Mathieu Chedid
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- -M- redirects here. For the British musician, see Robin Scott.
Mathieu Chedid (also known as -M-) (born December 21, 1971 in Boulogne-Billancourt) is a French rock singer-songwriter.
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[edit] Biography
Mathieu Chedid is of Lebanese descent through his paternal grandmother. He is the son of French singer Louis Chedid, and the grandson of the Egyptian-born French writer and poetess of Lebanese descent Andrée Chedid who has written lyrics to many of his songs. He has a daughter named Billie.
Chedid took an interest in music at an early age, notably with the sons of Laurent Voulzy and Alain Souchon. Together they formed a few short-lasting groups such as Mat Mat (Checkmate Checkmate), Les bébés fous (The crazy babies) or Les poissons rouges (The "red fish," a French phrase equivalent to the English "goldfish"). In order to jump-start his career, he didn't hesitate to collaborate with a number of artists, both on stage and on his albums. He has collaborated with NTM, Sinclair and Billy ze Kick. He also performed a duet with his father entitled T'as beau pas être beau in 1978, and has played as the opening act for Texas concerts. Recently, he has collaborated with Sean Lennon on the song "L'éclipse," which is a French remake of Lennon's song "Parachute." Chedid contributed vocals, lyrics and instrumentals.
[edit] Public Persona
Chedids performs his concerts as the character -M- (a play on the word aime -- like or love in French-- and his own initial). On stage he is often backed by Cyril Atef and Vincent Segal, who both are in the trip hop group Bumcello. He is also accompanied by DJ Shalom on stage and on a few of his album songs, such as (Le complexe du Corn Flakes). On his most recent tour, he did back up work for Sébastien Martel, a member of Las Ondas Marteles
His live performances place a strong emphasis imagery and the nature of Chedid's alter ego -M-. Chedid emphasizes his mysterious nature through his clothes, and hair which is shaped like an M. He is famed for his guitar-playing abilities. On his 1999 album Je dis aime, -M- performs a cover version of The Cure's "Close to Me", which features a combination of French- and English-language lyrics.
He also contributed to the soundtrack for the 2003 animated feature Les Triplettes de Belleville.
[edit] Awards
In 2000, -M- won two Victoires de la musique awards
- Male artist of the year
- Best concert
In 2005, he won four Victoires de la musique awards
- Male artist of the year
- Pop album of the year for Qui de nous deux
- Best tour
- Best music DVD for Les leçons de musique, directed by Émilie Chedid
In 2006, he won one Victoires de la musique award (and a César Award)
- Best original soundtrack for Ne Le Dis À Personne, directed by Guillaume Canet
[edit] Discography
- Le Baptême (1997)
- Je dis aime (1999)
- Le tour de -M- (live, 2001)
- Labo M (instrumental, 2003)
- Qui de nous deux ? (2003)
- -M- au Spectrum (live, 2005)
- En tête à tête (live, 2005)
- Ne le dis à personne (soundtrack, 2006)
[edit] Promotional singles
- Le baptême / La grosse bombe (inédit) (1997)
- Au suivant (1998)
- Je dis aime (1999)
- Le complexe du corn flakes (2000)
[edit] External links
- Official website (flash) (French)
- Labo M website (flash) (French)
- Photos of his concert in Festival des Vieilles Charrues (2004) (French)
- Interview with -M- (French)
| Preceded by Alain Bashung |
Victoires de la Musique Male artist of the year 2000 |
Succeeded by Henri Salvador |
| Preceded by Calogero |
Victoires de la Musique Male group or artist of the year 2005 |
Succeeded by Raphaël |
