Princesses Nubiennes

Last updated
Princess Nubiennes
Princesses Nubiennes.jpg
Studio album by
Les Nubians
ReleasedSeptember 22, 1998
Recorded1997-1998
StudioSoul II Soul, London
Genre
Length59:18
Label
Producer
  • Dan Selene (exec.)
  • Matt Marshall (exec.)
  • Les Nubians (tracks 1, 4, 5, 9, 10, 14)
  • Mounir Belkhir (track 1, 4, 5, 9)
  • Lee Hamblin (tracks 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15)
Les Nubians chronology
Princess Nubiennes
(1998)		One Step Forward
(2003)
Singles from Princesses Nubiennes
  1. "Makeda"
    Released: 1998
  2. "Les Portes Du Souvenir"
    Released: 1999

Princesses Nubiennes is the debut studio album by Afro-French music duo Les Nubians, consisting of sisters Helene and Celia Faussart. Recorded in England, the record incorporates elements of diverse musical styles, including R&B, neo soul, jazz, electronic, hip hop, and West African music. The artists drew inspiration from the music they listened to growing up in Chad and France, as well as American singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. The album's lyrics are almost entirely in French, and focus on themes of the African experience, nature, and international unity.

Contents

The album was first released in France in early 1998, selling poorly. However, the album became popular in the United States, selling almost 300,000 copies in its first year and close to 400,000 by 2003. Its success was driven in part by the popularity of lead single "Makeda", which peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard R&B chart and became the United States' first French-language hit in 25 years. Following its success in the US, the record began experiencing strong sales in France as well. The album drew favorable reviews from most music critics, who commended its production and lyrical themes, and went on to receive a nomination at the 2000 Soul Train Music Awards.

Background

Sisters Helene and Celia Faussart, who went on to form Les Nubians, were born in Paris to a French father and a Cameroonian mother. [1] They spent their early childhoods in Paris, before moving to Chad for seven years; while there, they became interested in the music of West Africa. [2] [1] Celia experienced bullying at school for her African heritage and turned to jazz music as a creative outlet; Helene exposed her to artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. [1] After their father died, Celia moved in with Helene, and the two began singing together. [1] Due to their young age and lack of formal training, they initially struggled to find musicians to perform with; some groups offered them the chance to sing backing vocals, but they refused. [2] They ultimately formed an a capella group as well as an Afrocentric cultural collective called Les Nouveaux Griots. [1] Les Nubians were an outgrowth of the collective; they selected their name in honor of Nubia, the first known Black civilization. [3]

The duo recorded their debut album at the Soul II Soul studio in England, with the help of producer Lee Hamblin. [1] They noted that, although they drew inspiration from American soul artists in writing the album, they didn't seek to simply adapt English-language R&B songs to French, and instead wanted to write songs that "sound good" in their native language. [1] They initially hoped to sign to record label Virgin France, but after that label declined, they signed to Higher Octave Music, a smaller label in California, after executives heard the duo's performance in Japan. [3]

Composition

Stylistically, the album incorporates elements of jazz, contemporary R&B, jungle, hip hop, funk, roots, and soft pop. [4] [5] "Embrasse-Moi" and "Sourire" blend elements of breakbeat and West African music. [4] A critic writing for Exclaim! posited that the album was "rootsy like Zap Mama" and drew funk influence from Soul II Soul; critic Robert Christgau concurred that both artists were influences on the album. [6] [4] A critic for Time compared the group's sound to that of Sade if she had been "reared in France by members of the Fugees". [5] The openings of "Si Je T'Avais Ecoute" and "Les Portes Du Sovenir" feature grand pianos. [4]

All but one of the songs on Princesses Nubiennes are sung in French. [4] Following the success of "Makeda", they re-recorded the song in English, but most stations declined to play it, preferring the original, French-language version. [1] The lyrics were noted for their delicate handling of controversial issues. [7] "Si Je T'Avais Ecoute" discusses teenage abortion, with the sisters offering advice to a pregnant teen girl, while the album's sole English-language track, "Sugarcane", discusses the experiences of African slaves picking sugar cane in America as well as the modern-day legacy of slavery. [7] [3] The opening track, "Demain", imagines a world where oppressed people are liberated. "Makeda" and "Princesses Nubienne" have been interpreted as paying tribute to Black women. [3] "Voyager" focuses on the theme of international unity, with lyrics that encourage everyone to act as a "citizen of Earth". [3]

The album also includes a Gallic cover of the Sade song "Sweetest Taboo". [4] The album also features a snippet of an interview with American jazz singer and civil rights activist Abbey Lincoln. [8]

Reception

Critical

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Consumer Guide C+ [6]

Considered by many to be their best work to date, Les Nubians released their debut album in 1999 to wide fanfare. Writing for Time that year, Christopher John Farley said of this album that it "blends smooth jazz, soft pop and warm R&B with a dash of dance in hip-hop" and that the album had an "emotional generosity and a spiritual depth" that came through on every track.

In his Consumer Guide, music critic Robert Christgau gave the album a letter grade of "C+", calling the artists "blander than the bass lines" and opining that the album is "'soul' if the '5th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards' says so". [6]

Commercial

The album's initial target market was francophone nations including France, Belgium, and Canada. [1] It struggled to gain traction in France, and the record sold poorly in that country upon its early 1998 release. [1]

The duo hadn't initially expected the album to be successful in the United States, but after "Makeda" began to be picked up by college and R&B radio stations in the United States, the album experienced strong sales there. It debuted on the Heatseekers Albums chart in January 1999. [2] [10] By May 1999, with "Makeda" gaining airplay, the album had sold 140,000 units in the US; by October, the US sales figure was almost 300,000, and its US sales stood at nearly 400,000 by July 2003. [10] [1] [3] It reached a peak of number 100 on the Billboard 200 and number 25 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. [1] It was the most successful French-language album to chart in the US in 16 years. [11]

As the album's lead single, "Makeda" became the first French-language radio hit in 25 years, peaking within the top 50 on the Billboard R&B chart. [1] [8] Following their breakthrough in the United States, the album began experiencing strong sales in their native France as well. [1] Listeners in England were also supportive, recognizing it as "fresh". [1] In February 2000, the double-A-side "Tabou"/"Makeda" entered the UK Singles chart. [12]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Célia Faussart and Hélène Faussart except as noted.

  1. De-main (Jazz) 3:50
  2. Les Portes du Souvenir 4:58
  3. Abbeylude (Interlude) (Mounir Belkhir, Faussart, Faussart) 0:28
  4. Makeda (Mounir Belkhir, Faussart, Faussart) 4:53
  5. Sourire (Mounir Belkhir, Faussart, Faussart) 2:36
  6. Princess Nubienne (Souleymane Diamanka, Faussart, Faussart) 5:19
  7. Tabou f. Casey (Sade Adu, Martin Ditcham) 4:28
  8. Mystic (Interlude) 0:22
  9. Embrasse-Moi (Mounir Belkhir, Princess Erika) 4:38
  10. Sugar Cane (unknown) 4:36
  11. Bebela 4:46
  12. Si Je T'Avais Écouté 4:14
  13. Hymne Nubien (Interlude) 1:11
  14. Voyager 4:27
  15. Désolée 8:32

Charts

Weekly chart performance for Princesses Nubiennes
Chart (1999)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [13] 100
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [14] 25

Related Research Articles

<i>Aquemini</i> 1998 studio album by Outkast

Aquemini is the third studio album by American hip hop duo Outkast. It was released on September 29, 1998, by LaFace Records. The title is a portmanteau of the two performers' Zodiac signs: Aquarius and Gemini, which is indicative of the album's recurring theme of the differing personalities of the two members. The group recorded the majority of the album in Bobby Brown's Bosstown Recording Studios and Doppler Studios, both in Atlanta, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earth, Wind & Fire</span> American band

Earth, Wind & Fire is an American musical group. Their style and sound spans over various music genres such as jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin, and Afro pop. They are among the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide.

<i>The Low End Theory</i> 1991 studio album by A Tribe Called Quest

The Low End Theory is the second studio album by American hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, released on September 24, 1991, by Jive Records. Recording sessions for the album were held mostly at Battery Studios in New York City, from 1990 to 1991. The album was primarily produced by group member Q-Tip, with a minimalist sound that combines bass, drum breaks, and jazz samples, in a departure from the group's debut album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990). Lyrically, the album features social commentary, word play, humor, and interplay between Q-Tip and fellow member Phife Dawg.

<i>Baduizm</i> 1997 studio album by Erykah Badu

Baduizm is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Erykah Badu. It was released on February 11, 1997, by Kedar Records and Universal Records. After leaving university in order to concentrate on music full-time, Badu then began touring with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford, and recorded a 19-song demo, Country Cousins, which attracted the attention of Kedar Massenburg. He set Badu up to record a duet with D'Angelo, "Your Precious Love," and eventually signed her to a record deal with Universal. Recording sessions for the album took place from January to October 1996 in New York City, Philadelphia, and Dallas.

<i>Earth, Wind & Fire</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire is the debut studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in February 1971 by Warner Bros. Records. The album got to No. 24 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and was certified Gold in France by the SNEP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Les Nubians</span> French musical duo

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. 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.

7L & Esoteric (7LES) are an American underground hip hop duo from Boston, Massachusetts, known for battle rhymes and boom bap production. 7L is the duo's DJ/producer and Esoteric is the MC. 7L & Esoteric are both prominent members of underground hip-hop collectives Army of the Pharaohs and Demigodz, as well as being 2/3 of Czarface along with Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck.

<i>Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival</i> 1997 studio album by Wyclef Jean

Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival, also known simply as The Carnival, is the debut studio album released by Haitian hip hop musician Wyclef Jean. The album was released on June 24, 1997, Wyclef Jean also served as the album's executive producer. The album features guest appearances from Celia Cruz, The Neville Brothers and multiple appearances from Jean's former Fugees bandmates, Lauryn Hill and Pras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amel Larrieux</span> American singer-songwriter

Amel Eliza Larrieux is an American singer-songwriter and keyboardist. Larrieux rose to fame in the mid-1990s as a founding member of the duo Groove Theory along with Bryce Wilson. After leaving the group in 1999, she released her debut solo album, Infinite Possibilities, the following year on Epic Records.

<i>Thats the Way of the World</i> 1975 soundtrack album / Studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

That's the Way of the World is the sixth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released on March 15, 1975, by Columbia Records. It was also the soundtrack for a 1975 motion picture of the same name. The album rose to No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Soul Albums charts. That's the Way of the World has also been certified Triple Platinum in the U.S. by the RIAA. In 2002, the band released live version of the album, recorded in 1975 – That's the Way of the World: Alive in '75.

Contemporary R&B is a popular music genre that combines rhythm and blues with elements of pop, soul, funk, hip hop, and electronic music.

<i>Phrenology</i> (album) 2002 studio album by The Roots

Phrenology is the fifth studio album by American hip hop band The Roots, released on November 26, 2002, by MCA Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during June 2000 to September 2002 at Electric Lady Studios in New York. It was primarily produced by members of the band and features contributions from hip hop and neo soul artists such as Cody ChesnuTT, Musiq Soulchild, Talib Kweli, and Jill Scott.

<i>One for All</i> (Brand Nubian album) 1990 studio album by Brand Nubian

One for All is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Brand Nubian, released on December 4, 1990, by Elektra Records. The album was highly acclaimed for its politically charged and socially conscious content. Sales never matched the wide acclaim — the album has only sold 350,000 copies as of May 2013 — but it has remained in print since its 1990 release. The album is mainly produced by Brand Nubian, but it also features production by Skeff Anselm, Stimulated Dummies, and Dave "Jam" Hall. The album's production contains many motifs of hip hop's golden age including James Brown-sampled breakbeats and funky R&B loops. The album is broken down track-by-track by Brand Nubian in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.

<i>You Shouldnt-Nuf Bit Fish</i> 1983 studio album by George Clinton

You Shouldn't-Nuf Bit Fish is the second studio album by American funk musician George Clinton released in 1983 by Capitol Records. The album reached No. 18 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Step in the Name of Love</span> 2003 single by R. Kelly

"Step in the Name of Love (Remix)" is a hit song by R&B singer R. Kelly. Taken from the 2003 album Chocolate Factory, the song became the tenth single from Kelly (and the final one to date) to reach #1 on the R&B chart, particularly on the strength of the song's remix. It also peaked at number nine on the pop charts on December 2, 2003. The original "Step in the Name of Love", which is on the unreleased 2002 album "Loveland" as well as the Chocolate Factory album, described a dance style initially created in Chicago called "stepping". That dance, and the music associated with it, was heavily featured on disc one of his 2004 double album, "Happy People/U Saved Me". The song became an impromptu "anthem" for steppers and the dance. In the UK, the song was a double A-side with "Thoia Thoing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wish (R. Kelly song)</span> 2000 song by R. Kelly

"I Wish" is an R&B song recorded by American singer-songwriter R. Kelly, from the album TP-2.com. It was released as the album's first single. It spent three weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked at number 14 on the U.S. Hot 100 chart. The song is dedicated to his mother as well as friends and other loved ones of his who have died. This song was originally going to feature rapper 2Pac, but he died before recording his verse. The remix, which was titled "I Wish - Remix featured Hip Hop duo Boo & Gotti, who were then signed to his Rockland Records imprint.

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a music chart published weekly by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales in the United States and is compiled by Luminate. The chart debuted as Hot R&B LPs in the issue dated January 30, 1965, in an effort by the magazine to further expand into the field of rhythm and blues music. It then went through several name changes, being known as Soul LPs in the 1970s and Top Black Albums in the 1980s, before returning to the R&B identification in 1990 and affixing a hip hop designation in 1999 to reflect the latter's growing sales and relationship to R&B during the decade.

<i>So Damn Happy</i> (Aretha Franklin album) 2003 studio album by Aretha Franklin

So Damn Happy is the thirty-fifth studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin. Her first studio album in five years. The album featured the Grammy Award-winning track "Wonderful", a single co-written and produced by Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence.

<i>Compositions</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Anita Baker

Compositions is the fourth album by American R&B/soul singer Anita Baker. The album peaked at #5 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in 1990, making it Baker's third platinum selling album. The album also won the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 1991 Grammy Awards. Compositions would be the last album and collaboration between Baker and producer Michael J. Powell.

<i>Breezin</i> 1976 studio album by George Benson

Breezin' is the fifteenth studio album by jazz/soul guitarist and vocalist George Benson. It is his debut on Warner Bros. Records. It not only was a chart-topper in the Jazz category but also went to #1 on the pop and R&B charts. It was certified triple platinum, making it one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Harrington, Richard (13 October 1999). "Les Nubians, With an Accent On Soul". Washington Post. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 TMR (7 May 2003). "Les Nubians Soak Up Success". CNN. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Childress, Marianna (12 July 2003). "Les Nubians — One Step Forward". The Globalist. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bidaye, Prasad (1 August 1999). "Les Nubians: Princesses Nubiennes". Exclaim!. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  5. 1 2 Farley, Christopher John (10 May 1999). "Music: Princesses Nubiennes". Time. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide Album: Les Nubians: Princesses Nubiennes". Robert Christgau. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Townsend, Audrashia (April 7, 1999). "Band Only Thing Missing for Les Nubians". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Wald, Elijah (2007). Global Minstrels: Voices of World Music. London: Routledge. p. 173. ISBN   978-0415979290 . Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  9. ↑ Anderson, Rick. "Album Review: Princesses Nubiennes — Les Nubians". Allmusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Hay, Carla (22 May 1999). "Les Nubians Break Through: Even in French, OmTown Duo is a Hit in U.S." Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 21. pp. 1, 95. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Les Nubians Take 'One Step Forward'". Billboard. March 27, 2003. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Chart History: Les Nubians". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  13. ↑ "Les Nubians Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  14. ↑ "Les Nubians Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.