Haiti's Musical Traditions, Past and Present

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: