She is the reigning Queen of Haitian Song. A captivating performer, versatile vocalist and one of the premier Haitian songwriters of her generation. For the past two decades, she recorded numerous albums and has appeared on concert stages throughout the Caribbean, Europe, North & South America. Singing both in French and Haitian Creole, her eight albums, Douvanjou ka leve (May the Sun Rise), Pa gen manti nan sa (There's No Doubt), Rhum & Flamme (Rum & Flame), Tout Mon Temps (All My Time), The Very Best, Ban'm Pase (Let Me Pass), Cordes et Ame (Strings and Soul), and Rasin Kreyol (Creole Roots) have catapulted her to international acclaim.
Emeline Michel is beloved by Haitians for combining traditional rhythms with social, political and inspirational content, and using a broad palette of musical styles, including the native Haitian compas, twoubadou and rara. Her latest CD, Rasin Kreyol (Creole Roots), was released on the Times Square label in October 2004. The music reflects her strong attachment to her native culture, even after years of living in France, Canada and now New York. "Living outside of your own country, its easy to sometimes feel that you have let your country down," said Emeline Michel, "Especially while the country is sinking politically. You carry so much love and so many beautiful things about your country that you want to put out into the world."
On Rasin Kreyol, the intertwined rhythms of the manman tanbou, boula, and katabou Haitian drums provide the foundation for original lyrics peppered with Haitian proverbs and positive messages. "Everybody knows that Haiti is in trouble," she says. "This album is my way to be there. It's my chance to show a side of Haitian culture that is positive." |
