Viviane
(Senegal)

Djembe
Biography
Viviane Chidid has become a star in Senegal in a very short time. It was in 1999 that she released a first album. Since then, her unique style blending R&B and mbalax, and her sensitive voice has made her into a star, and she is starting to have some success outside Senegal too.

Viviane, born from Senegalese and Lebanese parents, has been working as a backing vocalist in Youssou N'Dour's Super Etoile de Dakar since 1993. Viviane, who married a few years later with Bouba N'Dour, Youssou's brother and manager, continued to sing with Super Etoile. She sung the big international hit of Youssou N'Dour with Neneh Cherry, « Seven Seconds », during live concerts, and the experience she had by working with Youssou was welcome when she decided to start a solo career. Her first single, « Sama Nene », was right from the start a big hit in Senegal and since her style was something new, she rapidly became very popular in Senegal and the rest of West Africa.

In 2001 she formed her own band, Le Jolof Band, and a first live album came out. By 2003, she has made five albums in five years, thus maintaining the level of popularity in Senegal. She is now as big a star as Coumba Gawlo, and is seen as a diva and role model for young Senegalese women.

Viviane Chidid
Viviane Chidid  



Born: Victoria Catherine Chidid, 8 March 1972, in Mbour (80 km from Dakar)
Style: R&B-mbalax



Discography
Title Year Label Remarks
Benen Level 2020 Viviane Chidid/Touch Entertain CD / digital
Wuyuma 2017 Viviane Chidid/Sen'art Vision
Rétaan 2014 1000 Mélodies CD-R / download
Wuy Yaayooy 2010 Bouba Ndour Prod.
Bataclan Café - Special Live 2007 Whatawhat Arts Live album
Man Diarra 2005 Whatawhat Arts 2CD
Esprit 2004 Whatawhat Arts Album by Viviane & Frères (various hip hop guests)
Fii Ak Fee 2003 Jololi VIVIANECD005 With Le Jolof Band
Tere Nelaw 2002 Jololi VIVIANECD004 With Le Jolof Band
Le Show 2001 Jololi DJOL01040-2 Live album, with Le Jolof Band
Nature 2000 Jololi JL2001
Entre Nous/ Between us/ Ci Sunu Biir 1999 Jololi

Sources
 
Page added October 2003