Matthieu Chedid

-M- redirects here. For the British musician, see Robin Scott.

-M-
Background information
Birth name	Matthieu Chedid
Born	21 December 1971 (1971-12-21) (age 37) Boulogne-Billancourt, France
Genre(s)	Chanson Rock Funk
Occupation(s)	French singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)	bass guitar guitar keyboards drums kazoo vocals
Years active	1978 - present
Label(s)	Delabel
Website	qui2nous2 <FR>

Matthieu Chedid (also known as -M-) (born 21 December 1971, in Boulogne-Billancourt) is a French rock singer-songwriter and guitar player.

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 for him.

Chedid took an interest in music at an early age, notably with Julien Voulzy and Pierre Souchon, 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.

-M-

Chedid performs and records under the stage name -M-. As a character, -M- is noted for having a mysterious nature, which he emphasizes by wearing flamboyant clothes, and styling his hair into the shape of an M. This character is the dominating motif in his live performances, music videos, and album art. The vivid and often whimsical imagery they use often relates to the themes of love, and the letter M. The name itself comes from Chedid's first initial, but it is also identical in pronunciation to the French word aime.

Personal life

He has a daughter named Billie. He has been dating the actress Audrey Tautou.

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

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)

Promotional singles

• Le baptême / La grosse bombe (inédit) (1997)
• Au suivant (1998)
• Je dis aime (1999)
• Le complexe du corn flakes (2000)

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)

From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia