Though she was introduced to many during Friday night's (January 22) "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" telethon, singer Emeline Michel is not new to the country's fight for survival.

Born in Gonaïves, Haiti, Michel is affectionately known as the "Joni Mitchell of Haiti." Beginning as a member of her local church choir, she blossomed in talent and traveled to America, where she studied her craft at the Detroit Jazz Center. Michel returned to her native country as an experienced singer. Soon, she recorded her first album, 1987's Douvanjou ka leve (May the Sun Rise), which contained the popular track, "Plezi Mize" ("Pleasure in Misery"). The album's "Tankou Melodie" ("Like a Melody") and "Flanm" ("Flame") followed, establishing Michel as a mainstay in the music scene of Haiti and the Antilles.

Then Michel moved to Paris to explore the opportunities of the French music scene and record her fourth album. Tout Mon Temps featured the single "A-K-I-K-O," which encouraged her native country to quell its political unrest and reflect on happier times. The track became a global dance hit in countries including Belgium, Africa, French Guiana, Quebec, Chile and Japan.

Deciding to explore French Canada next, Michel signed with a Montreal record label and quickly became the "it" girl of the country's scene. Her fifth LP, Ban'm Pase, blended her jazz, blues and samba roots. Several years later, Michel began her own production company, Production Cheval de Feu (Horse of Fire), and subsequently released Cordes et Ame (Strings and Soul), which garnered Haiti's "Musique en Folie" award for Best Haitian Album and Best Production in 2000. Four years later, Michel released Rasin Kreyol (Creole Roots), and "Beni Yo" ("Bless Them") became an encouraging anthem during the country's political turmoil.

Last year, Michel released Reine de Coeur (Queen of Hearts), which was recorded in Haiti, New York, Montreal and Burkina Faso with a stable of 35 musicians.

Over her career, Michel has performed for the Clinton Global Initiative, NPR, CBC Radio, Canadian television and at festivals like Reggae on the River and the Montreal International Jazz Festival, as well as New York City's Carnegie Hall.

Learn more about what you can do to help with [article id="1629607"]earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti[/article], and for more information, see Think MTV. Visit HopeForHaitiNow.org or call (877) 99-HAITI to make a donation now.

iTunes customers can exclusively pre-order the "Hope for Haiti Now" full-performance album ($7.99) and the full two-hour video telecast ($1.99). Pre-orders will be delivered in the days following the telethon. Individual audio performances will also be available for purchase and download for 99 cents each in the days following the telethon. Apple, the record labels and the artists will donate their share of the proceeds to Haiti relief funds managed by "Hope for Haiti Now" charities, including the Red Cross and Wyclef's Yele Haiti foundation. Performances will also be available for purchase in the days following the event through Amazon's MP3 service and Rhapsody, through distribution provided by INgrooves.