Haiti's Musical Traditions, Past and Present

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

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  • Coverage of the Haiti Earthquake

    The 7.0 earthquake that struck near Port-au-Prince on January 12 is the worst Haiti has seen in over 200 years. Haiti's government says it buried 170,000, and millions are still in need of help. It was already the most impoverished country in the western hemisphere and nobody yet knows the extent of the devastation.

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  • “ People in the streets right now have absolutely nothing except the breath in their lungs.
    — Elizabeth McAlister

Haiti’s music reflects the country’s diverse heritage and responds to its current struggles. 

We speak this morning with Elizabeth McAlister, religion professor at Wesleyan University in Connecticut and author of “Rara! Vodou, Power, and Performance in Haiti and Its Diaspora.” She also has produced two albums of Haitian music: "Rhythms of Rapture: Sacred Musics of Haitian Vodou" and "Angels in the Mirror: Voodoo Music of Haiti." We also hear from Marlin Mayala (AKA Mr. Reo), a New York-based rapper and musician with deep roots in Haitian music. His grandfather and his father played in internationally touring acts from the country.

Below, a video of Haitian and creole hip-hop artists assembled by Madman JP after the 2008 flood in Haiti:

Guests:

Marlin Mayala and Elizabeth McAlister

Comments [1]

Maurice from San Francisco Ca.

Very interesting whomever is behind this song and video clip is extremely talented i am haitian but not into haitian music that much the production and delivery by each artist is very touching and sincere.
Haitian music with such caliber makes me proud to be haitian...
The producer definitely thinks outside the box congrats very nice work.

God bless Haiti...

Jan. 20 2010 01:10 AM
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