Anthology

Les Nubians is an R&B Grammy-nominated duo composed of sisters Hélène and Célia Faussart from Paris, France.

They are one of the most successful French-language musical groups in the U.S. and are best known for their Billboard R&B Top Ten Single “Makeda” and the Grammy nominated song “Je Veux D’la Musique” from their second album “One Step Forward.”

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.

Les Nubians offers a jazzy, sophisticated style of R&B that combines French lyrics with the influence of Sade, Soul II Soul, hip-hop, and African pop.

Les Nubians started as an a cappella group specializing in covers of R&B, reggae, and African songs, but eventually started working with bands and performing original material.

The duo are equally influenced by jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Abbey Lincoln as well hip-hop bands like the Fugees and African icons Miriam Makeba and Fela Kuti.

Their 1998 debut album, “Princesses Nubiennes,” became America’s most successful French-language album in more than a decade.

In addition, Les Nubians also graced recordings by Talib Kweli and Black Eyed Peas, as well as a Red Hot tribute to Fela Kuti called “Red, Hot & Riot.”

Collaborators include top underground rapper Talib Kweli, fellow Cameroonian Manu Dibango, pianist Ray Lema, and broken-beat maestro IG Culture.