Viviane Chidid: 16 things you need to know about the Senegalese singer

Viviane Chidid: 16 things you need to know about the Senegalese singer.

Viviane Chidid is a Senegalese mbalax and R&B singer born on September 29, 1973 in Mbour, Senegal. She has won international acclaim for her melodious voice and original style, but above all for her collaboration with Senegal’s leading singer Youssou N’ Dour.

1/ She was born in Mbour, a port city south of Dakar, to a Lebanese father, Philippe Chidid, and a Senegalese mother (of Mauritanian-Malian descent) named Aminata Fall.

2/ It was launched by Ali Jaber, creator and leader of the Tabou musical group from Dakar, a friend of his father. 

3/ At a very young age, she began performing in the hotels of the seaside resort of Mbour with musician friends.

4/ In 1993, she joined Youssou N’Dour’s backing band.

5/ She gained fame performing the hit song Seven Seconds with Youssou N’Dour in public concerts.

6/ She is the ex-wife of Youssou N`dour’s brother. Viviane married Youssou Ndour’s brother Bouba N’Dour in 2010. Their divorce was finalized in 2011.

7/ Youssou N’Dour’s brother, Bouba N’Dour, was his manager and the father of his two children, Zeyna and Philippe. 

8/  Then, after their divorce, she signed with Jerry Wonda at Wonda Music, one of the labels that has produced artists such as Shakira, Wyclef Jean, Busta Rhymes, Lauryn Hill and the Fugees.

9/ In 1999, she released her first album “Entre Nous”. The title track, Sama Nene, became a huge hit. Followed by the album Nature in 2000.

10/ In 2001, she formed her own group, the Djolof Band, but continued to sing backing vocals for Youssou N’Dour at his major balls.

11/ She collaborated with singer Philip Monteiro on the beautiful song “Amor”.

12/ He’s a super star in Senegal, on a par with Youssou N’Dour, Akon and Omar Péne.

13/ She has won numerous awards.

Afrotainment Museke African Music Awards 2011

Viviane Chidid wins three prizes:

• Female artist of the year
• Best music video
• Best Afro-Rhythm song

In 2012, she won the “Pan-African Artist of the Year Award” at the Cameroon Entertainment Awards and the “Pan-African Artist or Group of the Year Award” at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards.

14/ Controversy. She is sued for plagiarism of Elhage Faye’s Sammina. She loses the case, and has to pay 5 million CFA francs to the singer of the song.

15/ In 2004, she recorded the album Esprit, the best-selling rap album in Senegalese history, featuring a host of top Senegalese rappers including Foumalade, Awadi, Carlou D, Khuman and Pacotille. 

16/ Here are a few highlights from his discography:

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