BOYO Magazine Online - Interview E-Uneek
The Haitian Entertainers' Voice - The Haitian Entertainers' Voice
E-Uneek
The H-Factor Movement 
Interview by Guerda Anglade
Boyomag.com: Who is E-UNEEK KEBREAU?
 
 
E-UNEEK: I’m a Brooklyn born Haitian American. I’m a performer, songwriter, poet, music producer, elected official, community leader, and humanitarian. I am proud to be Haitian and represent my community through music.
 
 
Boyomag.com: It seems you take the role of representing your culture seriously.
 
E-UNEEK: For me it’s a no brainer that I chose the path to represent the country my mother and father are from. I feel God has planted the seed in me to be a beacon of light for my brothers and sisters.
To give them hope, and help create a fighting chance for them through music and education, by creating a platform to promote our culture so our voices are heard.
 
 
Boyomag.com: Has the music business been a big challenge?
 
E-UNEEK: Challenges just make me work harder. Yes, I’ve had my ups and downs, but I believe in fighting for what I want till I get it. In my journey I’ve known of people personally that have the keys that could have easily opened the door of opportunity, but for their selfish reason did not. So, I didn’t trip I continue to use my gift to uplift. I was never a follower so I lead as an example that you can rise above the nonsense that plagues the business.
 
Any challenges I’ve had through my journey, towards accomplishing my dreams, taught me to maneuver and find creative ways to maintain my focus and fuel my passion for music and the people, and what my message stands for. Creating a new genre of music is definitely going against the grain, but “I don’t want to just make music, I want to make a difference through my music”.
 
 
 
Boyomag.com: What motivated you to create a new genre of music called H-Factor?
 
E-UNEEK: I always thought outside the box. One labor day, while looking outside my window from the fifth floor across from the Brooklyn museum, Many years ago; I saw a sea of Haitian flags coming down Eastern Parkway with Sweet Micky’s float and other well known Haitian bands. I said to myself! “If we can have that type of presents in a parade of this magnitude representing all Caribbean people, then we need to create the same presents in this mainstream music industry!” as I was in the process of doing, while enjoying the excitement and pride in the Haitian community on that labor day.
At that moment it felt like a double edge sword seeing the joy and pride but knowing of the reality of the pain and suffering the people in Haiti were dealing with on a daily, those mixed emotions put the icing on the cake for me, which gave birth to this new genre of music H-Factor.
 
H-Factor stands for History, Heritage, Humanity, Harmony, Heart. Thinking to myself by filling that void it will create jobs promote the culture and develop new up and coming artist! And help create an economically viable community.
 
 
Boyomag.com: Would you say people are embracing this new genre H-Factor?
  
E-UNEEK: Yes, judging from the feed back through the first single, an a theme song calledOver 200 Years of Blood Sweat and Tears that broke down the history of Haiti. I felt it was important for people to understand the magnitude of Haiti’s contribution to our race becoming the first black Republic at the Height of slavery! So, I figured if I’m going to represent, let me start by educating people about these important facts. My motto is you have to know where you come from to know where you are going.  
 
Every thing we do in life our history follows us.  The first album I put out representing H-Factor was called As If. At that time I had a group called Assassin which consists of me and my brother Aroma and when the group broke up I continued as a solo artist to complete the goals I set out to reach.
That CD did really well and that was the album that set the tone for the H-Factor Project. Also, I had a TV show called “Antidote Entertainment” where people would call up and request videos and talk to me live. So my song and videos were requested on the show! Also, I got a real genuine feed back which was an excellent way for me to test the market, cause the show had a Haitian and mainstream audience.
 
 
 
Get in touch with E-Uneek to support the H-Factor Movement.
 
By Phone : 646-938-5031
 
 
My music career started out as a Hip Hop and R&B artist and I had the pleasure to work with many well known artists like RUN DMC, LL COOL J, X CLAN, to name a few, I felt that gave me the edge and experience I needed to execute H-Factor, mixing Hip Hop, Jazz, R&B, Salsa, Reggae, Classical, and African drums with Haitian music, Compas, Zouk, Racine, Rara, Twoubadou, and Roots, creating a culture exchange, but keeping the Haitian music the main foundation.
 
Boyomag.com: What artist, deceased or alive inspires you?
 
E-UNEEK: I like cutting edge artists like Beatles, Michael Jackson, Al Green, Doctor Dre, Lady Gaga, Andrea Bocelli, Bach, Jay Z, Run DMC, Tabou Combo, Sweet Micky, Coupe Cloue, Sade, and the list goes on.  I like artist that set trends, Imagine if all painters drew the same picture! You would go to an art gallery and every thing would be the same! That defeats the purpose of being what you call an artist, because that creativity comes from within. I prefer to be unpredictable so you are always wondering. What will he do next? Creating music is only part of what makes a successful artist. There are many more components.
 
 
Boyomag.com: The earthquake! How did it affect you?
                                                                
E-UNEEK : Words alone can not explain the shock and feeling on that January 12, 2010 day. We also lost friends, family in the earthquake which devastated my entire family. The first thing I did was made some calls and reach out to family out there and right away we mobilized to do anything in our power or someone else’s power to help our Haitian brothers and sisters without hesitation. Being there and seeing the devastation, you can’t ever be the same after experiencing that. Level of lost, what we saw life itself didn’t have the same meaning for me, that thin line between what we call life I felt so many really take for granted and how pathetic we are with giving value to things that shouldn’t really matter as much. It was obvious the magnitude of this catastrophic earthquake needed long term support so I also decided to write a song called Ki Moun K’ap Sove Yo (Who’s going to save them) and the proceeds would go to help the victims of the earthquake and we chose to deal directly with the people who needed help, they can pick up the money through money transfers or in hand in Haiti.
So we cut out any miscommunication as far as the money getting lost and not to the individuals it’s for. Also throughout the first year I went on many Radio and TV stations and stated any organization doing things supporting Haiti dealing with the earthquake victims I will perform for free and support the cause. Over a year ago now and Haiti still needs our support. My movement is our movement so I hope our people really take the time to understand the idea of me E-Uneek Kebreau is bigger than just being another artist with words and music there is an obvious voice in our community and thisH-Factor Project piece of the puzzle is an agenda for growth as a people.
 
 
Boyomag.com: What would you consider your biggest accomplishment will be in the business?
 
E-UNEEK: I would have to say continue building a successful company Antidote Entertainment that helps give birth to promising projects. Seeing H-Factor go mainstream and becoming an extension of pop culture, and filling that voice in the Haitian community so we can open doors and promote the culture in a different light. As an artist representing H-Factor myself I understand the task at hand very well. And I believe we will see the connection made between cultures that H-Factor will bring. Walk with me…
 
Boyomag.com: Do you have a last word?
 
E-UNEEK: It’s been a pleasure I like to thank you Guerda and  Boyomag for this opportunity God bless.
 
 
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E-UNEEK
 
 
 
 
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