M
-M- is the alias of French pop enigma Mathieu Chédid, an uncommonly idiosyncratic and far-ranging talent best known to a worldwide audience for his contributions to the animated cult favorite Les Triplettes de Belleville. Born December 21, 1971, in Boulogne-Billancourt, Chédid was the son of French pop icon Louis Chédid (on whose 1978 hit "T'a Beau Pas Être Beau" the six-year-old made his recorded debut) and the grandson of renowned poet and novelist Andrée Chédid. As a teen Chédid collaborated with fellow pop scions Pierre Souchon and Julien Voulzy (children of the legendary songwriting duo Alain Souchon and Laurent Voulzy) in a series of short-lived groups like Les Bébés Fous and Les Poissons Rouges. A gifted multi-instrumentalist, he also emerged as an in-demand session player, contributing to recordings headlined by Philippe Chatel, NTM, and Billy Ze Kick.
Upon completing his debut solo LP, 1997's Le Baptême, Chédid adopted the alias "-M-," abbreviating his first name while also playing on the pronunciation of "aime," the French word for "love." Developing a vividly theatrical stage show complementing his playful melodies and operatic vocals, -M- completed his transformation with both a guitar and a coiffure in the shape of his one-letter persona. After winning the prestigious Prix Félix Leclerc for his songwriting prowess, -M- began work on his 1999 follow-up, Je Dis Aime. Another commercial and critical success, it set the stage for a sold-out tour and Victoires de la Musique awards in the categories of Best Male Singer and Best Concert.
While taking an extended break from recording to raise his first child, -M- issued a 2001 live LP, Le Tour de -M-. Its 2003 follow-up Labo -M- was a collection of instrumentals, demos, and outtakes, although his imaginative title theme for Sylvain Chaumet's acclaimed feature Les Triplettes des Belleville was itself highly regarded as well. Finally, at year's end -M- resurfaced with a new studio effort, Qui de Nous Deux?, a record that eschewed the flamboyance of his previous music in favor of a more personal and mature sensibility (even while the title hinted at the contrast between -M- and Chédid himself). Qui de Nous Deux? became a major hit, spending months in the charts during 2003 and 2004. His subsequent world tour yielded a double live release, En Tête à Tête, issued in late 2005.
Chédid spent much of the next few years focusing on live performance and collaborations, including recordings with his father Louis, the Malian musicians Amadou & Mariam, and Vanessa Paradis (the latter for her hit album Divinidylle, which he helped produce and write). In 2009, -M- released his fourth studio album Mister Mystère, a clear departure in style and intent. No longer flamboyant and colorful, the album still presented a very diverse musical palette. No surprise that it was heavily collaborational, featuring contributions from Brigitte Fontaine as well as most of Chédid's close family. The album hit number one in France, just like its predecessor, and spent many months on the country's chart. He toured Europe during much of late 2009.
Chédid began preparations for his fifth studio LP, Îl, releasing it in 2012 and earning strong critical praise for the album and its lead single "Mojo." During 2015, Chédid participated in a true family affair, touring and recording with his siblings and his father on a project titled Louis, Matthieu, Joseph and Anna Chédid (the proceedings were filmed by his sister Émilie). His next work, Lamomali, was also a collaboration, this time with a host of Malian musicians, led by Toumani Diabaté and his son Sidiki. The project's self-titled album appeared in 2017.
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
Similar artists
-
L'heure miroir
Klassiek - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 5 mrt. 2024
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ouvrez les frontières (Acoustic Version)
Wereldmuziek - Released by Wagram Music - Chapter Two Records on 5 jan. 2024
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Cet Air - Single
-M-, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté
Franse chansons - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 25 mrt. 2017
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Official Secrets Act
Franse chansons - Released by Metro on 1 jan. 1980
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
îl
Franse chansons - Released by Universal Music Division Barclay on 1 jan. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jive Shikisha!
Franse chansons - Released by Metro on 1 jan. 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bande Originale du film "Un monstre à Paris" (film d'Eric Bergeron, 2011)
M, Vanessa Paradis, Patrice Renson
Franse chansons - Released by Universal Music Division Romance Musique on 1 jan. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Le Grand Petit Concert
Franse chansons - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 22 nov. 2019
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Le super grand petit concert (Live AccorHotels Arena, 2019)
Franse chansons - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 20 nov. 2020
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Lauluja 1960-luvulta
Franse chansons - Released by Solina on 25 mrt. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Machistador
Franse chansons - Released by Parlophone (France) on 1 jan. 1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Les Saisons De Passage
Franse chansons - Released by Universal Music Division Barclay on 6 dec. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
îl (Live Zénith, Paris / Juin 2013)
Franse chansons - Released by Universal Music Division Barclay on 1 jan. 2013
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Onde sensuelle / Je dis aime
Franse chansons - Released by Parlophone (France) on 5 apr. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
îl
Franse chansons - Released by Universal Music Division Barclay on 1 jan. 2012
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pop Muzik - The Remix Album
Franse chansons - Released by Union Square Music on 25 okt. 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bouboule (Chanson Titre Du Film 'Bouboule')
Franse chansons - Released by Universal Music Division Barclay on 1 jan. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Manitoumani - Single
-M-, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté
Franse chansons - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 29 mrt. 2017
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Amssétou (Version Radio)
Franse chansons - Released by Universal Music Division Barclay on 1 jan. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ne le dis à personne (Bande originale du film)
Franse chansons - Released by Europacorp on 1 nov. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo