Entertainment
WANITO "The Voice of Haiti"
Sep 29, 2013 - 8:54:04 PM


WANITO, the man known as, “The Voice of Haiti,” is preparing to reignite the Caribbean/Haitian Music Industry (HMI) with his sophomore album.
“The meeting of preparation with opportunity generates the offspring we call luck,” best describes the talented artist, Louis Pascal Juanito. He is commonly referred to as the Haitian Bob Marley due to his writing style and the way he portrays Haiti through his lyrics. The young artist is able to bless any crowd with his versatile, energetic voice, his pure, spirited style and catchy lyrics.

Juanito, best known as his stage name WANITO, was born on April 21, 1988 in Jeremie, Haiti – a city approximately 186 miles southeast of the country’s capital. He was raised by his mother, until he moved to the Port-au-Prince to continue his secondary education at Lycée de National de Petion-Ville. Though he was very shy, he continued to follow his dreams by performing around students, friends, and family. Upon hearing his unique voice, his peers encouraged him to participate in talent shows like, “Konkou Chante Nwel,” a Christmas contest run by Telemax and “Digicel Stars” produced by Digicel, a Caribbean-based cellphone company. Although he didn’t make the finals of either competition, he wasn’t discouraged. Rather, it fueled the embers deep within him.

PeaceTones, a Boston-based NGO aims to empower musicians in developing countries by teaching them how to create, protect, and sell their music throughout the world. In April 2011 the NGO held a competition called, “Haiti Chante” (Haiti Sings). Gracefully, WANITO was declared the winner, and there, he found his break. With this victory, many doors were opened for him; the NGO brought him to the US to record his first-ever solo album. On December 2011, WANITO released “Biyografi Mwen” (My Biography).


His extensive involvement in the Haitian community made WANITO a star even before the album hit the market. In just five days, more than 2500 copies were sold, an unprecedented accomplishment in the HMI, a place where not everyone can afford to buy original CDs. Two songs from the album, “Gadon Rèv” and “Blokis” topped various FM radio stations within days of the album’s release. Very soon WANITO was trending. Many fans within the Haitian community recorded their own versions of “Gadon Rèv” before WANITO himself could even release the single’s video.

WANITO’s new single, “Bezwen Mennaj,” released on Sept 2, 2013, hit the air with 5,000 views in the first hour. The success of this new single continued with over 20,000 views of the music video online on its release date, September 9th. “Bezwen Mennaj” is now a catch phrase in Haiti.
The Haitian Parliament awarded WANITO the title, “Star of The Year,” during an official event witnessed by journalists, lawmakers, government officials and a collection of top Haitian artists. This was just the beginning of WANITO’s dream; he continuously performed across Haiti, lighting stages on fire with his dynamic, heartfelt performances. At the beginning of this year, WANITO was included on a list of the “Top 12 Personalities Of The Year 2011,” published by “Le Nouvelliste,” the oldest Haitian daily newspaper, alongside Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was acknowledged for her deep commitment to Haiti after the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010.

WANITO continues to surprise his fans and the media through his performances. He has made headlines in most of the widely-read newspapers, blogs, and on-line magazines in Caribbean/Haiti and in the Haitian diaspora. He has performed at the prestigious SOBs in Manhattan, NY, followed by a sold-out concert at Hollywood Live in Florida, and many Festivals in front of hundreds of cheering fans.

Performing regularly in front of crowded arenas of varying sizes, it is clear that Haiti and its diaspora have fallen in love with this young man, who remains humble and wise despite his unexpected success. WANITO is now on tour visiting Atlanta, New York, Boston, Canada, and Europe before the year’s end. Haiti celebrates his talent as a singer, composer, and songwriter. WANITO’s lyrics have something for everyone, poor or rich, young or old. He is currently in the studio working on his second album—scheduled for release on December 2013. WANITO aims to inspire everyone to follow his or her dreams. He believes that everything is possible if you put your mind to it—the proof is in his music. SA SE WANITO

Follow Wanito on Twitter @Wanito88
And Facebook: Wanito

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