-M-

Mathieu Chédid, the French pop mystery who records as -M-, stands out as a strikingly unconventional and wide-ranging artist who first reached listeners around the globe through his score for the animated favorite Les Triplettes de Belleville. He entered the world on December 21, 1971, in Boulogne-Billancourt as the son of French pop icon Louis Chédid, on whose 1978 single “T’a Beau Pas Être Beau” the six-year-old delivered his first recorded performance, and as the grandson of celebrated poet and novelist Andrée Chédid. During his teenage years he joined forces with fellow pop offspring Pierre Souchon and Julien Voulzy, offspring of the revered songwriting pair Alain Souchon and Laurent Voulzy, in fleeting bands such as Les Bébés Fous and Les Poissons Rouges. A skilled multi-instrumentalist, he also became a sought-after studio musician, appearing on releases by Philippe Chatel, NTM, and Billy Ze Kick.

After finishing his first solo album, 1997’s Le Baptême, Chédid adopted the stage name -M-, a shorthand for his given name that simultaneously nods to the French verb “aime.” He then cultivated an exuberant theatrical stage presence that matched his whimsical tunes and soaring vocals, completing the persona by shaping both his guitar and his hairstyle after the single letter. Following his receipt of the esteemed Prix Félix Leclerc for songwriting, -M- turned to his 1999 successor Je Dis Aime. That release, another strong seller and critical favorite, paved the way for a completely sold-out tour and two Victoires de la Musique trophies, one for Best Male Singer and one for Best Concert.

While pausing recording for an extended period to raise his first child, -M- put out the 2001 concert album Le Tour de -M-. Its 2003 successor Labo -M- gathered instrumentals, sketches, and unused tracks, although the inventive theme he created for Sylvain Chaumet’s well-received film Les Triplettes de Belleville also drew considerable notice. Late that year he returned with the studio set Qui de Nous Deux?, a work that traded the theatricality of earlier material for a more intimate and seasoned outlook, even as the title underscored the divide between -M- and Chédid. The record achieved major success, remaining on the charts for months across 2003 and 2004. The ensuing world tour produced the double live set En Tête à Tête, released at the end of 2005.

Chédid devoted much of the following years to live shows and joint projects, among them recordings alongside his father Louis, the Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, and Vanessa Paradis, for whom he co-produced and co-wrote the hit album Divinidylle. In 2009 he issued his fourth studio album, Mister Mystère, a decisive shift in approach and tone. Though no longer flashy or vivid, the record still displayed a broad musical range and, unsurprisingly, featured extensive collaboration, including input from Brigitte Fontaine and numerous members of Chédid’s immediate family. It reached number one in France, matching its predecessor, and lingered on the national chart for many months. He performed across Europe for much of late 2009.

Chédid next prepared his fifth studio album, Îl, which appeared in 2012 and received warm critical acclaim along with its lead single “Mojo.” Throughout 2015 he joined his siblings and father for a genuine family undertaking, touring and recording under the name Louis, Matthieu, Joseph and Anna Chédid, with the events captured on film by his sister Émilie. His following project, Lamomali, likewise took collaborative form, uniting him with numerous Malian musicians under the leadership of Toumani Diabaté and his son Sidiki; the self-titled album surfaced in 2017.