Chico Slimani
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| Chico Slimani | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Yousseph Slimani |
| Also known as | Chico |
| Born | April 2, 1971 Bridgend, Wales, UK |
| Origin | Oujda City, Morocco Crawley, England, UK |
| Genre(s) | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Label(s) | Sony BMG |
Yousseph Slimani (born April 2, 1971), known as Chico, is a British pop singer of Moroccan descent who rose to prominence in the United Kingdom after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2005 series of the talent show The X Factor.
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[edit] Early life
Chico Slimani was born in Bridgend, South Wales to Muslim parents, Chico's father is a Sufi, but when his parents split up he went to live with his grandparents in Morocco when Chico was two. During his time in Oujda City (Morocco), Chico worked as a mountain goat herder but when he was thirteen years old, he decided to move back to the UK, living in Crawley, West Sussex
Chico was popular in school but was bullied as well. When he desperately needed to raise money to help his grandmother back to health, Chico had several different jobs, including hairdresser and electrician.[citation needed]
In 2005, Chico auditioned for The X Factor. He says he practiced his singing mostly in the bathroom, and he grew up with Arabic music.[citation needed]
[edit] The X Factor
Chico's initial audition was notable because judge Simon Cowell walked out in disgust after Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne voted him through to the second round.
His category was mentored by Osbourne, who put him through to the live television phase, after particularly memorable performance at the Osbournes' home, in which he jumped into a shallow pool and danced in the water (still holding a live microphone).
After the initial live shows, he was widely mocked in the press, but after changing the style of his performances, to become slightly more self-mocking, he began to win voters over. He also became notable for being the first contestant in a Simon Cowell show (Pop Idol, American Idol, The X Factor) to sing a self-written song, the suitably camp and ironic "It's Chico Time", named after his catchphrase (Chico: "What time is it?", audience: "It's Chico time!")
As well as judges, it was notable that Cowell himself was won over during the course of the series, commenting that Chico was a born entertainer, even if he wasn't the recording artist the show was supposedly looking to discover. He failed to reach the final of the ITV talent show, being voted out in the third from last episode. It was eventually won by singer Shayne Ward in December 2005. Slimani had originally planned to release a single of It's Chico Time before Christmas, but had to wait due to contractual reasons. On its eventual release, it toppled Madonna from the UK Number 1 spot. "I'm absolutely loving every minute of it, and looking forward to releasing the single at last," he was stated as saying.
Since then, he has appeared on The X Factor tour, and continues to make numerous public appearances all over the UK. Chico is currently on tour at Butlins, performing full 45 minute sets along with live band and dancers as part of The Chico Experience. He also appeared in Sterling Mills in Tillicoultry in one of these 45 minute sets.
[edit] Music and film career
Chico released his debut single, "It's Chico Time", in February 2006, entering the UK Singles Chart at number one on 5 March 2006. He also took part in a nationwide X Factor tour, which began in Newcastle upon Tyne. "It's Chico Time" remained at number one for two weeks. Chico's follow up single, a cover of the song "D.I.S.C.O." entered the chart at number twenty-four the following August.
Chico is involved with a production company called Unity Films, and his daughter appeared in one of their short films, Left Holding Baby, for which Chico composed the music. He also stars in the BAFTA nominated short film 'Winner Takes All', along with his brother, actor JC Mac. Chico will also appear in the company's upcoming feature film Lunchbox, which is loosely based upon his days as a stripper.
Chico's next single 'Curvy Cola Bottle Body" was released on 8th October 2007 and on 15th October, it has reached #40 in its first week in the chart.
In December 2007, Chico made an appearance on BBC 2's music panel comedy quiz show, "Never Mind The Buzzcocks", as part of the "identity parade" feature. He was correctly identified by the panel.
Chico made a guest appearance in the Christmas special of Ricky Gervais' TV series "Extras" taking part in a mock up of Celebrity Big Brother.
The video for Chico's fourth single Are You In It For Love has been premiered on his official website. It's release date has yet to be announced. His debut album will be titled Lights Camera Action and will be released in May followed by a TV Show according to the official website.
These releases are to be followed by 'Naughty' as his fifth single, with this rumoured for a July 2008 release.
In the 2008 series of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Chico was a member of 'Team Dec' in the feature 'Ant vs. Dec: The Teams'.
[edit] Personal life
Chico is in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend Daniyela. They have a daughter named Lalla-Khira.[1]
[edit] Charity work
Chico has helped the Rainbow Child Foundation to open an orphanage in Cambodia.
Chico's single 'Curvy Cola Bottle Body' is a protest song against recent issues regarding the 'Size Zero' phenomenon and as such he has teamed up with the eating disorder charity BEAT.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Singles
- "It's Chico Time" (2006) — 27 February 2006, UK #1 (two weeks)
- "D.I.S.C.O." (2006) — 14 August 2006, UK #24
- "Curvy Cola Bottle Body Baby" - 8 October 2007, UK #40
- "Are You In It For Love" - TBA May 2008, UK #TBA
- "Naughty" - TBA July 2008, UK #TBA
[edit] Albums
[edit] See also
- The X Factor (UK series 2)
- Shayne Ward, winner of X Factor series 2
- Andy Abraham, 2nd placed finalist
- Journey South, 3rd placed finalist
[edit] References
- ^ Cite error: Invalid
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[edit] External links
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