In this new episode of Motherland ▷ queer Haitian-Canadian singer-songwriter Mélissa Laveaux takes us on a journey into her musical world as she digs through her heritage and musical inspiration.

We met Mélissa last July, during her one-month artist residency at Villa Medici – Accademia di Francia in Rome, while she was investigating the story of Haitian-American queer sculptress Edmonia Lewis, writing songs about her and interviewing black italians about their life experience in Italy as creatives.

Radyo Siwèl is Mélissa’s new album, it was conceived around the songs sung during the American military occupation of Haiti from 1915 to 1936 and it will come out on 2 February. Through her music Mélissa proudly explores her roots and brings back to life the stories, the songs, the crafts and the dreams of Haitian folklore and Voodoo culture.

Created by| Celine Angbeletchy and Johanne Affricot
Directed by | Johanne Affricot
Camera | Marco Brunelli, Claudio Ceccarelli
Editiing | Marco Brunelli

Motherland ▷ is GRIOT TV’s series of exclusive short docs spotlighting the artists, cultural producers, and creatives who inspire us—from Africa and the African Diaspora, from Italy and beyond.

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