Haiti’s beauty queens have been many, Claudinette Fouchard, Gerthie David, Evelyne Miot, Marie-Edith Vaval, Sarodj Bertin and now Anedie Azael. Azael edged out several contestants to represent Haiti in Brazil last summer at the Miss Universe pageant, and life won’t stop there. Haiti Miss Universe has big plans for herself, thank you very much. Azael, who was born in Haiti and left the country in 2004 to further pursue her studies in South Florida, has been everywhere (or so it would seem) since her crowning.

The beauty pageant wasn’t her first foray into the fashion and beauty world. She was signed as a model to an agency in Miami and with her nearly 5’10 frame, she worked the runway and was featured in several print campaigns for different brands.

It’s been more than 5 decades since Fouchard was Miss Haiti, Miss Sugar Cane—among other pageant honors, and more opportunities have presented themselves for Haiti’s beauty queens. Anedie is mining them all, kicking all the tires. She’s undoubtedly grateful for all those who paved the way for her, but she’s blazing her own path. She’s her own woman.

Q&A
Tell us about Anedie, the real Anedie.
Well what can I say about the real me? I love to laugh, have a good time, and help others in need. I also recently developed a passion for cooking. I am all about doing things right with perfection. I am a great listener, a loyal friend. The rest of me stays as a mystery.

How have you been enjoying your journey as Miss Haiti thus far?
Being Miss Haiti has been a challenge as there is no real organization of “Miss Haiti” that supports and helps me. So I have been doing everything on my own. Besides that it has been great, as I’ve been able to speak to young girls to motivate them as well as develop their self-esteem. Also, I’ve had some doors open for me in Haiti to do some projects.

How did you first learn of the Miss Haiti pageant, and did you think you had a chance?
I learned about it from the previous Miss Haiti Universe. I always thought I had a chance because it has always been my passion to represent my country on every level, and staying positive and confident is the only way.

Do you have any advice for the person who’s going to be taking over your crown?
All I have to say is enjoy your year as a Queen to the fullest, especially the three weeks at Miss Universe competition as these memories will last a lifetime. Also have a passion in life besides the beauty world. Believe in a cause, in a change, advocate it and start the change.

And once you’ve turned your tiara over, what are your plans?
When I turn my crown to the next Miss Haiti, my plans continues with my non-profit organization Peace Love International and my campaign Ayiti N’Ap Mache. I plan on having a TV Show in Haiti about fashion and the beauty world and also I plan to have a boutique for men and women in Haiti. I also plan to continue with my modeling life as I stopped since Miss Haiti.

Who do you admire the most?
I really admire Mahatma Gandhi for his non-violence tactics to achieve freedom and independence in India, in hope that one day we will have world peace.

Given the proper clothes and suitable makeup, can a girl be made beautiful?
I believe that it is the inner beauty that always shines through. A girl is “beautiful” through her actions, personality, humility and poise. The clothes and make-up are just extras, for the outer beauty.

You’re heavily involved in the campaign to help restore Haiti’s place on the tourism map.
I think that Haiti, once known as the Pearl of the Antilles, needs to be marketed better. Haiti is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and I’m not saying this because I am from here, but I’ve traveled to many places and never I can’t compare the beauty of Haiti to anywhere in the world. Therefore, one of my missions is to change the image of Haiti throughout the world and my strategy of doing so is to invite the most beautiful women of the world and the ambassadors of other countries to visit my home.

In February, I invited 6 Miss Universe candidates to Haiti during our carnival and in April, I invited another set of 3 beauty queens. It is a hard and difficult battle but very possible. Haiti is a virgin country with much history. Our beaches and mountains are magical. Very soon, I am launching a tourism agency called Perfection Tours where everyone can come and visit the beauty of Haiti.

Have you ever been betrayed by someone who you trusted?
Yes, I have. When I started high school I got betrayed by my best friends and until now I do not know why, but I do not regret anything as it made me the person I am today. It is difficult for me to have a “friend” or to let anyone in my life now. I am very cautious of who is in my surroundings.

You have a foundation.
Yes. My foundation is my heart. It is called Peace Love International and our mission is to empower people, to give them the resources and knowledge to do for themselves. Currently, I am supporting two orphanages and 17 children which accounts for 112 children in Haiti. I am launching a campaign called “Ayiti N’ap Mache” (Haiti we are Walking) which is about protecting yourself and your environment and everything that has to do with ecology; such as reforestation, recycling etc.

When you’re not performing activities related to Miss Haiti, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy watching movies, spending time with my other half, going to restaurants and my new hobby, as I mentioned earlier, cooking.

Do you have a close relationship with your family?
Yes, I do. I love my family. I am who I am because of them as they are my support system. But I have to say, my grandma holds a special place in my heart—whoever is reading this I am not playing favorites, haha. I owe everything I know in terms of fashion and beauty to my mother, my business mind to my father, my spirit to my grandma. My sisters are my best friends and I don’t know what I would do without them.

You recently worked with famed photographer Marc Baptiste on several shoots. How was that experience?
Wow. He is one of the best photographers I have ever worked with. He is just amazing. We shot for the December cover of Haiti’s fashion magazine Rebelle and also for my 2012 calendar and that was one of the best photography experiences in my life. A lot of the photos I was wearing no make-up and without bragging I never thought I would look so beautiful without make-up. He is just amazing with such great energy and inspirations and I am proud to say that he is Haitian.

Where can your calendar be purchased?
You can find my calendars in Haiti, at Caribbean Supermarket, Giant Supermarket and Big Star Market. Pretty soon, in about 2 months I will be giving the remaining calendars to fans and supporters.

Are you still a spokeswoman for the Rebo brand or have you gotten any endorsements as a result of being Miss Haiti?
No, I am not and until now I have not gotten any endorsement yet, but I am currently working very closely with Jedco Company as they care very much for the environment and the Haitian people as I do.

Do you find yourself wondering if some people might want to get close to you because of your fame?
Well it’s quite sad to say this, but, yes. It has happened already. In high school, I did not have that many friends and suddenly people that used to ignore me would come up to me and say hi, try to talk to me and become friends. I do not hold any grudges, so it’s all groovy!

Do you at times feel that you can’t be yourself, that you have an image to uphold at all times?
I do believe that there is a certain character that you must be in depending on your environment. But never have I been fake or not myself. Sometimes I do have to keep my back more straight then other times, haha, but that inner person is always Anedie. For example, I will act and look a certain way if I am in the same room as the President then I would in a room with a couple of my friends. When I say ‘act’, I do not mean that my personality changes, I just probably speak with a more sophisticated language. But never will I be in an environment where I can’t be myself, and if I do find myself in that position, I am sure that I will have the will to leave that place ASAP.

As someone in the public eye, how do you deal with gossip and rumors?
Honestly I do not like to gossip and create rumors so I stay away from that. If someone next to me starts to gossip and create rumors I move away or I just start thinking about other things and daze off.

It’s the year 2022, what do you imagine yourself doing?
Ten years from now, I will have a family, a husband and children, maybe two, have my tourism agency, my fashion store, and hopefully my non-profit will be bigger so that I can help more people. I will always be a voice for the Haitian people therefore in ten years I will still be advocating for a better country in hope that I start see and feel a change.

A beauty does not live on her looks alone, or so the adage goes. What are your educational plans?
I am done with college. I graduated from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. I studied Business Management with a minor in Liberal Studies. I never stop educating myself, as they say, “Knowledge is power” so I always try to learn more from people, mentors, in all aspects of life. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
KREYOLICIOUSLY YOURS…ANEDIE

A sure way to get me angry is to…Betray my trust

The last time I cried was when…I watched a romance movie (yesterday)

I can’t help but smile when…I see children happy.

At this point of my life, what I value most are…My family—especially grandma—my better half, my home, knowledge—education—positiveness.

Most people don’t know that I…Have a tattoo (hidden)

Artists I’m really feeling right now…Dido, Sade, JPerry.

Three words that describe me for sure…Honest, loyal, goofy

I wish people weren’t…So materialistic and selfish.

In my downtime, I like to…Watch movies, cook or go to restaurants, spend time with loved ones.

These are my instructions to the man who I will marry…I found you already and you better stay the same or get better.

Image Sources: Various, including Paul Cobo Photography

Whitney Lubin is a graduate of Florida State University, and is definitely a hair expert. She and her stylist sister share duties running a hair business. At one point, Lubin was actually active as a stylist, but with time, she rounded her role down to business manager. The one-time International Affairs major prides herself on her business and mane sense.

Unlike other hair specialists, Lubin not only emphasizes the appearance of the hair, but also the well-being of the inner self. It’s not for nothing that she has a verse from the Song of Solomon 4:7 highlighted on her website. It reads: “You are altogether beautiful, my darling. And there is no blemish in you.” She understands that looking good on the outside has a direct relation with how one perceives oneself.

She recalls getting her first hair relaxer when she was nine or ten years old. “It was my dad who wanted me to get the relaxer and not my mother,” she recalls. “At the time I just saw it as a annoying grownup thing to do. Getting my hair braided was something I took to be something that all black women did. It was a bonding experience and I loved every hairstyle.”

Today, those who log on Lubin’s website DhatLook, look through her large inventory of hair pieces to enhance their hair grooming experience. But they also come for the hair care instruction videos and self-love messages that she posts. She discussed DhatLook, entrepreneurship, natural hair and its correlation with overall self-image.

What made you start DhatLook?
When I first started DhatLook, it really was just a place I wanted to be able to share all the interesting and inspiring online content I found, and share my own original content relating to my beauty and hair discoveries. In particular I wanted to showcase black beauty. I wanted to create a place where a younger version of me could visit and see black beauty be exalted. Growing up in Pembroke Pines, FL there was a very pervasive social regard to beauty as being to being about skin complexion. I can remember getting defensive whenever I encountered someone who said “You look Haitian,” or “You dress Haitian”. I started to associate these comments with my dark skin complexion because my siblings didn’t receive the same remarks. In the Haitian community I was aware of the ideal to achieve this lighter brighter complexion with the use of creams that included ingredients like mercury and hydroquinone. Substances that have been proven to have adverse affects on our health and skin after prolong use. I watched as my generation grew up in a culture that promoted this whole yellow bone, red-bone ideal. I was hearing this preference in our music, seeing it in our movies, and although the young idealistic me rebelled against this social construct, I didn’t think I could do anything about it. So the first opportunity I had to move from that area I did, and moved to Tallahassee for school.

And in moving there…
While attending Florida State University, I was introduced to a whole new atmosphere that differed from my experience in South Florida. I was able to volunteer and be amongst fellow black women of various shades and really see our diversity not as a competition, but as divine art. My confidence in my beauty evolved from youthful rebellion against the majority thought to personal confidence and pride. Going natural was a pivotal moment that also allowed me to embrace my hair, and beauty despite the stigmas. As I evolved I wanted to share the joy my confidence gave me with other young women like myself who are surrounded by these images and messages that allude to them that they’re not enough in the eyes of some people. That they’re not beautiful enough for some people. If there is one thing I’d like to share via DhatLook is that young women today we don’t need to fight to prove to everyone that we are beautiful. We don’t have to make everyone see us as valuable. We just have to know it, and feel it for ourselves. Maya Angelou said it best “We teach people how to treat us”. And if we want people to see that we are beautiful, we have to first believe it, and act like it too.

As someone who is so very knowledgeable about the hair industry, would you say that there are certain hair looks that go with certain face shapes, and some that do not?
I wouldn’t necessarily say that certain hair looks go best with one person or another. With hairstyles the objective many of times is to accentuate an oval face or give the illusion of a more oval face shape, as this is considered the most desirable look. Over the years my experience has lead to the belief that the most fashion forward women we admire don’t follow these rules. I really think the majority of beauty tips we receive are meant to guide us on learning how to be comfortable with our beauty, but we’re not obligated to stick to them once we’ve developed our confidence. So by all means if you really want to get bangs to hide your forehead, go ahead if that is what will make you happy, but understand that your forehead is not likely to change, your better option is to change how you feel about your forehead. Do that and you’ll find you’ll be able to rock any hairstyle. When you have a talented hairstylist on your team you’ll be able to tailor any look for your individual tastes. The final objective is always to pick styles that accentuate your favorite attributes not hairstyles that hide something.

There’s been some concern on the part of some that with so many people going natural, that the weave and extension industries are going to suffer. What’s your perspective on this?
I think that the industries that are more likely to suffer with this recent natural hair movement are companies that produce chemical products like relaxers, and companies whose products have ingredients that do more harm than good to hair. People these days have so much access to information we won’t just blindly consume what is marketed to us anymore. The weave and extension business I believe will thrive in this new environment. As someone who has been natural for 4+ years my protective style of choice to grow out my natural has been and continues to be weaves and wigs. What I think is happening in the industry is that women are becoming more educated in terms of hair maintenance and are going to take better care of their hair while in their weaves and wigs so that they can fully reap the benefits of these hairstyles. Weave and extensions especially will continue to be an option for women who want versatility with their hairstyles but don’t necessarily want to permanently alter their hair to achieve a desired look.

Lubin rocking a natural hairstyle.

DhatLook fans have enjoyed your YouTube videos which chronicle your natural hair journey. What made you decide to share that part of yourself with your clients and other viewers?
I think chronicling my natural hair journey was important because it allowed me to have something tangible that I could look back on, and use to compare and see progress through. A fear that plagues many newly natural women is this assumption that their hair isn’t growing or can’t grow or there isn’t any progress in the health and condition of their hair. Keeping this video journal really helped me keep myself accountable when it came to my hair goals, and kept me excited when I looked back on my achievements.

Were you named for the singer Whitney Houston?
[Laughter] Yes. My parents didn’t have a name picked out at the time, but Whitney Houston just so happened to be on the cover of a magazine in the hospital waiting room, so when it came time to naming me they choose Whitney in hopes I would be as talented and successful as the late Whitney Houston.

What hair look of this diva do you most like? I’ve seen throwback photos of her in soft-curls in her modeling days, then the natural look for her debut, then afterwards the permed look.
I like all her looks, she was always good at owning her look. But my absolute favorite was the curly hair she was rocking during her “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” video. It was young, fun, and just a little bit wild.

What do you wish all women knew about their hair?
Everything that we consider healthcare can be applied to hair care. I want all women to know that healthy hair rather than “pretty looking hair” is the most important thing you need to concentrate on, because from there you have a canvas to achieve various looks. The most basic thing our hair needs is water, but you should learn how to apply proper hair moisturizing techniques into your routine. There is no magic product or pill for your hair. Your hairstylist is only capable of doing so much in the time they have with you, the majority of your hair-care takes place at home. It’s your responsibility to make sure your using the right techniques.

For those who prefer sew-ins, how can they protect their hair, while having those?
One of the most important things you can do before you install a sew-in is give your hair an overindulgence of TLC. I would deep condition more vigorously the month before an install just so my hair can be in optimal condition. This is because depending on how long you wear your sew-in, you won’t be able to take care of your hair in the same way. And immediately after taking out your sew-in you should repeat and intensely moisturize and condition. If you have leave out finding heat free ways to achieve looks are a must, and if you really can’t avoid using heat on your leave-out than I suggest using extreme caution using heat protectant, and intensive deep treatments weekly to maintain healthy condition of hair.

Now, you’re in a better position to spot trends than most. What have you noted about the hair arena of late?
Women have taken control of educated themselves on haircare. In terms of hair trends, I think we’ve seen an increase of natural and relaxed African American women using protective styles to achieve health and length. Wigs and weaves are staples have always been staples for many women. In today’s face paced environment women want hairstyles that don’t require sitting for long periods of time to achieve. We’ve seen a reemergence of the Janet Jackson Poetic Justice Braids/twist. Young girls to older professional women are rocking this style. Another trend is the use of lace closures for sew-ins in preference of having leave out. With the proper application women are able to achieve a more flawless sew-in. The lace closures allow women to mimic the appearance of a scalp but still achieve a full install. This is a very big trend within the natural hair community for women who want to go with a straight hairstyle but don’t want to have to go through the trouble of applying heat to their hair and/or blending.

You’ve stressed that you don’t want women to think that putting on a piece of hair is the only way to look good, and that there is something much more to it than that.
You have to take care of your hair in the same manner you take care of your teeth, your skin, your body, your mind, and your spirit. Although it is your crown and glory, don’t let it define you. Especially for African American women there’s nothing you should be afraid of concerning your natural hair, and nothing to be ashamed of if you choose to continue to relax, but we should never become hostage to the consequences of bad hair care practices, or bad hair health. I recently featured on my blog DhatLook.com an article written by The Free Movement on this issue. How we feel about ourselves should not be dependent on what we see, but what we know about ourselves. Societies opinions and trends of style and beauty come and go at a rapid pace, trying to keep up can be a tiring battle. What never goes out of style is confidence, and confidence leads women to take better care of themselves. When you live an all around healthy lifestyle that encompasses mental, physical, and spiritual health , confidence is a natural by-product.

What do your parents think of your entrepreneurial ventures?
My parents are business owners and have always been supportive of whatever I’ve chosen to do. They continue to inspire me and motivate me to take risks and not set limitations to success.

You’re extremely passionate about doing philanthropy in the community. What are your latest activities in that area?
As a graduate from Florida State University I try to continue to be active in the community in whatever capacity that is available. I am a member of SISTUHS, Inc., a community service organization for women of color founded on the campus of Florida State University. I volunteer with the local Public Broadcasting Service(PBS) station WPBT Channel 2 in Aventura Florida on a monthly basis so that they can continue to provide our community quality programming that is focused on highlighting our community needs, and spotlighting our diversity. My business partner Jasmine Wheeler is also an inspiration to me because her mother is a caner survivor. Cervical cancer is a major health obstacle to have overcome as a woman, and we are currently working on a project to celebrate these women, we welcome other individuals and businesses who would like to collaborate.

As a beauty entrepreneur, what do you wish to pass to those wishing to go along the same path as yourself?
Have a plan! That doesn’t mean you have to have a 8 page business plan double spaced and typed up. What it means is that you should have an idea of where you want your business to go. It’s important to have a plan because it keeps you from delaying from taking those bold moves you inevitably will have to make to run a successful and competitive business. In the world of business timing can be everything, and having a business plan can be a world of help when it’s time for you to take a leap of faith regarding your business. Another major thing is that there are free-low cost resources everywhere. The Small Business Administration–SBA—is probably the first place I’d suggest someone go to when they have a business idea. They’ll help you flesh it out, and guide you to the proper resources or networking opportunities. This is a local state supported entity that’s sole purpose is to help create more businesses.

You don’t have to have a Master’s of Business Administration to run a successful business, you just need to be an avid learner, and passionate about your vision. Final note I’d like to make is that you’ll find doors opening up everywhere when you make it a mission to be a community member and not only a business owner.

Shop the Dhat Look store, and click HERE.

So Haiti-based singer Wanito has new music out? And he’s accompanied by none other than Mickael Music, the head-songstress-in-charge of the much-mourned all-women-band movement Bel? It was good enough to have a new Wanito song, but to have this kreyolicious chick on it too made me even more eager to listen to it. I don’t know. There’s something girl-powerish about this Mickael girl. She sings, she writes her own material, and she’s even directed a music video. And this Wanitocito proved with his first album what a deft songwriter he is. So what does their musical collaboration “Viens Avec Moi”, produced by Bujumix bring for us? Plenty of lessons about love, that’s what!

So yeah, it’s a duet with Mickael representing the ladies, and with Wanito representing the fellas. After vowing eternal love and affection, Wanito goes deeper, singing:

Nèg ki pou baw proteksyon an san dout se mwen menm
Si kèw te kraze Cheri li pral repare nan menm

The man who’s going to protect you is without a doubt—me!
If your heart was broken, it’s going to go into intensive repair mode under my lead

The principle here is that it’s a guy’s duty to make his girl feel protected and safe. He’s not to be feared. As a matter of fact, he puts to rest old fears and does not behave in such a way as to revive them. If his girl’s heart was previously shattered by someone else, he will do everything humanly possible to restore her trust in love and of course in him.

Neglijans baw degoutans ou pap jwenn sa nan menm
Plede fèw fache kriye ou pap jwenn sa nan menm
Mete lòt fanm anfas ou ou pap jwenn sa nan menm
Si yo diw yo wè’m akyon lòt Fi di se pa mwen menm
O bebi

Neglect spawns disgust…but you don’t have to worry about that where I’m concerned
Making you raging mad,and causing you tears…never that
Putting sidepieces above you…never that
If they tell you they saw me with some other girl, tell them it wasn’t me

So what can we learn from the above verses? Fidelity is essential. The biggest lesson here is that if you know what the pet peeves of the man or the woman you love are…don’t irritate them by doing those exact things. Don’t do what they don’t like, and do everything they like.

Pi Bon gou lanmou an se mwen k pral fèw goutel Eee Eeee
Nèg ki pi sansyèl la se Ou k pral posedel
Oh baby
Sa m’ap ofriw la lajan paka achte l eeee eee
Paske se Bondye ki kreyel kreyel o o ooo

It’s with me that you’re gonna experience the best love of your life
The most sensual man in the world is at your disposal
Oh baby
What I’m offering you, money can’t buy
And that’s cause it’s God who created it

It’s the overly-tired adage, but oh so true saying that money can’t buy love, and that the best things in life are free.

And with you
The rest of my life I belong
You help me grow and I help you to learn
I’m your only desire you’re my fire when it burns
With you in my world that’s my only concern
Let’s escape to an island and never return

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Undoubtedly one of the best lines in this song, “You help me grow and I help you to learn” testifies to what love should really about. A couple should guide each other in life, and help one another mature intellectually and emotionally. Have you ever read interviews about broken relationships where the phrase “We grew apart” was the main reason given?

And that last line about escaping to an island? It sounds almost like a cliche, but when you think about it. But, if you can’t fathom the idea of being alone for the rest of your life with the person you love on an island, then that person isn’t the one you want to be with.

This track is pretty heavy when you take the time to really examine the lyrics.

So far, so good.

Is “Viens Avec Moi” a prelude to what’s to come on Wanito’s next album? If so, let this record come sooner rather than later.
With his previous work, the singer-songwriter was preoccupied with social problems and observations about human life, and loss. Will his upcoming album be a love song collection mostly? A change of pace and topics would definitely be a treat.

WANITO ON TWITTER| WANITO ON INSTAGRAM| WANITO ON FACEBOOK| MICKAEL MUSIC ON TWITTER| MICKAEL MUSIC ON INSTAGRAM

Love For Haitian Food is easily one of the most popular Haitian-American food blogs. Created by Manie Chery, a Haitian-American foodie, the vlog has thousands of views on Youtube, a highly-trafficked website, and an Instagram account that gets reposted by lovers of Haitian food. For the video recipe tutorials the vlogger presents traditional and non-traditional Haitian cooking recipes with a Haitian-American touch. Follow your fave chick Kreyolicious as I interview the mind behind this foodie venture.

Kreyolicious: Tell us about yourself and your childhood memories you have of food and cooking.
I was a skinny kid…still pretty slim. They used to have to force me to eat a lot unless it was something I liked, like chicken and banann peze… P.S. My older brother and I called every meat chicken [Laughter]. I was not interested in cooking as a kid. My mom would be in the kitchen and I’d be watching cartoons. But at about age twelve, I learned how to make spaghetti—Italian style).

Kreyolicious: Who was instrumental in making you the cook you are today?
Definitely my mom, as I grew older when she was in the kitchen she would say, Vin aprann fè manje [come learn how to whip together a meal]. I honestly didn’t care at the time. But I did notice that my family always asked her to cook for family functions and then they would rave about the food. I was impressed by that, and figured if I wanted people to rave about my food, I’d better learn from her.

Kreyolicious: What made you start your vlog?
Well, in my mid-twenties—I’m thirty something now—I realized that I couldn’t cook anything else well enough besides pasta. I figured there were other young Haitian-Americans who also didn’t know how to cook their favorite Haitian dishes. While searching for recipe videos, I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for. So, I decided to create it. Recipes for Haitian food with visuals that the cooking-challenged could easily follow.

This concludes PART I of the interview with Love for Haitian Food vlogger Manie Chery. Be sure to watch out for Part II. Meanwhile…

CLICK HERE to visit Manie Chery’s I Love Haitian Food vlog| CLICK HERE to visit the I Love Haitian food website | I Love Haitian Food on Instagram |

CLICK HERE to read more articles related to Haitian cuisine.

CLICK HERE to read interviews with other Haitian-American food vloggers!

10 Haitian Music Tracks That’ll Make You Wish You Were In Love (Even If You’re The Been There Ain’t Going Back Type)! Now, isn’t that just a dandy title! Well, maybe not for the jaded perhaps? But for those whose little hearts long for that thing called love…this is the perfect list. Let’s get started on yet another list created by your favorite Haitian-American ever…your esteemed girl Kreyolicious. So, without further delay and additional wordiness….

1. Artist/Band
Kiko Tru Rasta
Song: Mwen Bezwen Lanmou
Why It’s on this countdown: Nothing more alluring than a man asking to be loved.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS ARTIST’S MUSIC!

2. Artist/Band: Karizma
Song: Istwa Damou
Why It’s on this countdown: Can you imagine a better pictorial than love falling off the heavens like sweet chocolate (Ahem, “Nan tout rev/Kap simen lov sou mwen tankou shokola”)? With lead singer Emmery Karizma’s voice serving up a luscious blend of R&B and konpa, and those sweet lyrics? Like, wow.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS BAND’S MUSIC!

3. Artist/Band: Djakout Mizik
Song: Aprouve’m
Why It’s on this countdown: Lord, where has this song been all my life? “Banm santans mwen/Banm santans mwen cheri.” What’s my verdict/What’s the verdict babycakes. Ooh, am loving this line. He’s begging for approval. He’s supplicating for the verdict on him. Ooh, this dude’s voice is indescribable. You’re so approved, dawg!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS BAND’S MUSIC!

4. Artist/Band: Harmonik
Song: Mesi
Why It’s on this countdown: Dude, like I’m a huge believer in gratitude. I remember reading somewhere (can’t recall where), about ingratitude being one of the foremost reasons why marriages break up. When people think they’re being taken for granted…well…that could be a major deal breaker. Sometimes, just knowing that you are appreciated can make one work harder on one’s relationship. Love the vulnerability in the voice of the lead singer on this track. The humility…the, um, gratitude.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS BAND’S MUSIC!

5. Artist/Band:Dat7
Song: Se Konsa
Why It’s on this countdown: What’s love without instructions? And what if there was a way to get instructions…to get a how-to manual? That’s what “Se Konsa” is all about.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS BAND’S MUSIC!

6. Artist/Band: Wanito
Song: Viens Avec Moi
Why It’s on this countdown: Well, for one thing…it’s a boy-girl duet where the concept of division of labor is clearly outlined. Love is a two-way highway. It’s about helping one another grow. That Bujumix production, coupled with lyrics co-written by Wanito and Mickael Music practically makes this a stewey love gumbo.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS ARTIST’S MUSIC!

7. Artist/Band: Dega
Song: Piga Wale
Why It’s on this countdown: Came across this song while perusing Youtube, and it’s actually quite nice. Now, when all the verses of a 4-minute song is just begging and pleading with a woman not to go…you can’t possibly go wrong.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS BAND’S MUSIC!

8. Artist/Band: Phyllisia Ross
Song:Only for You
Why It’s on this countdown: Mwen pre pou’m kouri tout late? Now that’s a powerful line, especially in view of the fact that the Earth is approximately 24,902 miles…but that’s actually just the circumference. “Mwen pre pou’m mache sou dlo/Mwen pre pou’m pote ou sou do”/I’m ready to walk on water. I’m ready to carry you on my back. Let us for a minute examine this couplet…If you’re familiar with the book of Matthew, you know that the first instance of a human walking on water was Jesus…who also gave Simon Peter the power to do so as well. When Peter’s faith faltered, and he fell…Jesus told him that if only he had the faith of a mustard seed. So, in context of these lyrics, both parties in a relationship have to be prepared to have faith in one another…hopefully bigger than that of a mustard seed. And the latter part of those lyrics…carrying someone else on your back means total support…You want to be their backbone…when their own breaks down…Such powerful lyrics.

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9. Artist/Band: Xtassy
Song:Eske
Why It’s on this countdown: Seraphic little voices on this track…a sweet production…and the unassuming lyrics…”Eske mwen ka mande’w renmen…Eske mwen ka mande’w damou?” Can I ask you out? Could I ask that we fall in love.

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10. Artist/Band: Bel Plezi
Song: My Queen
Why It’s on this countdown: There’s no better title for a woman than “queen”, especially in this day and age that we live in when words once believed to be pejoratives and insults are being used as synonyms for the word “female” or “woman”. With this song, this band Bel Plezi goes back to old school values.

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There you are folks! 10 Haitian Music Tracks that’ll make you wish you were in love! Do you have any tracks you’d like that you wish were on the countdown? Sound off in the comments below!

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE KREYOLICIOUS MUSIC ARTICLES!

Haitian American food vlogger Manie Chery is the woman behind the Love for Haitian Food website and vlog. Haitian cooking is pretty laborious, but to also have a vlog about Haitian cooking! Well, that’s a pretty huge load. But Manie Chery is up for the challenge and more. Here she is discussing the challenges that she ran across as she tried to launch the blog, and her plans for its future.

Kreyolicious: It’s one thing to start a vlog, but keeping it going is another matter. What are some challenges you’ve had, and how did you bypass and solve them?
Challenges that I’ve faced with keeping my vlogs going is basically being a one-woman team. I write the recipes, cook, film, edit, create the blog posts, photograph the pictures etc, etc. It gets hard doing it all by myself, but I wouldn’t quit, even if I take long breaks in between posting I would never quit cause I realize that it helps a lot of people. To solve those issues it takes a lot planning and giving myself the needed time to get things done. I struggle with that but I am definitely a work in progress.

Kreyolicious: What are some of the best things that have happened to you since you started your food vlog?
Some of the best things that have happened to me since starting my vlog is first learning how to cook Haitian food, that is a skill/gift that I’m proud to say I finally have, and I’m still learning. I’ve been contacted by a publisher who inquired about me writing a cookbook. Also, the love that I receive from all over the world is great and seriously makes me so happy and gives me the necessary push to move forward. Another thing that has happened is getting interviewed by awesome people like you which helps me to be more visible on the internet, I appreciate that a lot!

Kreyolicious: You’re so gracious…Where do you see yourself and your blog three years from the date of this interview?
Three years from now, my cookbook is still doing very well. I’m working on it. I see my blog having very heavy traffic from visitors all over the world. I am one of the first people that comes to mind when someone is looking for a recipe. Life is great and will continue to be so! I like to speak things into existence.

CLICK HERE to visit Haitian American food blogger Manie Chery’s I Love Haitian Food vlog| CLICK HERE to visit the I Love Haitian food website | I Love Haitian Food on Instagram |

CLICK HERE to read more articles related to Haitian cuisine.

CLICK HERE to read interviews with other Haitian-American food vloggers!

Am I going to be a senior citizen by the time We Love You Anne is released? The trailer was placed on YouTube nearly three years ago, and still no movie.

What exactly is the hold-up? Are the producers waiting for the right time to release it? Because there’s no better time than right now!
Perhaps they are intimidated by the fact that the economy-devastating January 2010 Haiti earthquake is going to affect box office receipts? Or perhaps they are brooding on the reputed destruction of Haiti’s still-functioning theaters and are wondering where they will have screenings? No problem. There’s still hotel auditoriums and halls, no? I Love You Anne made a lot of money, and we can surmise that a great deal of the movie’s revenues came from DVD sales in the United States. So the movie theater system is Haiti is on the decline, so why not do a straight-to-DVD release and have a few extras on the DVD to entice movie fans to buy the original product?

Movie fans outside of Haiti are the ones who bring in the most revenue for Haitian movies, anyway. Sheesh!

There is so much anticipation from Haitian movie fans, counting my grandmother! During the 2007-2010 years, a lot of Haitian movie lovers were gravitating towards Nigerian and Ghanaian movies, but that phase has died down considerably. The African movie/Nollywood/Gollywood overkill backfired on video store owners. Do you see the rows and rows of unsold movies in their stores?

Now, movie fans are ravenous for homegrown entertainment. There is so much rubbish [said ironically, in my best African movie voice] on the Haitian movie market right now, majority of which is produced by former communion and wedding videographers, you can be assured.

“Quality entertainment, quality entertainment”, is the cry from movie fans. Maybe the powers that be behind We Love You Anne will hear their agony and their cries and release the darn movie! Like, stat.

In the meantime, feel free to watch the trailer below:

I still can remember the first time I ever heard of Marie Vieux Chauvet. It was from reading Dr. Myriam J.A. Chancy’s study of Haitian literature by women entitled: Framing the Silence: Revolutionary Novels by Haitian Women. I think that for sure I may have read briefly about her in Léon François Hoffman’s survey of Haitian literature, and J. Michael Dash’s book, Literature and Ideology in Haiti, 1915-1961, and perhaps didn’t notice. While I’m on the subject of Chancy, I will also say that I’m eternally grateful to her because before I read her book, I had no idea that there were so many women Haitian writers. To me that book is a great contribution to Haitian women’s literature, though it’s just a survey. Nadine Magloire, Yanick Lahens, Madame Virgile Valcin, better called Cleanthe Desgraves, Annie Desroy, all were introduced to me by Framing the Silence.

Love, Anger, Madness: A Haitian Triptych is translated from the French by Rose-Myriam Réjouis and Val Vinokur, and the translation, as far as I can tell is outstanding. Nothing seemed amiss. I must say that I’m extremely grateful to those two as well, and the Vieux estate for making this English translation possible, and to make it accessible to so many of us. And thank you Modern Library Classics.
Edwidge Danticat wrote a rather gracious forward. I’m sure she feels a lot of gratitude towards Vieux Chauvet, who in a way, paved the way for Ms. Danticat. I’m sure she views her as an inspiration.

Marie Vieux Chauvet-undated photo (left)

Reading the book put me in quite a state. A state of fear, it’s like classic horror, but the bogeymans were all visible. I had read on Haitiwebs.com about how Marie Vieux Chauvet (to self: I wonder if she’s related to the CaRiMi singer Carlo Vieux), and how she went into exile, how her family had her books burned for fear of reprisal from the government, because, really she was denouncing the 1960s-era Duvalier government in thinly-disguised plotlines even though in the narrative she set her story decades before. In the first book (Love), Claire Clarmont (a rather ironic name, considering that Claire means light in French), a dark-skinned Haitian born into an elite Haitian family consisting of mulattoes and near-white relatives, feels isolated and unloved, but facing the tyranny of a dictatorship gives her the strength she needs to affirm her identify. In the second part of the trilogy, Rose Normil, the beautiful daughter of one of Haiti’s most powerful mulatto families allows herself to be sodomized by a police chief to save her family’s land from governmental pillagers. I almost couldn’t muster the gumption to read the last novella Madness, the story of Réné, the political prisoner, who’s being starved and terrorized in a prison cell, along with other dissidents.

I felt horrified throughout the time I was reading the novellas in this trilogy. What a way to live. I felt the pain of Rose’s family; I felt Claire’s frustration, the agony of the Normils, as the family maid who was secretly envying their lifestyle and their wealth, betrayed them.

I couldn’t help but notice a lot of anti-black Haitian sentiment throughout the novel. The police chief in Anger doesn’t have a name, but is referred to as the Gorilla, and in the narrative his African features are constantly put in derision. But I try to understand that it must not have been pretty for people to be victimized because of their skin color.

I understand from reading the books Written in Blood by Heinls clan, The Breached Citadel by Patrick Bellegarde, that up to the 1950s, there was no black middle class in Haiti. And that one of the things that occurred during the late-50s and up to the 1970s, was an incessant persecution and purging of the fair-skinned middle and upper class to make way for the Haitian black middle class. But why did one color need to be wiped out to make place for another. Coexistence wasn’t possible? SMH.

If you’ve read this book, kindly share your thoughts on it. If you can help it, try to stick to general storylines, so as to not spoil the plot for others who have yet to read it.