What one reckless act reveals about the state of our cultural conscience
Arts & Entertainment | The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team | June 30, 2025
A Reckless Gesture with Cultural Consequences
When Reynaldo Martino — son of legendary guitarist Robert Martino and prominent member of the iconic band T-Vice — allegedly attempted to sabotage other musical acts during a public performance, the shockwave extended far beyond the event itself. This wasn’t just a personal misstep or a petty rivalry; it was a flagrant display of ego over unity, sabotage over solidarity. It revealed a cultural rot that, if left unchecked, could undermine what’s left of Haiti’s fragile artistic infrastructure.
“What may seem like one man’s ego trip is actually a symptom of a cultural industry losing its soul.”
Not Just a Musical Feud
Some might be tempted to dismiss Martino’s actions as a trivial dispute between artists. But to do so would ignore the deeper implication: that those who hold the keys to our musical heritage may be slowly eroding its foundation for personal gain. At a time when Haitian music is fighting to stay alive on the global stage — in the face of economic hardship, mass migration, and the collapse of cultural funding — such behavior is not only immature, it is dangerous.
“In a country where culture often serves as the last refuge of dignity, attacking fellow artists is an attack on us all.”
A Pattern of Sabotage
Martino later admitted to having intentionally tampered with the sound system following his opening set during a joint performance with the popular band Klass. His interference caused severe delays, with Klass unable to begin their performance for hours. Martino even bragged about relaxing in his hotel room while Klass continued to struggle with the technical difficulties he created. According to Richie, the maestro of Klass, this wasn’t an isolated incident — similar disruptions reportedly occur regularly when Klass performs after T-Vice. This troubling pattern further illustrates the extent to which ego and sabotage are becoming embedded in the music scene.
“Sabotage is not strategy. It’s a cultural cancer — and the more we excuse it, the faster it spreads.”
Betraying a Legacy
That this act came from the son of Robert Martino — a man whose guitar has scored decades of Haitian resilience — is all the more painful. Instead of preserving that legacy, Reynaldo chose public pettiness. His actions were not the calculated edge of a disrupt-or nor the righteous stand of a provocateur. They were the reckless tantrum of a figure unaware of the symbolic weight he carries.
This is not about race, status, or genre. This is about values — about the intent behind one’s actions and the harm they inflict on a collective artistic identity already under siege.
A Cultural Industry at a Crossroads
Let’s be clear: Haiti’s music scene has long been a place of fierce competition. But there was a time when rivalry pushed artists to excel, not to destroy. What Reynaldo Martino did must be seen as a cultural offense — one that warrants not cancellation, but serious moral reckoning. If left unaddressed, such behavior risks becoming normalized in an industry already battered by internal strife and a lack of professional accountability.
Call for Artistic Maturity
What Haiti needs is not just more talent — it has plenty. It needs artists who understand that their platform is sacred, that their work is communal, and that their behavior sets the tone for younger generations. If Haiti’s music scene becomes a playground for unchecked egos and power grabs, we will lose not only listeners but the very spirit that gives our nation its heartbeat.
“Our music should unite before it divides. If we fracture from within, we silence ourselves.”
Final Note
This is not a call to cancel anyone. It’s a call to grow up — to respect the stage, the audience, and the shared inheritance of Haitian creativity. The industry needs accountability, mentorship, and above all, a collective ethic that places integrity above spectacle.
If we are to preserve our cultural legacy, then moments like this must be met not with silence but with truth.
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