T-VICE
FOREVER

Rele FBI, vi’n sove nou, rele ponpye, vi’n sove nou, mezanmi kote la polis, vi’n sove nou, call the FBI, call the police, call the fire department to save us, ‘cause T-Vice can set a crowd on fire. There’s no event in Washington, DC, that rallies the youth of the Haitian community like a T-Vice party. The Dance Plex, in Rockville, Maryland, never quite saw anything like this, hundreds of Haitians crowding the club to capacity, going out of their minds in delight. What can we say about T-Vice that hasn’t already been said?

Eleven thirty at night, outside the club the most fashionable players and playettes mingled under a clear moonlit sky. At the ticket table, there are more negotiations going on than at the United Nations. Many are trying to get in without tickets, but the guest list is very short. Once past security, all heads turn to see who’s coming into the door. Roberto and the rest of T-Vice, Reynaldo, James and Gerald, stand heads above the crowd. The club deco is eighties chic, with Pac Man paintings on the walls, Miami Vice posters on the wall, and Ghostbusters cardboard cutouts hanging from the ceiling. The dance floor is already packed, and many more people are hanging by the bar. A black light floods the whole place, making all the beautiful people literally glow.

Young ladies dress in their designer best, and young men dress to match and impress. Nadine stood quietly in the back, enjoying the atmosphere. Darline, Natasha, Elizabeth, and many more, stood close to the stage, where you can find the ultra cool. The young men, were not far behind, Master Gee stood to the side, coolly watching and enjoying the show. Jean-Michel arrived late, but quickly got up to speed in the scene. Wollado, Blast, Ralph, and Slick, the areas best dj’s, could be found on the dance floor among the screaming crowd.

Perhaps T-Vice’s greatest strength is the vision of their mother/manager, Jessie Al-Khal. She stood to the side of the stage, watching over her boys like any mother would, but also grooving to the music like any fan would. Being the sons of legendary guitarist, Robert Martino of Top Vice, does not equal success, but hard work and talent, along with guidance can continue a family legacy. T-Vice's work ethics are unrivaled on stage. The short break that the band took during the show was not long enough for DJ Ralph to display his skills. The band dropped hit after hit, discouraging the crowd from taking that “Haitian party break,” rushing to the tables after every song. They built a momentum and drove the crowd into a frenzy, making what started as a bal into a concert, or better yet, a party.

It seems that nothing can save the community from having a good time at a T-Vice party. After so many years of rocking like this, Roberto announced what is only logical. They are going to take konpa to the next level. T-Vice and Wyclef are developing the next generation of konpa music. It seems that the youth will not be safe from having the time of their lives in the future either.

T-Vice, jwe konpa’w, jwe konpa’w, jan w vle.

© EchodHaiti.com, July, 2003