French R&B Music

Sweet Life  

If you can look past the low-budget visuals and just concentrate on the music, you'll be treated to some sophisticated, jazzy Neo Soul courtesy of the French Soul band Sweet Life.

The title track ,"Fruit de Femme," led by Laurence Mboungou, is a touching tribute to women. Make sure you watch through the end credits to hear a snippet of another song off the album, "Ballade."

  Meemee Nelzy  

If you like Stevy Mahy's musical blend of French and Creole, then you'll like Meemee Nelzy. She kind of picks up where Les Nubians Princesses Nubians left off, but with Creole songs sprinkled in. Here's "L'essential."

    Nu Revolution  

A new Les Nubians album is always an event. Watch the video for their first single "Veuillez Veiller Sur Vos Reves" and get your copy of their latest album, Nu Revolution, today.

    Kayna Samet  

Kayna Samet reminds me a little of Alicia Keys. I love the texture in her voice. Here she is with "Yema."

    Shy'm

  

French R&B singer Shy'm (Tamara Marthe) is the French equivalent of Beyonce. Shy'm is a stage name -- the "shy" is for her shyness, and the "M" for Martinique, her father's homeland.

A trained dancer and singer, Shy'm shot to stardom in 2006 when her debut album, Mes Fantaisies, hit the top ten and went platinum in France. (It includes the hits "Victoires," "T'es Parti," and "Femme de Couleur" if you want to check it out.)

"Je Sais" was a smash hit. from her latest album, Prendre L'air. Here's the latest track from that album, called "Tourne." And yes, that's New York she's in. (The video was filmed in Brooklyn.)

Amel Bent  

Amel Bent is another French reality show alumna, having made it to the semifinals on Nouvelle Star (the French version of American Idol). Here's "Je Reste," from her latest album, Delit Minuer.

Kenza Farah  

Kenza Farah is one of the many young female French R&B singers on the rise in France. Here's a single from her third album, Tresor, called "Sans Jamais se Plaindre."

    Ben l'Oncle Soul  

Oncle Ben's French retro Soul is all the rage in the French R&B world. If you like the music that R. Kelly and Raphael Saadiq are doing these days, then check out Ben l'Oncle Soul. Here he is with one of my favorite songs off the album, "Elle me dit."

    Speedy  

After collaborations with several artists and French rappers like Rohff and Sinik, independent French R&B singer Speedy will be releasing an album of his own in 2011. Here's his first single, "Te Laisser Partir."

  Tareeq  

Here's a nice soulful groove by independent French Soul singer, Tareeq. Check out "Dis Moi."

    Erik  

Erik (Pedurand) is an talented French and Creole singer originally from Guadeloupe (French West Indies). I got to see him perform live at La Cigale in Paris, backed by his wonderful band. Watch this acoustic performance of "Mal," from his critically acclaimed CD, Chaye Kow.

    Freddy  

For French R&B with a touch of Jazz, check out the French soul singer, Freddy (Freddi Chellaoui). Not only did he co-write six songs and sing backup on his friend Ben l'Oncle Soul's album, but he's a rising French R&B singer in his own right.

The song he's singing at the beginning of the promo clip below is "Faut qu'ca m'vienne," which you can find on his fantastic French Neo Soul debut album, Freddy. The interview is in French, but there are enough performances sprinkled in that you can get the flavor of the album even if you don't understand what he's saying.

Freddy is heavily influenced by African American music and chanson Francaise. He listens to A Tribe Called Quest, Teri Moise (French soul singer), D'angelo, Michel Jonasz (traditional French singer), The Roots, Noel Gourdin, and Common (Sense).

Look out for a new French R&B album from Freddy in 2011!