BAYO at Barclays: A Night of Haitian Pride, Caribbean Joy, and Community Power

What happens when you blend Haitian soul, Caribbean rhythm, and a crowd that came ready to feel everything?

You get BAYO.

Michael Brun’s beloved celebration of Haitian and Caribbean culture took over Barclays Center — for the first time ever — and Brooklyn didn’t just show up… we showed out.

From the moment I stepped outside the venue, the energy was already pulsing. Flags waving. Music blasting. Smiles everywhere. People had been lined up long before the doors opened, full of pride, full of purpose.

I spoke to a couple who flew in from Tennessee just to be there. That’s how real it was. When I asked why they made the trip, they told me they couldn't miss it for the world. Especially now, when times are hard for Haiti — it's a chance to show true unity.

And that’s exactly what BAYO delivered: a reminder that no matter where we come from, we’re still one people.

It wasn’t just a concert — it was a cultural reset.

Every person I spoke to had a different story, but a shared feeling: that being at BAYO meant belonging. Whether they were there for the music, to represent their flag, to meet up with friends, or to just feel joy — they all came for something bigger than themselves.

Inside the arena, that energy only multiplied.

Michael Brun did what he always does — brought the islands together with a sound that’s both ancestral and futuristic. Haitian. Guyanese. Trini. Afrobeat. Konpa. Soca. Dancehall. It was all there. And it was beautiful.

And talk about uniting people from all over... I ran into a friend from college who I had no idea was going to be there! He summed up his feelings about Michael Brun perfectly:

“He’s putting Haitians on the map, but he’s also opening the doors for others.”

That’s what makes BAYO powerful. It’s not just about where you’re from — it’s about how we come together. About celebrating the full range of who we are across the diaspora.

I’ve been to a lot of events that say they’re for the culture, but BAYO felt like the culture made it. The people were the moment.

And I’m so glad I got to be a part of it.

You can watch the full video from that night here — but trust me, the spirit of BAYO? That’s something you have to feel for yourself.