-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
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Discography
904 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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En Rêvalité (Live AccorArena 2023)
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 1 Dec 2023
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Rêvalité Augmentée
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 25 Nov 2022
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Lamomali
-M-, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 7 Apr 2017
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
L'heure miroir au Nouveau Siècle
Classical - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 29 Nov 2024
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Le Grand P'tit Concert -M-aison
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 9 Jul 2020
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Le Grand Petit Concert
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 22 Nov 2019
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Lettre infinie
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 25 Jan 2019
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
L'heure miroir
Classical - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 25 Jul 2024
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
J'ai dix ans
French Music - Released by Tôt Ou Tard on 12 Apr 2024
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
¡ Pura Vida Fenomenal !
Classical - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 26 Jul 2024
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Îl (Deluxe Version)
French Music - Released by Universal Music Division Barclay on 12 Nov 2012
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Rêvalité
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 3 Jun 2022
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
À toi
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 28 Sep 2022
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Le super grand petit concert (Live AccorHotels Arena, 2019)
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 20 Nov 2020
Available in24-Bit/48 kHz Stereo -
L'heure miroir
Classical - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 5 Mar 2024
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Bal de Bamako (feat. Fatoumata Diawara & Oxmo Puccino) - Single
-M-, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 16 Dec 2016
Available in24-Bit/48 kHz Stereo -
Lamomali Airlines (Live)
-M-, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 24 Nov 2017
Available in24-Bit/48 kHz Stereo -
Toop Toop (A Tribute to Zdar)
Alternative & Indie - Released by Love Supreme - Justice on 19 Jun 2020
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Astérix & Obélix : L'Empire du Milieu (Bande originale du film)
French Music - Released by Trésor Films on 1 Feb 2023
Available in24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Manitoumani - Single
-M-, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 29 Mar 2017
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Lamomali Remixes
-M-, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki diabate
French Music - Released by Wagram Music - 3ème Bureau on 20 Aug 2018
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo