Viviane Chidid

Award-winning Mbalax and R&B singer Viviane Chidid was born in Mbour, Senegal on September 29, 1973. Referred to as the ‘Queen of Senegalese music,’ she is backing vocalist and former sister-in-law of Senegalese musical icon Youssou N’Dour. She began her career in 1993 when she was hired as a backing vocalist for Youssou N’Dour. It was through Youssou that she met his brother Bouba N’Dour, whom she would later marry. After touring with Youssou for several years, she branched out and released her debut solo album, Entre Nous (Between Us – Ci Sunu Biir), in 1999. After the release of her second album, Nature (2000), she formed her own group, Le Jolof Band, and began mixing traditional Mbalax music with hints of R&B and hip-hop music. Credited to Viviane & Le Jolof Band, she released the albums Le Show (2001), Tere Nelaw (2002), and Rii Ak Fee (2003). Her 2004 album Esprit became the best-selling rap album of all time in Senegal. An international sensation, she recorded her 2007 live album, Bataclan Café, in Paris, France. After the release of 2010’s Wuy Yaayooy, she divorced her husband, signed to Wonda Music, and collaborated with The Fugees and Busta Rhymes. The following year, she became the recipient of numerous Afrotainment Museke African Music awards, including honors for Artist of the Year, Best Video and Best Afro-Rhythm Song. Her fame in Africa continued to grow with the release of albums such as Rétaan (2014), Wuyuma (2017), and Benen Level (2020). Returning to France in February 2023, Viviane Chidid played a sell-out show at the prestigious venue, L'Olympia.