Chris Brown and Lil Wayne in Haiti?

The news of these two pop stars performing a concert in Haiti was the talk of the e-parlors of #TeamHaiti.

It all started when this little flyer started coming up in posts on Instagram, showing the elevated faces of Chris Brown and Lil Wayne.

Then it spread on Twitter and Facebook. “It”—as in the news that Chris Brown and Lil Wayne would actually be performing for the first time in Haiti.

Now, with the repatriation of Haitians and Dominican-Haitians having been of great concern, some wondered if the concert was a good idea. Yet others argued that in spite of problems, life must go on—and the concert should be held—regardless of the opinions of some.

Big O Productions—the concert promoter responsible for the concert—took to the pages of Haiti’s daily Le Nouvelliste to clarify several misconceptions/misunderstandings about the pending concert. First and foremost, it was revealed that it was Kasseem Dean, better known to us folks as Swizz Beatz, who was the co-mastermind of the concert, and that well, said concert would be free to attendees. Swizz Beatz also got on social media to reassure fans that it would be a free concert.

As the days counted down, there was some skepticism expressed by some on Twitter about whether the concert would even take place. Would Chris Brown and Lil Wayne perform in Haiti or not…Well, the skeptics watched until the very connected Karen Civil added credence by tweeting about the concert.

Remembering the time during the Haiti earthquake, when Chris had shown his support, several fans reposted the Haiti photo of him…you know the one of him wearing the “Don’t Hate On Haiti” shirt.

Breezy posted this photo on Instagram of his landing….

And….

…this photo of his farewell.

On concert night, fans came out to see Breezy and Weezy perform. There were some local acts who performed that night as well: T-Micky, Boukman Eksperyans, RoodyRood Boy, Barikad Crew, TPO, and DRZ.

I bet Chris didn’t think that he had that many fans in Port-au-Prince. He held out the microphone so that they could sing along with him.

Here is Lil Wayne, as captured by photographer Jumenes “Dezobri” Coreus

…and Chris Brown as captured by Dezobri/Dezobri Photography for Chokarella.

At last, Haiti had its Chris Brow-Won and its Lay-toe Win. Hooray.

Wyclef in concert! Were you there? If not, here’s a rundown of how things went. Brooklyn Bowl served as the perfect stage for the hip-hop legend.

Take a look at that guitar. Creative huh? Wyclef has made no secret of Bob Marley’s influence on Haitian music. Did you know that at one point in his career, he performed a remake of “No Woman, No Cry”, one of the most popular songs associated with Bob Marley’s musical legacy.

And speaking of legacy, earlier this year, Wyclef celebrated the 20th Anniversary of The Score the certified classic album that made him a superstar. This June will mark another musical milestone for the hip-hop legend, as it will mark the 19th anniversary of the release of his solo album The Carnival.

His much-anticipated album Clefication still doesn’t have a date, but his fans eagerly await it.

Clef is doing a lot of low-key rebranding.

I actually thought he was wearing a two-piece. This is actually a jumpsuit. Ooh, look at his tan Timbs.

And here he is really getting down…arms in the air…

[Photo Credit: M. Eisman]

CLICK HERE TO VISIT WYCLEF’S WEBSITE.

Are you going to be in the DMV area this week and through the month of May? Or do you live there? The Haitian Embassy in DC has been holding several cultural events throughout the month of May. Here are some you should consider attending in the next few days.

Date: Thursday, May 18, 2017
(Re)discovering Haiti through its Arts and its People: Embassy Open House

Those who are in the DMV area and beyond are invited to tour the Embassy in honor of Haitian Flag Day. Patrons will be able to view art pieces from the extensive collections of Galerie Monnin and Fritz Racine. The Embassy’s Pearls of Excellence, an exhibit showcasing the contributions of people of Haitian descent to the advancement of American life, will also be available for viewing. A poetry slam with Haitian-American author, emcee and motivational speaker, Jeff Dess, and Pages Matam, Director of Poetry Events at Busboys and Poet is also part of the menu. Haitian-inspired cocktails will be served.

Location: Embassy of Haiti (2311 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20008)

Time: 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Cost: Free. Must RSVP.

Date: Friday, May 19, 2017

Where Do We Go from Here: A panel conversation on current issues in the U.S. featuring prominent Haitian-Americans at the forefront of sociopolitical affairs who will also reflect on how their Haitian heritage has shaped their political trajectory.

Panelists: Former US Ambassador to South Africa and former Democratic National Committee Executive Director, Patrick Gaspard, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine and former Massachusetts State Representative, Marie St. Fleur

Moderator: Yamiche Alcindor of the New York Times, formerly of USA Today

Location: Busboys and Poets (14th & V 2021 14th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20009)

Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Cost: Free

RSVP: Open to the Public (limited capacity)

Date: Saturday, May 20, 2017

The Soul of Haiti: Acoustic Performance by Internationally Acclaimed Haitian Songstress Emeline Michel

Emeline Michel is known for fusing pop, jazz, blues, and traditional Haitian rhythms into deeply moving, joyful music delivered with a charismatic live show.

Location: Busboys and Poets (Hyattsville – 5331 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20781)

Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Cost: Free

RSVP: Open to the Public (limited capacity)

Date: Sunday, May 21, 2017

Rebuilding Haiti through Entrepreneurship: The Gift That Will Keep on Giving

Pop-up Shop Featuring Products from Haitian-American Designers and Entrepreneurs

The Bien Abyé “Les Jardins de la Mode” pop-up shop will display a collection of products sourced and/or inspired by Haiti. All the displayed items, from fashion accessories to home goods to gourmet products are created by a talented group of Haitian-American entrepreneurs. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase products from: Zesa Raw by Michelle Jean, Artisans du Monde by Nathalie Tancrede, Deux Noirs by Eddy Albertini, Vetiver Les Cayes by Reginald Canal and Bien Abyé by Dayanne Danier. In addition to seeing and buying these beautifully crafted products, you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the designers and entrepreneurs behind these brands.

Location: Embassy of Haiti (2311 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20008)

Time: 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Cost: Free

For more information and to RSVP, please visit click HERE!

1. Garcelle Beauvais, daughter of Claire, got herself a nice little trophy.

Yes, indeed, Garcelle Beauvais received a NAFCA, the equivalent of the African Oscar for her role as Lisa in the film A Girl Like Grace. Congratulations to Gachouchou, Ty Hodges, the film’s director and Jacquelin DeLeon, the screenwriter, and the rest of the cast and crew…Next stop…an Oscar!

2. The band T-Vice went to Colombia.

Here are members of the group after they landed in the South American country in preparation for the San Andres Island Green Moon Festival.

Here are some shots of the group performing for festival-goers.

3. Jason Derulo performing at the iHeart Music Festival.

4. Haiti’s food festival, better known as Gout et Saveurs Lakay came full blast.

The photo above was captured by PleziFactory.

5. Andre Berto recovered!

After his nemesis Floyd Mayweather was declared champion at the rumble in Vegas, Andre Berto was back in circulation. He was all grins and smiles at Irving Plaza in Vegas.

These are the things that had #TeamHaiti buzzing. Tune in next time!

CLICK HERE TO READ PAST EDITIONS!

Haitian-Americans were styling throughout New York Fashion Week. Check it in this special edition of Kreyolicious Fashion.

Here is fashion industry maven Rajni Lucienne Jacques as she swept through New York Fashion Week. She wore a huge faux fur coat, and had her shoulder length hair in a ponytail. When you study her career, you see that she’s been one persistent and determined chick. She started off as an intern and is now one of the most respected fashion editors and influencers in the industry. As an editor at Racked, you know she can’t possibly miss this event. That girl Rajni Lucienne.

Vicky Jeudy attended the Vivienne Tam and Sun Jung Wang shows. These are some of the looks that Vicky sported. She wore a black-and-white dress at Vivienne Tam, and wore a black spaghetti dress. She kept warm with a shawl thrown over her shoulders. It’s been a spectacular year for Vicky Jeudy. Recently, she won yet another SAG Award for her work in Orange Is The New Black. Let’s not forget that she’s going to star in the film adaptation of Caroline’s Wedding, Edwidge Danticat’s short story. That girl, Vicky.

While these other two ladies were dazzling on one side of the coast, fashion bomb and industry influencer Claire Sulmers looked gorgeous in a pink dress suit on the West Coast. She was in attendance at the Colgate Optic White event. She wore strapped sandals with some midnight-dark hater blockers. Claire is the editor of TheBomblife, and the creator of The Fashion Bomb, two popular fashion destinations for fashionistas on the lookout for the next trend.

There you have it folks, Haitian-American fashion mavens at New York Fashion Week and in Los Angeles.