Lil Haiti has built a fantastic following over 340k on Instagram, championed multiple coat drives for women in New York City, and has dropped a project titled ‘The Big Zoe,’ which pays homage to his Haitian culture. He wants to champion his home country and be a role model for the youth so I wanted to touch more on that side of Lil Haiti.
Source: Lil Haiti / Lil Haiti
Raven Paris: May 1st started Haitian Heritage month, what does this month mean to you?
Lil Haiti: Um, it means a lot, man because you can’t forget where you come from. You feel me? I didn’t grow up in Haiti, but I’m in tune with my culture you know what I mean? so It’s just mean a lot to be able to celebrate this month.
Raven Paris: So let’s talk about growing up Haitian. When it came down to you being a music artist, were your family supportive?
Lil Haiti: Some not all, but something about myself is that I believe in myself so much that it didn’t really bother me, who supported me or not. I feel, you know, there’s a lot of things in life we do need the support on and because we don’t have the support, we stop. I went through that path before when I used to play high school football. I didn’t really have the support. My family didn’t really show up to my games and then I broke my ankle. That broke me, so I stopped doing it. As far as music, honestly, I didn’t care If I had the support or not, I just loved doing it. Music puts me in a peace of mind. I like my peace; so if they supported me or not, it didn’t really matter because it brought peace to me. I just enjoy doing it. If you happen to fall in love with my music, I appreciate you. I do appreciate support. I’m not saying, I’m not appreciative, It’s just that I don’t let that slow me down because lack of support can do that to you.
Raven Paris: I love that mindset, it keeps you focused. I feel like we all have had events or things that happened to us, whether it’s in our childhood, or teen years that shaped us to become the people that we are now. What was that event or experience for you that made you who you are right now?
Lil Haiti: I had an amazing role model, which is my dad who passed. The way he raised me allowed me to become the great person that I’ve seen him being towards other people. The people around me where I grew up was less fortunate than I was. When I noticed that I was able to get help from my father and I was able to get whatever I wanted or needed from my mom who was out of the state I started giving my things to the less fortunate who I didn’t see have it. I would give them my last. Whenever my mom would send me clothes, sandals, or sneakers I would give it to the other kids that didn’t have it. I knew I could just make a phone call to my mother or I’d tell my father, and he would give me money to get a new one. They were unable to do that so that really shaped me to appreciate life. That shaped me to want to help others, you know what I’m saying? As I got older, that’s just something that I love to do, to help people. I’ll give my last, before I worry about myself, because I know I can get to it. So that’s shaped me to become who I am today.
Raven Paris: That makes sense why you’re so big into community. So let’s speak about those things that you do now to give back?
Lil Haiti: I do giveaways on social media where I buy them lunch, every Friday. I will pick about 25 to 30 people. They pick whatever they want to eat and I just send them the money to their cash app. I don’t care if it was $10, $12, or $25. As far as the community, I also do market runs and let the people get whatever they want. Just doing as much as I can. None of this is money from the label btw, this is from me working my nine to five. You know what I’m saying? I know that it’s going to bring a different type of blessing to me, so I just do it.
Raven Paris: Yup, the blessings come right back full circle. People fail to realize they’re blocking their own blessings by being selfish. Now let’s get into “The Big Zoe” project, Congratulations btw… It’s been getting a lot of good feedback on it. If someone was just hearing about you, right? Which track would they learn the most about you?
Lil Haiti: “Where The Cap At” cause i’m really like that, in real life. If I have it, it’s yours, you know what I’m saying? Like I’m for the people. So whatever I have, that I can give to the people, I’m going to give it to them. You know what I’m saying? Because I know I’m going to get it back and I know, God is just going to bless me different. That’s just who I am.
Raven Paris: “Where The Cap” featured Flipp Dinero, now if you had the opportunity to collaborate with your top five artists who would it be?
Lil Haiti: I say Meek, Nicki Minaj, Young Thug, Lil baby, definitely and Rick Ross.
Raven Paris: More celebrities and blog sites are acknowledging you, how does that make you feel?
Lil Haiti: It feels great. It’s given me more ammunition to get up there, to get more money and help the less fortunate that’s where I’m going with it, to be honest with you. Like everything that I do, is to help. I’m going to benefit off of it to take care of my family; but it’s really more about giving back cause that’s what my father did. That’s what my father was about, giving back. He did what he had to do to take care of us, but he was more about giving back. So, I’m just closer to my goals. Hopefully, the music keeps getting bigger and more money comes in. The more money come in, the more I can give it back to the people. It’s a different type of flex to know that someone is okay today because you helped them. I want you to love me; not just for the music but because of the great person that I am. I just want that to be noticed.
Raven Paris: You have good taste in fashion. How would you explain your style? Have any favorite designers?
Source: Lil Haiti / Lil Haiti
Lil Haiti: Listen, you might laugh at me. I don’t really have no favorites. Something that costs $20 I make it look good. No disrespect to those high fashion brands out there that’s making millions off the culture. I’m not saying anything about them, but what I’m saying is I wear whatever you give me and I’ll make it look good. As long as I like it, I don’t care. I’m not trying to impress anybody out there. I’m not trying to be somebody that I’m not, and I’m not trying to wear a thousand dollars worth of whatever. I look great in a blazer and I look great in slacks. I’m open for all types of fashion. I’m not calling out no names, so whoever wants to come in and work with me, come on. You know what I’m saying? I’m a fan of all of y’all *laughs*
Raven Paris: I feel that *laugh* When it comes down to artists trying to break into the industry, what is the best advice you could give to someone whose trying to make a name for themselves?
Lil Haiti: You gotta have discipline. Until this day, I still have a, nine to five. I’m not gonna lie to you. I’m not telling every artist to have a nine to five, maybe you can’t handle that pressure. Maybe you can’t do music and have a job but if you’re able to do it, don’t feel discouraged or feel like somebody is going to look at you like you lame because you work. I just like securing the bag and taking care of my family. So don’t think that having a nine to five is lame, go for it, If you can handle it. Another thing, don’t be entitled. Have respect for people, which is a part of discipline, because like I said, nobody owe you anything. Be humble. Be patient, getting in this industry is a game, not an overnight thing and if it is overnight thing, it may not last because you can’t build a house without foundation. The house is definitely going to fall. Connect with more people, you know what I’m saying? You have to make sure you have a future. You know what I’m saying? You can’t just do it for a quick, come up. You know what I mean? Just stay positive.
Raven Paris: Those are all great tips. You are a great person. How can we continue to support you? How can we follow you?
Lil Haiti: Thank you, You guys can follow me The real little Haiti, on everywhere, Apple music, YouTube, You know what I’m saying? Connect with me, man. It’s not about the music. Like I said, anybody reading this or listening, tap in with me, connect. You can come and talk to me. Tell me about your, tell me about what happened the day before. Tell me about your problems, how you need help, how can we help you? How can we do something that could benefit you and your family? If you having a hard time, what can I do to meet you halfway to kind of like, ease it off a little bit for you, you know what I’m saying? So don’t just come for the music, come in because you want a peace of mind. I’m willing to be a peace of mind for you. My fans, my supporters have helped me pay, put food on my table to take care of my family so the most of what I could do is return that favor and put it right back on your table to make sure you good. You know what I’m saying?
