38 minMarlène Désir
Recording Artist
What I Wish I Knew Before Signing
Marlène Désir — Recording Artist
"I signed the paper before I read the paper. Nobody warned me."
Lakou Academy
Lakou Academy
Unfiltered conversations with the people building Haitian music. Artists, managers, label executives, producers, promoters — real talk, real knowledge.
🔒 Full episodes are exclusive to Pro and Industry members. Free members get access to previews only.
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Inside the Industry
Real conversations. No filter. Straight from the people building Haitian music.
52 minJean-Paul Mesidor
Independent Label Owner
Label Executives
Building a Label From Nothing
Jean-Paul Mesidor — Independent Label Owner
Jean-Paul broke down what it actually took to start a Haitian-owned label with no investors and no blueprint. The conversation goes deep on contracts, distribution, and the cost of staying independent.
"The industry didn't have a door for us so we built our own."
38 min
45 minRicardo Blanc
Artist Manager
Managing Haitian Artists in the Diaspora
Ricardo Blanc — Artist Manager
"Managing a Haitian artist in Brooklyn is three jobs in one."
29 minNadine Joseph
Independent Artist
How I Got My Music on Spotify Editorial Playlists
Nadine Joseph — Independent Artist
"I pitched for two years before they answered. Two years."
61 minPanel: 3 Industry Veterans
Producers · Managers · Promoters
The Business of Kompa in 2025
Panel: 3 Industry Veterans — Producers · Managers · Promoters
"Kompa never died. The industry around it just hadn't grown up yet."
41 minDJ Kréyòl
Producer
Producing Hits Without a Big Budget
DJ Kréyòl — Producer
"A laptop, a 50-dollar mic, and patience. That's the whole studio."
33 minSophie Lafortune
Artist
From Port-au-Prince to Montreal: Building a Music Career Across Borders
Sophie Lafortune — Artist
"Home is the audience. Everywhere else is the tour."
55 minMarcus Pierre
A&R Director
What Labels Are Actually Looking For Right Now
Marcus Pierre — A&R Director
"We're not looking for talent. Talent is everywhere. We're looking for clarity."
"The knowledge was always there. Now it has a home."
— Lakou Music Academy
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