The year 2016 just flew by, didn’t it. Haiti-based radio host Carel Pedre’s year was very eventful. Let’s see how it went for the multimedia personality.

Here is the host posing with a fellow media personality at the Montreal Black Film Festival. He was a jury member for this year’s edition of the film fest.

A fan presents the host with a framed illustration in his likeness.

With Nedgyne Louis, the founder of Anseye Pou Ayiti, a non-profit based in the United States and Haiti that’s focused on Haitian education reforms.

In May, Pedre left Haiti for the United States to join several other journalism professionals from other countries for the IVLP program, conducted by the Department of State.

The multimedia host poses at the ABC offices.

The host covering the West Indian Labor Day Festival in New York.

The multimedia host, who’s also an avid techie, held a Haitian Creole workshop to teach others how to make the best of livestreaming.

Taking on co-hosting duties for his podcast show De Tout et de Rien (Everything and Nothing) with co-host DJ K9.

With a host of guests for an edition of his morning show “Chokarella”.

The Olympics was one of the most-discussed topics by #TeamHaiti. Here, Pedre poses for photos with one of the Team Haiti Olympics participants.

Hanging out with some fans!

Pedre closed off the year with more than 149,000 followers on Instagram, and with nearly 100,000 followers on Twitter, not to mention the 200,000+ who follow his personal page and his radio show’s Facebook page. When all his social platforms are tallied up, he has a reach of more than a quarter of a million.

What will the year 2017 bring for the multimedia personality? Be sure to check out radio host Carel Pedre’swebsite| and be sure to keep up with him on Twitter and on Instagram!

Broadcaster Ed Lozama has has a lengthy career that has earned him fans and admirers. Outside of radio, he’s a philanthropist and a community leader. Check out PART TWO of the interview him below. CLICK HERE if you missed PART ONE.

K. St. Fort: When you think of your career, who are the individuals would you say have been the most influential?

They are too many to name. I have to mention David Hart who taught me the beauty of the medium. Marie-Luce Pierre who gave me my first shot at the microphone. Jethro Julien—the professional who held my hand as a teenager. Those who exercised great influence on me include Bob Lemoine, Herby Widmaier, Jacques Jean-Baptiste, Jean Dominique, Emmanuel Blaise, Larry Lujack, Charles Osgood, Paul Harvey—just to name a few.

K. St. Fort: And your biggest teacher?

Funny, my biggest teacher [was someone whose] classes I never attended. Paul Harvey had that distinct way of delivering current news in a humorist fashion. With Paul, you never knew what to expect. Never missed one of his newscasts.

Above: With a musical guest at the Radio One studios.

K. St. Fort: How has the field changed since you started?

It has changed a lot. Nowadays, anyone has access to the microphone without a minimum [of] preparation. In my day, you had to go through an internship—or apprentice—and prove yourself before they would let you on the mic. People [have] become less interested in the academic side of broadcasting. Technically, things have totally changed. Gone are the record players, reel-to-reels, cassettes, cartridge players…even the CD players are on their way out. With modern technology, I am now able to broadcast a two-hour show with a playlist and other information right on my smart phone.

K. St. Fort: Some people pray to have more than 24 hours in a day. How do you make sure that you make productive use of your time?

At my age, I’ve slowed down a lot and 24 hours give me plenty of time to do what I have to do. I try to live a balanced life…making good use of my time—including time to relax.

K. St. Fort: What advice would you like to give someone who’d like to go into broadcasting?

Go to broadcasting school. Broadcasting is both science and an art. The artistic part is within you. You have your own style and way of delivering the goods. Training can help perfect the art. The scientific part can only be learned in school. Too many great speakers have no idea how their voice reach the audience. Take time to go to Boutilliers and visit a transmitter site. Learn how this station sounds so good compared to another.

K. St. Fort: Would you change anything about the way things have gone in your career?

I’ve been blessed and not sure if I would change anything. My experience in places like the Voice of America, Vision 2000, MBC—and now Radio One—are priceless.

K. St. Fort: What should we expect from you next?

[Laughter] Even I can’t answer that question. I’m always up for a challenge. We’ll see what comes up.​

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW ED LOZAMA ON TWITTER | CLICK HERE FOLLOW ED LOZAMA ON INSTAGRAM

CLICK HERE TO READ INTERVIEWS WITH OTHER RADIO PERSONALITIES

If you’re from Miami, or if you’re familiar with the urban scene and everything that’s popping on South Florida, Stichiz is surely on your radar. She’s one of the most popular radio personalities and influencers on the scene. Record labels court her because they know she’s got her pulse on the Miami market. Marketers and publicists seek her out because they know that once their client has got the Stiching Stamp, they’re set. Firms and organizations looking for an influencer who has a genuine connection with Miami’s movers and shakers blow up her phone and clog her email inbox non-stop. As one of 103.5 The Beat’s radio deejays, Stichiz not only pumps the hottest jams for the tri-county demo, but also inspires her audience and fans through her work as a community activist and hip-hop artist.

K. St. Fort: Tell us more about yourself.

First and foremost, thank you kindly for taking the timeout to speak with me…super shout out to Kreyolicious and thank you for supporting indie artists. Originally from Ottawa, Canada and of Haitian decent, I am an artist,[and besides being] a radio personality, [I am also a] voiceover actress, a lover of my community, a lover of God-Jesus Christ, music, life and positive vibes.

K. St. Fort: When you were in high school, were you part of your school’s radio station, or were you an announcer?

Funny ​enough, in high school, my best friend and I rallied support to create a TV and film production course, which I believe they may still have today. Not so much radio, but more so on camera and mc’ing. During lunch, we would create “Freestyle Friday” sessions where we would have students battle each other—but all in good fun. I would rap a few bars and host. [Laughter]

K. St. Fort: Your name stands out for sure. How did you get the name Stichiz?

I actually got my name when I was a little a kid. My older sister was really heavy in music, and she knew a number of deejays. One day, she was meeting with a deejay friend of hers and she was like, “Hey…my sister knows how to rap!” And I guess I really didn’t exemplify the typical female MC. I was like maybe eleven or twelve years old at the time. And he’s like, “Yeah, right…Spit something.” I looked at her she gave me the nod. I looked at him, and just started going. He was like, “Yo, she just gave me stitches, son”. And from then on, it stuck. Every time I rap, I try to give people stitches. [It’s an] inside joke. Oh, and not to mention my sister’s name was also Lace. So, it pretty much made sense.

Above: Stichiz poses with two guests of 103.5 The Beat.

K. St. Fort: It’s an especially exciting time for you. You’re releasing your first EP? What was it like putting it together—choosing the songs to include, and deciding who to work with?

Yes. I am super excited about my new EP which is currently titled #SoulSearching which will be released in 2016! Though with most of my songs I always end up having a message behind it, this EP is also centered on inspiration. Like many I experienced a lot of pain, loss, etc. spiritual battles and still tried to keep a smile on my face. #SoulSearching will pretty much take you on a journey from real love to reggae/Creole wake up vibes and smooth not-fully-jazzy, but kind of melodic sounding, stiching vibes. What is “stiching”? If you anyone has heard any of my other compilations #StichzophrenicMusic, “The New Standard”, “Dark Sunny Days” etc, you already have an idea. [Laughter] If not, then once you listen to #SoulSearching—you will find out for sure.

K. St. Fort: Do you have a favorite track on the CD?

Honestly, I love the whole CD. A few tracks in particular that I think many will cling to first is “Really Love” produced by a good friend of mine Tracksionz, mixed by Jorge from Studio Center. It’s really just an easy flowing track that I think almost anyone can listen to. It speaks of the true essence of love. I really wanted to speak for the woman lyrically who truly loves the man that she feels she’s been blessed with as a life partner. The second one is called #SoulSearching aka “Moving Mountains”—instruments played by Tracksionz as well, and mixed by Robert Dante (Red Velvet Basement Studios). The track is short, but the making of it was amazing I had a vision to gather four singers onto one track and the names that came to mind were Lavie, Sassy Singz, Giel and Ichechi. These ladies all have amazing ranges of voices, and have great spirits and were down to sing a song that I wrote. It’s one of those moving Yass-God, faith-based inspirational tracks. And of course, you know I had to have a Creole hip-hop reggae track on there which so far those who have heard ‘really love’—no pun intended. [Laughter] There is also another track called “My Black Is Beautiful”. Funny story about that record…a good friend of mine called me while I was in the studio, and she was telling me about what happened to her daughter. Her daughter was pretty much told by a young boy’s father that her complexion was too dark, which made her feel unattractive. That really messed with my mind, and I hear so many stories of our woman and men having low self-esteem because of their complexion. Typically, if you are a shade darker, it is not considered beautiful. So, I took all of that and went into the booth and just started making sounds and lyrics came out. All the sounds you hear on that particular record I made with my voice. So, it’s pretty cool—and I hope motivating.

Stichiz wears boots and an all-black leather outfit here and poses with members of the 103.5 The Beat family in Miami.

K. St. Fort: Is finding inspiration for your art easy?

Thank you Jesus. For me, yes it is…because my inspiration comes from life itself, a lot of it is my life, or stories I know about and people and things I am introduced to.

K. St. Fort: How important is image to an artist’s success?

I learned at a very young age [that] it is very important. However, with social media being so prevalent you can kind of get away with a few things that you wouldn’t before. I think that mainly because if you can build your following on your own, then your base will 9 times out of 10 stick with you no matter what you look like. Today, many would still say that you still need a lick of talent to make it in the industry. If you have a great image, you’re golden! I have always been a believer in staying true to who you are… because at the end of the day, what will last longer my image or the message and music? People are will eventually be able to tell if you are faking something!
K. St. Fort: Was it easy to get to where you are? What are some of the things you had to overcome?

Not at all…and honestly I don’t believe I’ve reached my peak as yet [laughter], but am thankful to sweet Jesus that I am not where I was. [Laughter] I think one of the biggest obstacles especially being a woman in Christ in this industry, is standing my ground on what I am willing and unwilling to do. My focus is inspiring and connecting, changing things for the better how ever God allows me to, and I believe He gave me the ability to do that through music. However, that’s not always easy when people expect you to dress a certain way, rap about certain things when it’s not who you are. That was one of my main challenges, but I can honestly say I am moving forward and blessed with people around me who believe in what I do—and how I am doing it.

K. St. Fort: What was it like working with Mecca AKA Grimo and Grimass, your fellow Miami MCs for the song “We Dem Zoes”?

Those guys are awesome they are all super amazing to work with and they are all super talented. When Magnificent Beats—the producer—and Dj Epps gave us our first track to work on together, while we were in Studio Center. It just clicked. I really thank God that we are able to push forward with this project. It will be something amazing, barrier-breaking and really inspirational.

K. St. Fort: How would you describe the music scene in Miami right now?

I think music in general is still on the scale of dance type follow along music, and really up-tempo rap ride tracks… I’m from Broward and the music that I notice circulating around is either like I mentioned up tempo follow along tell you what I do type of dance tracks, or a slow ride out vibe type of track—if that makes any sense.

Be on the lookout for PART TWO of the interview with Stichiz. Meanwhile…

CLICK HERE TO VISIT STITCHIZ’ WEBSITE| STICHIZ ON TWITTER| STITCHIZ ON YOUTUBE | STITCHIZ ON FACEBOOK

Whether living in Montreal or Toronto, Australia or New York, Miami or New Jersey, and elsewhere—and in different time zones, Haitians on the web come together every morning compliments of Carel Pedre and his music radio show “Chokarella”. The show, a mix of music, music criticism and social commentary, is broadcasted on the radio from Haiti, and streamed online. Pedre’s radio show is not the only Haiti-based radio show that can be heard on the web, but a combination of personality, and clever use of technology has made it the foremost, and “the one” to be listened to. Pedre’s show has the technological edge on many of the radio shows from Haiti broadcasted on the web, in that he’s had downloadable custom applications done to make the show listenable to users of Smartphones, and he uses social media regularly to promote it. Mostly though, the show has gained its popularity simply by word of mouth. Pedre’s playlist on a given day can range from Haitian konpa—Haiti’s pop music form—to jazz, R&B, techno, 1990s rap to contemporary U.S. pop music.

For Josny Sévère, who first started listening while living in the Dominican Republic, Pedre’s show is a breath of fresh air. “We can say that it is a great show in terms of content and [his] interaction with the audience. The [show’s] schedule also makes the show a success since there is a lot of people like me that don’t really care about the bad news we are having in the news everyday, so this show really entertains us during those hours of the day.”

Blogger Sarah Desamours, who initially came across Pedre on Twitter two years ago, has gone on to become one of the show’s biggest fans. If she had her way, Chokarella would be broadcasted during evenings and weekends (Pedre occasionally has what he calls Chokarella After Dark, during which he plays super sexy music). To Desamours, the show is a cultural connector. “Carel is the only one I know in the Haitian community who is able to connect Haitians all around the world with a radio show and most importantly, through social media. That is beyond amazing and as a Haitian that was born in Canada, it really helped me discover more about my country and my culture—events, artists.”

“I love his sense of humor, which adds a fun touch to his show,” Desamours gushes. “I also appreciate how he encourages local artists and the fact that I do not have to be in Haiti to be connected to the show as his online stream.”

For Espy César-Saveedra, a Haitian living in Australia, Pedre’s show is a must. “I like his professionalism, patriotism, the burning passion for his work and extreme confidence,” César-Saaverdra notes. “He is also a humanitarian, educator, and accomplished artist.” César-Saavedra says she uses Chokarella as a primer on Haitian music to non-Haitians living in Australia.

One capitvating aspect of the “Chokarella” radio show, says many die-hard listeners, is the sheer unpredictability of it. “I really like the fact that the show is not [stuck] into [some] formal script where the host always has to be the slave to that script,” says Sévère. “[I like] the variety of the music [played] since I personally don’t listen to other genres other than konpa, so the show always connects me with those genres. And I think all that makes the show different.”

New York’s Ti Kenny Dambreville, the host of the web show “The Sauce”, credits Pedre with introducing him to all sorts of new music, and more particularly electronic dance music, a genre that wasn’t exactly permeating his playlist before. That is the sort of power Pedre’s show has had in doing, among other things, persuading die-hard fans of musical genres to try something new—not to mention the sense of unity he evokes through his show. “I think this show enlightens and informs young Haitians about our community and our music,” says Dambreville. “I also like how Carel doesn’t hold his tongue for anyone.”

Hold his tongue? That, he doesn’t do, sometimes even if it means losing a sponsor or an ad on his radio show. If he feels the need to say that Haiti would be in the same medical emergency disaster predicament again, if another earthquake were to strike—then that’s what he’ll say. If while riding the streets of Haiti he sees graffiti on walls with a group’s name, he will denounce the band in question. If a tobacco company is trying to market to underage kids, or market in Haiti period, it will feel the verbal wrath of Carel. If that much-publicized live weekend concert event didn’t live up to expectations, you will surely hear about it on Monday, or whenever his next radio broadcast is. If a Haitian star grossly misbehaves publicly, thou shalt heareth all the details, followed by a lecture and some tough words from Mr. Pedre. If the musical show of such-and-such band was is not up to par, and Carel Pedre happens to be on the scene, he will surely give you the no holds-barred rundown the next day. And if you think you can run some explicit, demeaning lyrics by Carel Pedre, well, think again.

Pedre’s outspokeness is a trait that, rather than turn his listeners off, is pulling them in. Desamours observes: “Although his criticism can be seen as harsh, I believe it is constructive criticism.” Gilles Freslet, himself a host of a radio show based in Haiti describes Pedre as “brilliant” and someone who knows very well what he’s doing. “His show is definitely popular with listeners,” observes Freslet. “He talks about everything and nothing. He criticizes when there’s a need to do so, and he gives props when that’s necessary which of course makes some glad and makes some ticked.”

Ticked, or fache as Freslet puts it, is definitely a reaction Pedre inspires out of some.

Some have gone as far as saying that Pedre is an opportunist that used the 2010 earthquake in Haiti to further his popularity as a radio host. Others accuse him of trying to hoag the spotlight reserved for his star subjects. It is indeed true that Pedre achieved a great deal of notoriety as a result of his using his Twitter and Facebook accounts to help family members to connect with another and posts photos and updates on social media during Haiti’s 2010 earthquake . But long before the earthquake, some observers should note, Pedre was already a seasoned radio man. And if post-earthquake he has indeed gained some social media fame, people are flocking to his show in the mornings for what he has to offer musically—and for what it’s worth—his commentary. The earthquake notoriety alone could not have sufficed to sustain his current following. And the following is huge, from Pedre’s social media network followers—who alone number about 50,000—to listeners listening directly on the radio and on their phone, to listeners on the web.

The breed that probably is the most grateful to Pedre (or at least should be)—other than his loyal listeners—are Haitian musicians. Many fledgling artists in Haiti had their first taste of radio play on Carel Pedre’s show—not to mention their first on-air interview introductions to music fans. Since most radio stations in Haiti are reportedly on a pay-for-play structure, new artists with little backing or sponsorship can struggle for some time before they can get meaningful exposure, Pedre’s show is highly regarded by newcomers and veterans alike. If some musicians’ music is going beyond Haiti, and getting airplay and recognition at lightning and hail speed (or at least at a faster speed than their nonexistent—or barely there marketing and publicity team—work), they have Pedre to thank—in part. “I feel as if Chokarella gives the Haitian music industry and its artists a voice,” Dambreville observes. “The show streams to people who would never have the opportunity to be exposed to to all of the different music Carel plays.” His show streaming can be compared to a form of guerrilla distribution for Haitian musicians, especially those based in Haiti, who are not being backed by big labels, and who often neglect to do international marketing.

Mario Accius, who listens regularly from New York, thinks of Chokarella as a God-send for Haitian online activism, Haitian music and Haitian musicians. He says: “I feel like it does a wonderful thing for our Haitian music and musicians due to the fact that the show reaches worldwide”. “I’m pretty sure there are countries or people who had never heard of Haitian music before, but because of the reach of the show to other nations, they have a sense and notion of what Haitian music is all about.”

Adds Desamours: “He also genuinely encourages artists, especially the youth.” Desamours sees Pedre as one who’s helped her get into vintage Haitian music. “I am a big fan of konpa but the show has helped me discover some of the older generation konpa such as Tabou Combo, which I knew about but never heard their music. It also helped me discover local Haitian artists who are not too big in Montreal but that are very talented such as BelO, Tifane, etc.”

Says Freslet: “We appreciate the man a lot for his talent and what he represents in the community. We really need a whole lot more Carel Pedres in the country, though he’s not perfect. No one is.”

Carel Pedre in his musical studio with two musical guests.

Q & A

K. St. Fort: Tell us about yourself. What sort of person is Carel Pedre really?
I’m not one who likes to talk about myself. I prefer that people find out on their own the type of person that I am. But If I had to describe myself, I would say that I am cool and down-to-earth kind of guy, a proud father, someone who loves his country and I’m definitely into electronics. I am optimistic and I like to look at the positive side of things. I also believe in sharing my positive energy with those around me.

K. St. Fort: What are some of the memories you have of your childhood in Haiti?
First thing I can think of is that growing up, the country—Haiti—was in a much better place, therefore it was easier to go out and take a swim in the rivers, play soccer with friends like every child wants to do. I was really into school when I was growing up, so there was also lots of studying involved in my childhood.

K. St. Fort: Did you attend a broadcasting school there, or was the talent for broadcasting pretty much innate?
I did not attend a broadcasting school. Inversely, my experience as a host started when I was 17—therefore I can say that I spent more time doing radio shows in my entire life than anything else. However, I had the opportunity to attend a conference on broadcasting in Washington DC in 2004 and I also educate myself on what is going on around the world when it comes to broadcasting. Whether it includes reading a book, watching a show, doing research, anything that involves broadcasting is of high interest to me.

K. St. Fort: In 2010, you used Twitter to help in the relief effort. A great use of technology, some might point out. What misuse of technology have you witnessed since you’ve been a techie?
When I think of misuse of technology, I think of people who use technology to their own advantage by spreading lies, harass other people, spread rumors, fraud, and even those who take advantage of the system to fool those who are not so tech-savvy in order to panic, or scam others.

K. St. Fort: Do you remember when you first got the idea for your show “Chokarella”?
The idea for my morning show was first based on my schedule. I used to work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. as the communication officer of the World Health Organization office in Port-au-Prince. Therefore, the only time I had available for a morning show was early in the morning, which is why “Chokarella” was originally a 6-8 a.m. show. I decided that having a morning show would offer the listeners an alternate option other than listening to the news in the morning. The show was originally called Radio One’s morning Show, but I felt like the name needed to be catchier. The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of calling the show “Carel’s Show” vs. “Carel Live”. When translated in creole, “Show Carel la” felt more original and all I had to do was to come up with a creative writing. And so there it was, “Chokarella”!

K. St. Fort: You use your show to update music fans on the latest activities of their favorite bands, and of course up-and-comers. What’s your favorite band? And naturally, what newcomer in recent times has made an especially profound impression on you?
My favorite band is Mizik Mizik, Gwo Djaz! [Laughter]. For up-and-comers, I don’t have a favorite.

K. St. Fort: You’re practically Haiti’s king of all media. What do you have cooking up next?
I am flattered that you considered me the king of the media, but I personally feel like I am on my way to the throne. Although I have a lot cooking, my biggest dream is to have “Chokarella” on TV. I’ve been working on it for two years now, and I hope that it can become a reality before the end of the year.

K. St. Fort: Is payola, or pay for play really a part of the Haitian music industry, as some have said it is?
Yes, it is. And unfortunately, that is one of the main reasons why some artists and groups, especially newcomers can’t afford airtime on some of the shows that are considered popular in Haiti.

K. St. Fort: Your fans consider you to be very outspoken. Have you ever had fallout with anybody, any company as a result of your opinions?
Yes, it’s not easy in a country like Haiti where people tend to suck up to other people. But being the person that I am, I will always share my opinions in all honesty—even if it offends others. I do not mean anything personal, but I believe that it is a quality that every successful radio host should possess. Yes, I have had fall-outs with companies before and it resulted in them stopping their commercials as part of my show. But thank God that the owner of Radio One understands and respects my point of view; otherwise, I would probably be the one left without a job. As far as musicians, we sometimes have disagreements, but it never ends as a fall out, we usually find a way to either work things out or agree to disagree.

K. St. Fort: What are you most proud of?
Professionally I can say that I proud of my accomplishments. Personally, I am proud of my two beautiful daughters. I am a blessed man.

K. St. Fort: Do you have a record that you especially cherish?
I can’t think of one record in particular that I like the most. I listen to a lot of music; it’s fair to say that I’m always on shuffle.

K. St. Fort: What does it take for an artist to succeed in the Haitian music world?
I think in the Haitian music world you need talent, a hit song, discipline, and a good manager. These things are key! For example Belo, Mika, and Wanito all have these things in common, and I would say that they are quite successful.

K. St. Fort: Now, according to you, what sets you apart from your contemporaries who work in radio?
I think that what sets me apart is the fact that I do things differently. I am a visionary, I strive to do things in a different manner. For example, my show has an app, a podcast, and a website, a Twitter account, a Facebook page—it’s a brand. These are things that people in the field who work in Haiti would not really consider doing.

K. St. Fort: What will it take for Haitian konpa music to reach the mainstream stratosphere of other world musical genres?
I think that we need to define a musical structure for konpa music as the Dominicans did for bachata. The lack of structure makes it difficult to reach a universal level, thus harder to become mainstream.

K. St. Fort: What artists and band do you think are bound to make a big comeback this year?
I had the chance to listen to some of Carimi’s tracks for the next album, and I believe that the fans will love it. I think Alan Cave is also likely to have a big comeback this year.

K. St. Fort: You have any regrets so far in life?
No, I don’t have any regrets. I don’t live with regrets. Neither do I ever expect to regret anything in the future. Any experiences that I have been through have been lessons for me and these lessons are what shaped me into the person that I am today.

K. St. Fort: What are some of the biggest problems faced by radio personalities in Haiti?
People don’t consider being a radio host as a career. I hate it when people ask me “ Qu’est ce que tu fais après la radio?” [French for, “What do you besides radio?”]. I don’t recall ever asking a doctor, or tailor, or teacher what they do once they leave the workplace.

K. St. Fort: You have a foundation The Sunday Project.
The Sunday Project is not a foundation; it was a movement. I did not want to have another nonprofit organization—since there are thousands in Haiti. It was a movement to encourage young people to use their time to do good to other people, especially kids. I stopped the Sunday Project in December 2010, and we are working to resume our activities in the near future. In the meantime, we are still supporting the youth and still working with those in need—without making it public.

K. St. Fort: What makes Carel Pedre happy?
My daughters, my job, a tweet to compliment me, a smile, a simple thank you note, knowing that I was able to help someone in some shape or form, a smile when it was not expected. Knowing that my work is not in vain makes me happy.

K. St. Fort: Are there other radio hosts that you model your career after?
I don’t use anyone as a role model because I started my career in Port-de-Paix and therefore I made myself who I am. If you listen to my show, you won’t find that I share similarities with anyone.

K. St. Fort: Fans love musical performances, but as a radio and media personality you get to see Haitian music from the performance perspective as well as the logistics and inner going-ons perspective. What goes on behind the scenes in the Haitian music industry that fans and other observers do not see?
A lot, a whole lot. Musicians who don’t get along, but have to play together on stage. Musicians who aren’t happy with their paycheck yet stay in the business. Lots of frustration, but also preparation and some fun.

K. St. Fort: What do your parents think of the person you’ve become?
I think my mother is proud, and my father would be more proud.

K. St. Fort: Are you doing anything to prepare the next generation of Haitian radio broadcasters and TV hosts?
Yes, that is one of my projects. I plan on sharing my knowledge and experience with others in the next two years. But, I believe that my accomplishments as a young radio host who started in Port-de-Paix can also inspire others who want to pursue the same path.

K. St. Fort: Do you ever imagine a time when you will no longer be doing radio?
Yes, but if I ever leave the radio, I will be on TV for sure like Dick Clark or Larry King.

K. St. Fort: You are based in Haiti. Do you ever think that there will be a time when you’ll go out of the country for good?
Never. I think that the time has passed for me to come to the U.S for studies. I have also made a name for myself in Haiti and I am honestly comfortable in my country. I love my country too much.

K. St. Fort: Besides radio, what other talents would your fans be surprised to know you have?
I would rather the readers discover for themselves the other talents that I have. I promise they will find out soon.

K. St. Fort: What was the last thing that made you cry? Besides the earthquake.
The last time I cried was because I was disappointed with someone’s reaction towards me.

Chris Jacques is a force to be reckoned with in the world of radio. Jacques is the co-host of “The Bridge” which airs every Friday from 6-8p.m on 980 AM. The show is based in Boca Raton, Florida, and its title refers to the point where Haitian culture meets the American. His mic partner for that show is his father Leslie Jacques, who hosts Creole-language shows on that same station.

Chris Jacques doesn’t just read the news to his listeners, he offers analysis to his listeners, as well as his own take on current events. Jacques doesn’t stop there; he is also a promoter of events, holding Kiss and Tell, a monthly meet-greet-dance-and-party show that he’s conceptualized.

He is very much attuned to what is going on in the Haitian-American community, and uses his knowledge of that demographic to formulate radio segments that speaks to them, and dance parties that will draw them. He is also involved with The Wall Street Group, a consortium of other go-getters.

Q & A

Why don’t we start off with you telling us about yourself?
Where do I begin? I was born in Massachusetts, moved to Florida at age ten, son of one of the most prominent voices in the Haitian community, and I’ve been known to be a bit eccentric. In a good way of course.

So you’ve been doing radio since you were 13?
Yes I have been under my father’s tutelage since 13, I began helping around the office, running what little tasks and errands I could. I even spoke on the air for a show called kids corner, we discussed life lessons and educational concepts. I graduated and went away to Virginia where I later got my degree in broadcasting and have been on the air since.

What goes into preparing for a show?
It all depends. For “The Bridge”, being current is an absolute must. I run a news program daily on 980 AM, so I am consistently tuned into all the events happening around the world. Before every show, it is important to brush up on your facts. We like to practice balanced broadcasting on our network so I usually find most of the major objections to whatever point I want to convey that way I wont be too surprised when we open up the phone lines during our live shows. If I have guests, I make sure to brief them and have them be aware of what to expect. Lastly, I make sure that before I open the mic I am in a relaxed state of mind and that my thoughts are clear and concise.

Now in addition to being a radio host, you have another venture called The Wall Street Group.
Wall Street Group is a collection of like-minded movers and shakers in the Haitian American community. Our goal and mission is help change the perspective of what it means to be Haitian American to the rest of the world, while providing high quality inclusive events that all walks of life can enjoy and leave with a deeper appreciation for our rich Haitian Culture. Our first venture into this has been our super successful event Kiss and Tell. We decided to fuse everything great about the South Beach American club scene with the beauty and exotic nature of Kompa and Zouk. This formula has taken a life of its own and people from all backgrounds look forward to experiencing our unique event every single month. In the future we plan on doing many more diverse events and we are not a company that exclusively caters to the Haitian Community we just made sure to give them first priority.

Do you think that with the competition from the Internet, video games, online streaming, and television, radio has a chance?
Absolutely, radio is unique in a sense because audio imagery is still it’s own art form. Internet, video games, and streaming won’t hinder radio because radio can still implement itself into these various platforms. Right now 980 AM is live streamed every day on our website. All you have to do is click RHAI TV and you can watch and hear our programming. It also saves shows that have already occurred so people can view their favorite programming no matter what time they have available. Instead of competition we view these platforms as innovation that will only maximize our listenership.

What have you come to realize about the radio business that would be a big surprise to some?
Who will really support you and who wont. The radio business has tremendous value when it comes to marketing. Especially 980 AM, we provide many sponsors with the opportunity to really explain their products or services at a very competitive price. Yet somehow most people are still in search of a hand out. It’s very strange. When a person goes to the barber and gets their haircut they never leave the chair saying can I get this for free. Yet in radio, people have a tendency of wanting to promote their business to 1.6 million listeners they otherwise could not project to and want to do so without paying a dime. Believe me making money in the radio is not easy unless you have an iron fist. This was a surprise to me because I never knew how the money was made, but since I do now I have a much deeper respect for my father’s work ethic.

Chris Jacques during a celebratory moment with his parents.

Obviously your father was an influence. But who else has inspired your “radio voice”?
Mark MacCrazy former program director for X102.3. He was an instructor of mine and he was the pinnacle of professionalism. The man inspired me in so many ways, one of which was to thoroughly enjoy what you do. We are given a platform to express our thoughts and opinions to millions every day. There is a great responsibility in that, but it can also be a tremendous amount of fun. He has a very distinct and unique voice and is very light on his feet and witty. He showed me a lot in a very short period of time.

You are also a promoter.
Well like I mentioned before Kiss and Tell has become a phenomenon. When I tell people about it becomes second nature for me to go into great detail, like a parent would do for their only child. I will basically tell you what Kiss and Tell means and the rest you would have to come and experience for yourself. Kiss: The kiss stands for the warm embrace that you discover when entering our one of a kind ambiance. From the lavish fusion, to the upscale décor and dress code, even down to the reception you will receive from Team Wallstreet. This event is sure to leave you in a sense of euphoria. Tell: After an experience like that it will be hard for you to keep quiet. Our goal is to provide you such an enjoyable experience that you will go out and tell the world about what you saw. Hence making you Kiss and Tell.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?
The last time I visited Haiti was when I was thirteen years old. I spent six months there. I will never forget that trip and will definitely be returning soon.

What’s your favorite Haitian dish?
Diri a djonjon avèk poul.

What’s the best thing about being Haitian?
Having a rich and powerful heritage. Haitian culture is very vast. There is so much to learn, so much life, so much history. It is great to be bilingual and we have a strong sense of pride. These are just a few great things about being Haitian.

Let’s discuss Haitian music a little. What do you think Haitian musicians can do to bring the konpa genre to bigger audiences?
Integrate more of the methods used by other genres. We have a tendency of sticking to old bad habits. Also becoming more consistent and producing material more frequently. Some artists wait three or four years to come out with new material, this is unacceptable if they want to attain a broader crowd.

What do you have planned next?
So many things, the station is on the verge of producing a ground breaking never-been-done-before event. Wallstreet group will be launching its newest event and venture and it will surely make a huge buzz in the community. Also plan to see new forays into fashion and design soon.

Why do you think your shows on 980 resonate so much with audiences?
Because I speak from the heart every time I hold a mic. My family has been blessed to have the ability to convey our thoughts eloquently and with conviction that can be felt. I try to use that as much as possible so people can really have a sense of comfort when listening to me. I want people to feel like they really know me, even if they don’t.

Any other thoughts?
Well I would like to formally thank Kreyolicious magazine for conducting this interview. I hope when people read this they have a deeper understanding as to who I am and why I do what I do. I would like to invite everyone to listen to The Bridge every Friday from 6-8pm on 980 AM or live streamed on WSHRadio. Also to make your way to Kiss and Tell every single third Saturday in downtown Las Olas at Suite 100, 300 southwest 1st ave Fort Lauderdale FL 33301.

Dominique was 69 years old when he was shot four times in the chest and neck as he arrived for work at Radio Haïti. A station employee named Jean-Claude Louissaint was also killed in the attack.
–
In the years following Dominique’s assassination, civil society and grassroots groups in Haiti held large public protests and sit-ins calling for justice. International human rights organizations, launched years-long campaigns demanding justice.
There have been several obstructions and irregularities in the investigation into the murders, originating in the police, parliament, and the executive branch.
In 2000, supporters of chief suspect Dany Toussaint, some of them armed, threatened to set fire to the courthouse, and in 2001, Toussaint (then a sitting senator for the Fanmi Lavalas party).
–
In December 2004, more than 75% of documents relating to the investigation disappeared from the Cour de Cassation (Haiti’s Supreme Court), several suspects and witnesses died mysteriously. In March 2015 Aristide’s former chief of security Oriel Jean was gunned down by unknown assailants, after which journalist Guy Delva released an interview in which Jean suggested that Aristide had ordered Dominique’s assassination. To date, nobody have never been brought to justice. –
On Christmas Day 2002, there was an attempt on Michèle Montas’s life, his widow, her bodyguard, Maxime Seïde, was murdered. Amid increasing threats to the safety of Radio Haïti’s journalists, the station closed for good in February 2003.
–
(Source:Wikipedia) –
#haiti #hayti #ayiti #jeandominique #theagronomist #maximeseide #michelemonta #assassination #assassinat #meurtre #supremecourt #guydelva #radiohaiti #justice #humanrights #humanright #radiostation #freedomofspeech #radio #lavalas #aristide #orieljean #miami #florida #jail #prison #corruption