Les Nubians is a French musical duo, composed of sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart from Paris, France. In 1985, the sisters moved with their parents to Chad.[1] Seven years later, they returned to Bordeaux, France, and began singing a cappella, producing poetry slams in Bordeaux and Paris, and singing background vocals for various artists worldwide. The duo's debut album Princesses Nubiennes was released by Virgin Records, France, in 1998.[1]
Les Nubians | |
|---|---|
 Les Nubians in 2003 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Bordeaux, France |
| Genres | R&B, African, neo soul |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Nubiatik, Virgin, Higher Octave, Shanachie |
| Website | LesNubians.com |
They have become one of the most successful French-language musical groups in the U.S., best known for their Billboard R&B Single "Makeda"[2] from their Grammy nominated album Princesses Nubiennes.[3] Les Nubians were the 1999 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards winners for Best New Artist, Group or Duo and received two NAACP Image Awards nominations in 2000.[3]
In May 2020, the sisters were featured in the Visual Collaborative Polaris catalog. In a series titled TwentyEightyFour released during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, their interview announced a music single LIBERATION.[4] Rika Muranaka, Dakore Akande appeared in the same periodical.[5] The duo executive-produced Echos, Chapter One in 2005 on their label Nubiatik; a joint venture with Triloka Records. The project features artists from France, and the U.S. performing poetry and music from the urban edge. Echos, Chapter One: Nubian Voyager was released in 2006 as a book accompaniment to the CD.
Discography
Albums
- Princesses Nubiennes (1998) Virgin Records
- One Step Forward (2003) Virgin Records, Higher Octave
- Echos, Chapter One (2005) Nubiatik
- Nü Revolution (2011) Nubiatik, Shanachie
Soundtracks
- Beat the World (2011)
Duets
- Sueña (Sonrisa, 2010) feat Ana Torroja
Guest appearances
- "Funkin' for Jamaica" (Towa Tei featuring Joanne, Les Nubians, Wisdom Life & Tom Browne), from the album Last Century Modern (1999)
- "On My Own" (Black Eyed Peas featuring Les Nubians and Mos Def) from the album, Bridging the Gap (2000)
- "Who's There?" (Guru) from the album, "Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3: Streetsoul" (2000)
- "Love Language" (Reflection Eternal) from the album, "Train of Thought (Reflection Eternal album)" (2002)