
Well…as a teenager, I was a huge fan of “Woye les Voila”[ a radio soap opera] written by Mona Guerin. I started to dream about participating one day in a project like this. In fact, I created my first radio series “Pile ou Face” at 17-18 years old. About 20 episodes had been broadcasted. The show stopped because of a few problems. But I kept dreaming. Then, one day, I started working at Radio Métropole [a radio station in Haiti].

I was in contact with all those actors I used to admire. I was close to making my dream come true. Then, I dared to ask them to join me in a project and they did. So VIP became real. I read a lot of novels and followed numerous American soap operas. Also, I have always been observing Haitian society. I guess all that had influenced me while I was creating the characters of VIP. During the first season, the fans of VIP were asking for a TV version. We did not have the means to do so. But Réginald Lubin suggested we produce a movie. It was a challenge for him as a director and actor. To adapt the show for the screen, two actresses had to change their roles. There was no way Nadine Stephenson who plays Melissa—my daughter—at the radio show could do the same in the movie. So she became Elisabeth. And Sandra Lobir, Roxane in the radio [version] is Laura in the movie.

At 17-18 years of age? How did you ever manage to get your show on the radio?
Even though I was pretty young, it was not very difficult for me. I conceived the show and wrote the dialogs using an old typewriter. (I did not have a computer at that time) Then I did a kind of casting, asking my friends to join the project. I even convinced one of my teachers to play a role. Then we talked to the priest who was in charge of the radio station—RMK—to have the show broadcasted. And it was on the air…Sincerely, I can’t remember all the details. It has been a while.

What was the response to your first radio show?
I would say interesting. My classmates, some of my teachers, my friends, everyone had a comment on one episode or another. Once, a teacher called me to congratulate me after an episode he had just listened to. Another time, another teacher advised me not to neglect my studies because of the show…That means they were listening to the show.

You starred in a movie called Minuit.
I did. I also wrote the script. I had the script and Fabienne Colas wanted to direct the project. So, we worked together in Montreal.

Can you please discuss Minuit in more elaborate details?
You know, when you create a story, you want…you need to share with the public. This sometimes leads you to accept things you’d rather avoid. In Minuit, the director changed the story I wrote. The story has lost its essence…From this point of view, I was not satisfied with the final product. But technically, it was much better. Fabienne Colas did her best with very limited resources. Let’s say it was an experience like any other. With good and bad memories…

Was it difficult being an actress in a country like Haiti?
I don’t consider myself an actress. I did play a role in those two movies but for me, it was more like having fun among friends. If someone expects to earn a living by being an actor, it is damn hard. The majority of the actors I know in Haiti earn almost nothing for their work.

What of the current state of Haitian cinema?
I have not seen any new Haitian movie recently. But I read and I heard things are pretty slow. I even heard that [the] Haitian movie[industry] has died. I do not think so. However, we have to admit there is a lot to do in order to make our productions more professionals. We need training, money…etc.

As a writer, is there a book that has had a big impression on you?
I was very impressed by The Autobiography of Malcolm X—as told to Alex Haley. Malcolm X said, “People don’t realize how a man’s whole life can be changed by one book.” This book did not change my life, but it changed my opinion on Malcolm X. One thing that makes me angry is injustice. And though I am against any form of violence, I had to agree with him when he says “Sometimes you have to pick the gun up to put the gun down”. A controversial human being, this man!

There’s Sophia Désir, the public woman; there’s Sophia Désir, the private woman.
I grew up in Les Cayes, in the south of Haiti, with 2 sisters and 1 brother. I am the youngest of my family but I was not spoiled. My childhood was very simple. I was very talkative at school. I was very active as a teenager and created with friends a socio-cultural group (Éclair) and an entertainment group (Galaxie). We organized several activities in the city. I enjoy writing, reading, dancing, watching TV…I hate the smoke of cigarettes and physical activities. Do not ask me to exercise one hour a day. Not for me.

Who do you credit for making you the person you are today?
My parents for sure, and also myself. They gave me the best they could. But I had to work a bit to make myself a little place in society. I am also thankful to some people I met in my life—boss, colleagues, friends, sponsors—who believed in me and therefore supported me in some projects.

What are your hopes and inspirations for the future?
I would like to see Haiti taking definitely the path of development. I want to see the new Haiti we are all dreaming about. On a personal level, I would like to be able to create much more.

In the movie Vanités, Intrigues, Passions, your character Martine Delarue a career woman gives up her corporate-climbing ways for a simple life as a housewife. Please comment on this. Is this your own view of life? Do you think some feminists might find this disturbing?
Well…To me, Martine Delarue is a woman who is torn between her job and her family. Sometimes, she gives the priority to her job and some other times she prefers her family. My view of life? I think we are free to choose what makes us happy. Family, job, whatever…As the author of VIP, what I wanted to show is the fact that sometimes, we have difficulty in choosing. Martine Delarue adores her family and she is passionate about her job. I do not see why some feminist would find this disturbing, VIP is a fiction. Come on!

Do you consider yourself a feminist?
Depending on the meaning you want to give to that word. If it is a movement that targets the end of oppression or discrimination against women, yes I am. If being a feminist means acting as an emancipated person, yes I am. If it means being independent, I sure am. I want to have the same job [as] a man as long as I have the same [qualifications]. I want to have the same salary as a man, as long as I am doing the same job and giving the same results. I want to decide my life as long as I am in charge of my life.

But I am sick of the speech of lots of women who claim their feminism and at the same time are living as parasites on men’s charge. They are feminist but they let men hit them or decide in their place. It is one thing to stay you want equality, but it is another one to prove you deserve it. I strongly refuse to be associated to that kind of feminists. Yes, I believe men and women should be equal before the law. I believe we have the same intellectual capacities. But above all, I think that men and women are different and should not be afraid of the differences. I like to say to my friends I enjoy being a woman. And I am not going to refuse to have a man open a door for me.

You’re living in Canada for the moment. Are you thinking of returning to Haiti eventually?
Actually, I recently moved from Canada to Mexico. If you had asked me the same question a few months ago, I would have answered I want to move but I did not know where. A door has been opened [for me] in Mexico and I took it. I am trying to catch the opportunities life is offering me. For the moment, it is not in my plan to go back to Haiti but things change so quickly. I am not closing the door…One thing for sure, I love Haiti. This is where I found my inspiration for all I am creating.

What actors and directors do you hope to work with in the future?
If you allow me to dream, I would be proud to work with Denzel Washington. But realistically I would enjoy working once again with Reginald Lubin. He is such a talented guy. We get along so well.

When you’re not acting, or writing, what do you like to do?
I enjoy working. I can work round the clock. I also enjoy hanging out with friends. But when I am home, I am addicted to TV. Shame on me, I do not read as much as I should.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE HAITIAN CINEMA ARTICLES

In Kreyolicious’ relentless efforts to acquaint you with up-and-coming artists, we’d like to present you today with BaskerBen, a musical artist who’s based in Jacksonville.

K. St. Fort: Tell us about yourself.

My name is Kervens B. Bastien. I was born and raised in Haiti. Moved to the USA in 2006, and I’ve been living here since.

K. St. Fort: How long have you been doing music?

I’ve been doing music for as long as I can remember, but it was just for fun. It wasn’t until around 2010 that I decided to let it be public.

K. St. Fort: How did you get the name Baskerben?

I came up with the name when I was creating my very first email address. It’s a combination of my full name. Last, first and middle name: Bastien Kervens Benjamin

K. St. Fort: Can you recall your first performance?

The first time I ever performed in front of a big crowd was at my older brother’s wedding back in 2006. I got so nervous, I forgot the words. But I was creative enough to come up with my own words. The downside of that is the song was a popular song which everyone knew. So they knew I was messing up.
It was quite embarrassing.

K. St. Fort: What’s it like in the studio?

The studio is my favorite spot. I mostly work with my main producer who’s also my cousin, Spencer Brutus. Whenever we’re in the lab, it’s like magic. He’s really good with melodies and I do my thing with words. So together, we just make magic.

K. St. Fort: Who are your main inspirations?

Growing up, R.Kelly used to be my favorite singer. I’ve always wanted to sing instead of rap, but rap just kind of grew on me and once I started doing it, I fell in love with it. To answer your question I love music, I listen to all type of music but I don’t have anyone that I consider my main inspiration.

K. St. Fort: What is the music scene like right now in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville is where I live, so music scene over here still on rise as far as Haitians are concerned. If I’m not mistaken, I think it’s only two of us doing it publicly—myself and another talented konpa singer. But if we’re talking about the US in general, I’ve only performed in a few other cities thus far; such as Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. People seems to love what I do and they always ask for more.

K. St. Fort: What are your musical plans for the future?

I love making music and I will continue to do so regardless for as long as I can. Right now we’re still at the start. I have my debut album Different Approach. It’s a blend of zouk, rap and konpa. I also have the album release concert on July 26th 2014 in Jacksonville, FL. For the future, I’m just looking forward to see how far I can push this movement.

BaskerBen’s On Soundcloud | Buy His Music On iTunes | Connect With the Artist On Facebook |