Nathalie Joachim Finds the Healing Power of Music

On the occasion of MoMA’s Creole Histories event, we invited one of the participants, acclaimed musician Nathalie Joachim, to create a playlist to complement the lecture and discussion.

The songs in this playlist connect to the creation of my new album, Ki moun ou ye. All were inspirations to me either while making the work or at earlier points in my practice. Talie Cerin, for instance, wrote the liner notes for my album and is very close to the project as a Haitian songwriter and friend. Björk, by contrast, is one of my musical mamas—I’ve been studying her music my whole life and her production and songwriting influence resonates strongly in my work.

The playlist is more broadly organized around the concept of healing and leaning into music as a pathway toward self-discovery and love, all central themes on Ki moun ou ye. For example, Esperanza Spauling’s “Lest We Forget (blood)” and Sampha’s “Spirit 2.0” offer generous contemplations on these motifs. These perspectives and conversations are vitally important and deeply personal to me. I hope this playlist offers you space for self-reflection and connection.