Last week there was a tragic accident
in Haiti. Three Haitian hip hop singers, another band member, and the
driver of the group Barikad Crew died in a terrible car accident.
According to
News reports, they were electrocuted and burned beyond recognition
when a high tension electrical wire struck their car after hitting a
divider. The following day, a long time girlfriend of one of
the singers, K-Tafalk, committed suicide 24 hours after the death of
her long time boyfriend.
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In Haiti you will hear and watch music from Barikad Crew’s album on
an almost 24 hour basis on the radio and television. Young people
from all over the country are swarming to the scene of the horrific
accident which took the lives of 5 people, including 3 members of
the Barikad Crew, the most popular rap group in Haiti with record
album sales, and a very loyal following.
In the seaside neighborhood of Carrefour, there were reports of
young people attempting to throw themselves to the sea in
desperation caused by the loss of the members of this group who
meant so much to them. The fiancée of the lead member, Papa Katafal,
who was several months pregnant has already committed suicide, and
the mother of another group member is reportedly hospitalized and
undergoing medical treatment due to the shock of hearing of her
son’s death.
This accident is reverberating throughout Haiti, a country where
hopes are easily dashed, and promises often broken. The Barikad Crew
who had many plans, and were set to soon visit the Unites States,
were believed to be the ones who would finally bring Kreyol Hip-Hop
to the masses. Discussion groups on dozens of Haitian websites are
full of nothing but expressions of shock and condolences.
The three singers
amongst the 5 who lost their lives Jean Walker Sénatus, aka K-Tafalk - Johnny Emmanuel, aka Dade- Junior Badio, aka Déjavoo Also perished are the
drummer Joe and a friend driver Guichard
The young Haitian generation is now grieving.
Even though the car and the bodies
have been removed, that does nothing to prevent fans and curiosity
seekers from going to Route Aeroport to take a peek. They are coming
in droves to reflect, ask questions, and pay their last respects to
a music group that gave them hope.
"Nathalia Léonidade Bertrand", 25
years old girl friend of K-Tafalk who commited suicide with a gun
shot on Monday.
PICTURE OF THE MARCH
IN
HONOR OF THE FALLEN SOLDIERS
PICTURES FROM FUNERAL
(Courtesy of Minkoze.com)
Announcement
UN DERNIER ADIEU AUX MEMBRES DE BARIKAD CREW
SYMPATHIES À LEURS PROCHES !
Montreal le 20 juin 2008 – La Fondation Fabienne Colas et le
Festival International du Film Haïtien de Montréal présentent leurs
sympathies aux proches des 4 membres du groupe Barikad Crew et leur
chauffeur qui ont perdu la vie dans un tragique accident. Ces
talents, qui ont rendu l’âme dans de telles circonstances, ont
laissé plus d’un en larmes et sans mot. Une terrible perte pour le
monde culturel ainsi que pour Haïti toute entière.
Un hommage leur sera rendu le 11 juillet 2008, au Théâtre de Verdure
du Parc Lafontaine, lors de la soirée ciné-spectacle « Haïti en
Folie » à Montréal, organisée par la Fondation Fabienne Colas.
Dans ces moments de douleurs, nous nous baissons bien bas pour
saluer leurs départs. Ils auront grandement contribué à enrichir le
patrimoine culturel haïtien et à inspirer les jeunes et moins jeunes.
Que la terre leur soit légère! Nous pensons à leurs familles, leurs
collègues, leurs amis et leurs innombrables fans inconsolables. Que
l’énergie et la flamme de Barikad Crew ne meurent jamais en nous!
Que le mouvement Rap aille encore plus haut et plus loin
Our sincere
condolences - From RockMasters Entertainment
