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Leslies Info |
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Leslie Bourgouin |
![]() Leslie |
Le Bon Choix |
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Leslie Bourgouin was born on February 4, 1985 in Le Mans, France.
Her father is of Vietnamese/Wallisian descent and her mother is French.
For this child of French, Vietnamese and Polynesian origin, the crossroads
of cultures are also the one that enriches her musical palette and her beliefs.
Leslie spent her childhood in Gabon from age 6 to 9 and in Togo from age
12 to 15, so she learnt African culture.
"Born in Le Mans in the quarter of Sablons, I lived with my sisters
Vanessa, Laodice and my parents. My stepfather worked in the army
and in 1991 he is transferred to Gabon (Libreville) for a length of 2 years."
"When I was 6 years old I danced my first choreography routine to
"Thriller" of Michael Jackson during a fete at end of the year ."
"In this era the only music which I listen to that of my mothers and therefore is
every big classical afro-American: Ray Charles, James Brown,
Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin..."
A huge fan of fan of Stevie Wonder, Leslie was always fascinated by the
technical control of the American stars,and by the capacity of their
music to induce emotions, she chose to express herself in RnB music.
Two years pass...1995:
"We decided to move in with my big sister,
who was in Togo where she had lived since the time we were in Gabon.
Over there, I frequent the French secondary school of Lome.
I meet a music professor (Mr Adjalité)
who repeats to me in every lesson that there is talent in me
and succeeded in having me (during the school holiday ) interpret
a title of Celine Dion guitar / voice: "Tel Est Mon Destin".
At the same time, mum has followed me to a heap of lessons
(dance, karate, tennis) and twice a week lessons of piano and music theory." Three years pass...1998:
"I am in Le Mans once again,I am 13 years old and I come back .
On my return, I want to continue playing of the piano and enter the conservatory.
Unfortunately they accept me in theory but not in practice:
result - my parents have not enough money to buy me a piano."
Back in France, she became a backing vocalist in a rap band.
"I was a member of the chorus in the group ALCATRAZ and one
day an animator (Nizard Bakar) crack literally on hearing my voice,
offers me an opportunity to work with a young film director Maleko .
(Who is the film director of the music video for "Et J'Attends",
second single from the album "Mes Couleurs"). During the next two years, Leslie and Maleko wrote many songs.
Leslie began her training in MJC at Le Mans. Preferring the workshop rap over
the workshop song, it is undoubtedly there that she became aware that the
emphasis on the lyrics in a song sometimes ruined the music.
Then she started working with her brother David, Little D, on the music & the lyrics.
"Meantime, I see again my brother who invites me to Paris, he is interested
in my songs, hoping that we could work together."
Together they accomplish an epoch - writing
"Le Bon Choix" and "Je Suis Et Je Resterai" (2 futures singles)
and he convinces me to participate in the program Graines De Star." In 2001, Leslie participated to "Graines De Star" where she sang "Say My Name"
a song by Destiny's Child. She won and recorded her first single
"Le Bon Choix", selling 200,000 copies.
"I confess to have hesitated... From MJC, I did not want to be classified
"Professional" and then I won!" to quote Leslie. And you know the rest of the story:
"At the age of 16 years I sign my first contract to
EMC Records having participated in 3 programs of "Graines De Star". "
Her first album,Je Suis Et Je Resterai,released in November 2002,
was categorized musically between R&B and modern soul. In May 2004, she released her second album Mes Couleurs.
Mes Couleurs is parried with blackouts and intoxicating sounds cooked up by a duo
of top producers, Kore and Skalp (being compared to Rhoff or Booba).
Leslie imposes in songs as "Egoistes" (composed with Little D), "Nos Coleres" or
"Le Temps Qui Passe" (composed with Pierre Izak) by refusing of give in to
childishness glamour and sacrificing individualism for a depth in her music not
usually seen in todays' contemporary blues artists.
In a significant manner, her vocal suppleness contrasts itself in "J'Accuse" with the
comforting intensity of the rap of Kery James, an important figure in the French hip hop scene.
And then an impressive ballad "Et J'Attends" (composed by Maleko) engraves in us,
Leslie is delivering a message of hope.By sacrificing individualism, and focusing on the music,
Leslie asserts in " Mes Coleurs " the force of her character and her many talents. In November 2006, Leslie released her third album,L'Amour En Vol with vocal maturity.
L'Amour En Vol, was less successful than the 2 previous ones despite the singles
"L'Envers De La Terre", "Sobri 2" and "Accorde-Moi", all 3 of them were aired on the radio. The R&B singer is currently recording a remake of Corynne Charby's song
"Boule De Flipper" : a cover of a 80's song, first single from her forthcoming album.
The album Futur 80 will be completely French 80's covers,it will be released in 2008. |
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