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Chico Slimani





Musical Information

  Name Chico Slimani
  Img Chico on XFactorjpg
  Img Capt Chico Slimani performing during the second series of the X Factor
  Background solo_singer
  Birth Name Yousseph Slimani
  Alias Chico
  Origin Wales
  Instrument Vocals
  Genre Pop
  Occupation Singer
  Years Active 2006–present
  Label Sony BMG


Yousseph Slimani (born April 2 , 1971 ), known as '''Chico''', is a British Pop singer of Moroccan descent who rose to prominence in the United Kingdom after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2005 Series of the talent show '' The X Factor ''.


EARLY LIFE

Chico Slimani was born in Wales to a Sunni Muslim mother and Sufi Muslim father, but when his parents split up he went to live with his grandparents in Morocco when Chico was two. During his time in Oujda city (Morocco), Chico worked as a Mountain Goat herder but when he was thirteen years old, he decided to move back to the UK, living in Crawley , West Sussex .http://www.chico-official.com/pages/biog.html

Chico was popular in school but was bullied as well. He joined exotic dance troupe Extreme Force and became a stripping duo with his friend Matt Linham. They then became fairly big in the profession and went by the name of mac attack. when he desperately needed to raise money to help his grandmother back to health. Chico had several different jobs, including Hairdresser and Electrician .

In 2005, Chico auditioned for ''The X Factor''. He says he practiced his Singing Mostly In The Bathroom , and he grew up with Arabic .


''THE X FACTOR''


Chico's initial audition was notable because judge Simon Cowell walked out in disgust after Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne voted him through to the second round.

His category was mentored by Osbourne, who put him through to the live television phase, after particularly memorable performance at the Osbournes' home, in which he jumped into a shallow pool and danced in the water (still holding a live microphone).

After the initial live shows, he was widely mocked in the press, but after changing the style of his performances, to become more slightly more self-mocking, he began to win voters over. He also became notable for being the first contestant in a Simon Cowell show ( Pop Idol , American Idol , The X Factor ) to sing a self-written song, the suitably camp and ironic It's Chico Time , named after his catchphrase (Chico: "What time is it?", audience: "It's Chico time!")

As well as judges, it was notable that Cowell himself was won over during the course of the series, commenting that Chico was a born entertainer, even if he wasn't the recording artist the show was supposedly looking to discover. He failed to reach the final of the ITV talent show, being voted out in the third from last episode. It was eventually won by singer Shayne Ward in December 2005. Slimani had originally planned to release a single of It's Chico Time before Christmas, but had to wait due to contractual reasons. On its eventual release, it toppled Madonna from the UK Number 1 spot. "I'm absolutely loving every minute of it, and looking forward to releasing the single at last," he was stated as saying.

Since then, he has appeared on the X Factor tour, and continues to make numerous public appearances all over the UK. Chico is currently on tour at Butlins , performing full 45 minuet sets along with live band and dancers as part of The Chico Experience.


MUSIC AND FILM CAREER

Chico released his debut single, " It's Chico Time ", in February 2006, entering the UK Singles Chart at number one on 5 March 2006 . He also took part in a nationwide ''X Factor'' tour, which began in Newcastle Upon Tyne . "It's Chico Time" remained at number one for two weeks. Chico's follow up single, a cover of the song " D.I.S.C.O. " entered the chart at number twenty-four the following August.

Chico is involved with a production company called Unity Films, and his daughter appeared in one of their short films, ''Left Holding Baby'', for which Chico composed the music. He also stars in the BAFTA nominated short film 'Winner Takes All' , along with his brother, actor JC Mac . Chico will also appear in the company's upcoming feature film ''Lunchbox'', which is loosely based upon his days as a stripper.

Chico's next single 'Curvy Cola Bottle Body" will be out on 8th October 2007. You can preview the single along with many other tracks from his up-coming album on his official website.


PERSONAL LIFE

Chico is currently living with his long-time girlfriend Daniyela and they have a daughter named Lalla-Khira.
He is a devout Sufi Muslim.


Charity work

Slimani has helped the Rainbow Child Foundation to open an orphanage in Cambodia .


DISCOGRAPHY


Singles



SEE ALSO



REFERENCES



EXTERNAL LINKS