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šŸŽ™ļø The English side of Chokarella
šŸ”Š Music • Culture • Stories from Haiti & the Diaspora
šŸ“From Haiti & USA | šŸŒ Reaching the world
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Franco-Haitian singer @naika continues to release new versions of her songs. On July 16, 2026, she shared a new version of ā€œOne Track Mind,ā€ a track from her album ā€œEclesia,ā€ featuring Canadian-Colombian artist Jessie Reyez @jessiereyez.

The collaboration gives the song a different direction, mixing sounds and languages. The two artists move between English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, reflecting their different cultural backgrounds and musical influences.

The connection between the two artists started on stage in Montreal. Earlier in July, Naïka invited Jessie Reyez to join her during the Montreal International Jazz Festival at Place des Festivals, where they performed ā€œOne Track Mindā€ together.

That live performance came before the release of their studio version. After sharing the song with the Quebec audience, the two singers decided to release their recorded collaboration.

On this new version, Jessie Reyez adds her vocals and songwriting style while Naïka keeps the main elements of ā€œOne Track Mind.ā€ Haitian Creole remains an important part of the track, continuing Naïka’s work around her roots and musical influences.

This release is the second official rework of ā€œOne Track Mind.ā€ Before this version, Naïka released ā€œOne Track Mind Part IIā€ with French-Caribbean artist Kalash. The version featuring Jessie Reyez is now available on major music streaming platforms.

#Naika
#JessieReyez
#OneTrackMind
#Eclesia
#MontrealJazzFestival
#HaitianMusic
0
4 days ago
Haitian-born singer and songwriter Oswald Clerveus @oswaldsxm released his new single ā€œKarmaā€ on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Known for blending konpa, zouk, R&B and soul, the artist continues his musical journey with a track focused on the aftermath of a romantic breakup.

The song tells the story of someone who chooses not to seek revenge after being hurt by a former partner. Through lyrics filled with disappointment and emotional distance, Oswald explores the process of moving on while dealing with the consequences of a painful separation.

Built around the idea of karma as a form of natural justice, the track follows a character who leaves a relationship for someone else and eventually faces the results of that decision. The song mixes a rhythmic production with themes of betrayal, regret and personal recovery.

Oswald first gained public attention after winning the Le Défi Lycéen competition in Guadeloupe in 2007. Over the years, he has become a recognized voice in the konpa and zouk scenes, with songs such as ā€œSolo,ā€ ā€œTourner le dos,ā€ ā€œT’en allerā€ and tracks from his 2024 album Oxygen helping expand his audience across the Caribbean, Europe and North America.

With ā€œKarma,ā€ the artist continues to develop a sound built around energetic melodies and memorable hooks. The single reflects the musical direction Oswald has explored in recent years while addressing themes linked to relationships and personal experiences.

The song has been available on major streaming platforms since July 15, 2026. The official music video was also released on YouTube.

#Oswald
#Karma
#KonpaMusic
#HaitianMusic
#CaribbeanMusic
1
5 days ago
Invited on July 11, 2026, on the show ā€œRiddim and Bass,ā€ hosted by Fatta Diamond @fattadiamond on Irie Jam Radio @iriejamradio in New York, Haitian-American singer Tadia Toussaint @tadia2saint spoke about her journey, cultural identity, and music projects. The artist appeared on 97.1 FM HD3, a station focused on Caribbean cultures in the New York area.

At the beginning of the interview, Tadia talked about her connection to Haiti and her experience as part of the diaspora. ā€œĀ« Ayiti nan kay la! My name is Tadia, born in Brooklyn, raised in Brooklyn. New York made. I’m a proud Haitian diaspora, Haitian-American. Both my parents are Haitian, Ā» ā€ she said.

During her conversation with Fatta Diamond, Tadia shared her vision of music and cultural transmission. She is also a journalist and Emmy-nominated producer, and she discussed her dual identity and her journey between artistic creation and media work. After previous appearances in French and Creole-speaking diaspora media, including Chokarella and Ticket Magazine, this interview allowed her to introduce her work to an English-speaking Caribbean audience.

The singer also spoke about ā€œParty,ā€ a collaboration bringing together artists from different generations. Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Jerry Wonda, the song features Tadia Toussaint, Konpa singer Alan Cavé, and American artist Elijah Blake.

The track also includes a posthumous contribution from Mikaben (Michael Benjamin), who passed away in October 2022 during a concert in Paris. His presence gives the project a special meaning for many Haitian listeners. By presenting the song on Irie Jam Radio, Tadia highlighted a collaboration that connects music, memory, and community.

Through this appearance, Tadia continued to share her Haitian roots and her artistic journey with audiences in the Caribbean diaspora. Her interview on Irie Jam Radio highlighted the role of music as a way to preserve identity and create connections across generations.

#TadiaToussaint
#HaitianDiaspora
#HaitianMusic
#CaribbeanCulture
#HaitianHeritage
0
6 days ago
Between staying close to their loved ones or leaving to build a different life, two cousins face the questions they have kept to themselves for years. With ā€œGREEN,ā€ @katianafarrier brings grief, anxiety and family expectations into an intimate conversation within the Haitian diaspora.

The Haitian-American director and producer presents the 16-minute short film, shot in Miami, Florida. The dramedy explores Black women’s mental health, the weight of family responsibilities and the perception of therapeutic cannabis in some Afro-Caribbean communities.

The story follows Nadia, who returns to Miami to lay her grandmother to rest. She reconnects with her cousin Sabine during a moment shared around cannabis, which becomes an opportunity for both women to reflect on their journeys, their choices and the question at the heart of the film: is the grass really greener somewhere else? Played by Niara Hill and Meggie Chérilus, the two characters represent different paths, one staying close to family in Florida and the other moving to New York to pursue professional ambitions.

Through their conversations, Farrier explores the pressure often placed on eldest daughters in some Black families, caught between family duties and personal dreams. Presented at some screenings as a ā€œHaitian stoner flick,ā€ ā€œGREENā€ uses cannabis as a starting point to discuss anxiety, trauma and cultural views around mental well-being rather than focusing only on its use.

The film also maintains a connection to Haitian heritage through the participation of Nancy St. Léger, choreographer and founder of NSL Danse Ensemble. For Farrier, the project comes from personal experiences with grief, anxiety and the pressure to appear strong while facing uncertainty internally. She describes ā€œGREENā€ as a reflection on the silent struggles people carry and the emotional choices between leaving home to chase dreams or staying close to family.

After its world premiere and Miami debut in May 2026 at the Moving Frames Haitian Film Festival, ā€œGREENā€ continues its festival journey with a New York premiere selection at the Hip Hop Film Festival. 

#KatianaFarrier
#GREENFilm
#HaitianCinema
#HaitianDiaspora
2
7 days ago
The crowd didn't see it coming. During her set at the Montreal International Jazz Festival @festivaljazzmtl, Naïka surprised fans by bringing Jessie Reyez on stage. The unexpected moment quickly spread across social media.

Naïka, who was born in Miami to a Haitian mother with Middle Eastern roots and a French father, was performing a free concert at Place des Festivals on Monday night when she introduced her special guest.

The two artists performed "One Track Mind" together, drawing a strong reaction from the audience. Videos of the performance were shared online by concertgoers and local media, including Virgin Radio Montreal.

The show was part of Naïka's tour supporting "ECLESIA," her debut album released in February. Through the project, she blends English, French and Haitian Creole, reflecting her multicultural background.

During the concert, Naïka also spoke about the importance of embracing different cultures in her music and artistic journey.

The performance took place during the Montreal International Jazz Festival, running from June 25 to July 4 with more than 350 concerts, most of them free. The festival continues Tuesday night with Willow Smith taking the stage at Place des Festivals.

šŸŽ„@festivaljazzmtl 

#chokarellaglobal
0
25 days ago
In New York, Haitian culture is taking center stage at the Brooklyn Paramount. DJ and producer Michaël Brun @michaelbrun kicked off a three-day residency on Thursday, June 25, celebrating ten years of his BAYO tour @bayotour , a project that has become a key gathering point for the diaspora.

The opening night on June 25, 2026 officially launched this series of events. After Boston, Brooklyn Paramount is now hosting BAYO 10, a three-night residency led by Haitian DJ and producer Michaël Brun.

The concept has stayed the same since it started in Haiti at a block party ten years ago. BAYO, which means ā€œgiveā€ in Haitian Creole, is built on a simple idea: people buy tickets without knowing the lineup and discover the artists live.

On stage, different sounds came together during this first night. Konpa, Rara, and electronic music shaped the flow of the show. Trinidadian soca artist KES joined the lineup and spoke to the crowd, talking about regional unity with the phrase ā€œone and only Caribbean.ā€ Haitian musician Paul Beaubrun and his band also performed, along with appearances from artists from the US rap and urban scene.

This New York residency follows previous stops at Prospect Park in 2024 and Barclays Center in 2025. It confirms BAYO’s growing place in the music scene of the Haitian diaspora in New York.

šŸŽ„ @bayotour 

#chokarellaglobal #bayo
0
a month ago
While the 2026 World Cup is about to kick off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, another scene is unfolding away from the stadiums: the studio. As global attention shifts toward football, Jerry Wonda @princewonda gathers several voices on a track that puts Haiti at the center without hesitation.

The Haitian-American producer and bassist drops ā€œHaiti On The Go!!ā€ under Wonda Music @wondamusic, featuring Buju Banton, Top Adlerman, Stichiz, Mickael Marabou, and Colmix. The single was released on Thursday, June 11, right as the World Cup 2026 opens, linking music to a major global sports moment.

Jerry Wonda is no stranger to blending Caribbean sounds with international production. But here, the direction is more direct: Haiti becomes the core of the track, carried by a mix of Creole, English, and Caribbean rhythms built as a shared space between artists from different backgrounds.

In the song, Top Adlerman @topadlermanofficial grounds the message in history, recalling Haiti as the ā€œfirst Black nation to have fought for its liberation.ā€ The track also references the Grenadiers and ancestral memory, keeping the focus tied to national identity.

The chorus, led by Stichiz @stichiz, works like a repeated chant: ā€œAyiti On The Go, We Let The World Know.ā€ It acts like a slogan, designed to move beyond music and into a wider cultural statement about Haiti’s visibility.

Mickael Marabou @mickaelmarabou and @colmixmadada bring a more forward-looking tone, repeating lines such as ā€œNou konn sa nou vo,ā€ ā€œNou genyen deja,ā€ and ā€œViktwa se pou nou li ye.ā€ The message leans on confidence and victory, while Buju Banton @bujubanton adds a broader Caribbean layer, reinforcing themes of resilience and unity across islands.

#JerryWonda #BujuBanton #HaitiOnTheGo #HaitianMusic #CaribbeanMusic #DiasporaHaitienne #WorldCup2026 #TopAdlerman #Stichiz #MickaelMarabou #Colmix
28
a month ago
Fifty-two years apart, the images seem to answer each other. Those from Munich in 1974 meet a new generation about to write its own chapter. Just hours before Haiti’s return to the 2026 World Cup, Michaël Brun @michaelbrun chose the short film format to mark this historic moment.

The Haitian DJ and producer released the 2-minute-23-second video on Thursday, June 11, on YouTube. The film pays tribute to the Grenadiers and their journey back to football’s biggest stage more than half a century after their only World Cup appearance.

Built from archive footage, Haitian landscapes, and current training sessions of the national team, the short film connects the 1974 squad with the 2026 team. ā€œI’m proud to share this film in tribute to the national team ahead of its return to the World Cup, 52 years after its first participation. We are proud,ā€ Michaël Brun wrote when releasing it.

The narration is delivered by Haitian actor Jimmy Jean-Louis @jimmyjeanlouis His voice carries a message about identity, resilience, and belonging, linking players, the diaspora, and the country. ā€œThere was a time when we were still children with one dream in our hearts. We come from everywhere: America, Europe, and Haiti. One thing unites us: the same flag, the same roots, and the same Haiti on our shoulders,ā€ the film says.

It also highlights the unexpected nature of this qualification and the team’s mindset. ā€œThey gave us a 5% chance, we took it. They rank us last, but we are first. Grenadiers, Alaso, we fear no one.ā€ The short film ends with a line that sums it up: ā€œGrenadiers, from 1974 to 2026, we are here.ā€

The project was directed by Leo Volcy with a team of film and audiovisual professionals, including Sam Brave as director of photography and James ā€œJMPā€ Pereira for the 16mm sequences. Invisible North also contributed to the production. On the executive side, Michaël Brun worked alongside former Haitian national team captain Jozy Altidore. The soundtrack blends ā€œEnsemble Selectā€ by Trio Select with ā€œGaya,ā€ a track by Michaël Brun, Lakou Mizik, and J Perry, turning the wait for 2026 into a shared memory and a moment that goes far beyond football.

#chokarellaglobal #worldcup2026
1
a month ago
52 years later… Haiti is going back to the World Cup. šŸ‡­šŸ‡¹āš½

To mark this historic moment, Ayiiti @ayiiti, joins forces with Boukman Experience @boukmaneksperyans, Paul Beaubrun @paulbeaubrun, BadiKamal @badikamall, & T-Ansyto @t_ansyto on a song made to carry the energy of a nation stepping back onto football’s biggest stage.

For the team.
For the fans.
For the country.

This Friday, the journey begins!

 #WorldCup2026 #Haiti
92
2 months ago
The track doesn’t try to set a mood, it jumps straight into it. On the third drop of the "Bayo Sessions" project, Michaël Brun keeps building a musical idea where each release stands on its own while still fitting into a bigger picture.

Released on Monday, May 25, 2026, this new track is part of the ongoing series linked to the Bayo Tour, which is set to mark its 10th edition. These back-to-back releases are slowly shaping the live project before it’s fully revealed to the audience.

In this new step, Michaël Brun brings together two rhythmic worlds: Haitian raboĢ€day and Dominican bouyon. Two styles often heard in Caribbean party spaces, now blended into one sound built on constant energy and rhythmic tension.

#MichaelBrun #BayoTour #AndyBeatz #Raboday #Bouyon
5
2 months ago
French-Haitian singer @naika announced this Monday, May 18, the upcoming release of a Creole version of her song ā€œOne Track Mind,ā€ made in collaboration with Martinican singer Kalash. ā€œWho’s ready!?! One track mind PART II (CREOLE VERSION) ft. @kalash972 coming soon,ā€ she wrote on Instagram.

Set to be released on May 20, this new version of the track continues a musical direction that mixes Caribbean sounds with contemporary pop influences. In ā€œOne Track Mind,ā€ Naïka blends compas rhythms with pop arrangements through a song carried by both Creole and English lyrics.

The collaboration between the two artists comes a few weeks after Kalash appeared on stage at Élysée Montmartre on Thursday, March 5, during Naïka’s concert as part of her ā€œEcclesia Tour 2026.ā€

On the thematic side, the song explores a personal subject through a mix of Creole and English. This artistic choice reflects the different cultural influences present in the singer’s musical universe.

Naïka and Kalash are also expected to collaborate on the song ā€œBam Love,ā€ announced as the 12th track on the singer’s seventh album, Ex Voto, which is scheduled for release on June 12.

#chokarellaglobal #music
0
2 months ago
Haitian producer and keyboardist @t_ansyto released the music video for the song ā€œSet It Offā€ on Monday, May 18, 2026. The track was made in collaboration with Haitian-American artist @sincerelysuav and @afrikenan The song was presented as an anthem meant to support and celebrate Haiti’s national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

The three artists also dropped the official video for the song on digital platforms. According to details shared around the release, the track aims to highlight Haitian culture, along with themes of unity, identity, and connection to the country, as Haiti prepares for the global competition.

The video features several scenes focused on the energy of the Haitian community and diaspora. Images of celebrations, gatherings, and football references are included throughout the clip.

This musical release comes at a time of growing excitement around Haiti’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Haiti will return to the tournament’s final stage for the first time since 1974, more than fifty years after its first appearance.

#chokarellaglobal #worldcup2026
0
2 months ago
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