Still Haitian

By including Kassav, the Compas Festival is recognizing the common history of Haiti and Martinique. "People think there's some kind of competition between zouk and konpa, which is ridiculous because we can be inspired by the other," Béroard asserts. "We need to be together. If we're fighting, we might never get out of our ghetto."

King Kino agrees. Pierre "Kino" Divers, former frontman for the konpa band Phantom, will be presenting material from his upcoming solo debut at the Compas Festival. He's best known for his 1992 song "Cowboys," a harsh critique of the thugs who forced out Aristide soon after he was first elected and then terrorized the populace. Kino later rewrote the song in 1997 in response to the attack on Abner Louima, a Haitian man picked up and sexually assaulted by New York City police after a Phantom show at Club Rendez-Vous in Brooklyn. But his target for the current trouble in Haiti is more general.

"I blame every single Haitian for what's happening in Haiti," he insists over the phone from Long Island. "This is a family that's been divided. Instead of pointing a finger at somebody, I'd rather point my finger at myself. I'd rather ask what I could do for my country. We must find a way to find security for the people of Haiti and create jobs." Kino has long contributed money to social causes. Even though he now spends less time in the country, he still feels connected. "No matter who you are, if you're a superstar or whatever they might call it, you're still a Haitian."