At the French broadcaster France Télévisions, the internal choice fell on Slimane as a candidate for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. The 34-year-old singer performed in Malmö with the track “Mon amour” and reached number four.
“In May I will sing in front of almost 200 million people. And for my parents. For my daughter. For France. And for you.”
After the French broadcaster France TV internally chose Slimane as the ESC candidate for the Grande Nation, Slimane posted this emotional statement on his social network accounts.
VIDEO: France: Slimane – “Mon Amour” | ESC final 2024 (3 min)
From nightclub singer in Pigalle to The Voice winner
Slimane Nebchi has Algerian roots. He grew up with three siblings in the eastern area of Paris. When he was twelve years old, he discovered music and joined a gospel choir. After graduating from high school, he attended various music schools. Slimane played his first concerts in bars and nightclubs in Pigalle, the red light district is also home to the famous Moulin Rouge. He also earns his money as a musical singer.
Slimane has been chasing musical success for a long time. For several years he unsuccessfully appeared in several talent shows such as “Nouvelle Star” (2009) and “X Factor” (2011). He presents his first own songs on his YouTube channel. But Slimane doesn’t give up – in 2016 he tries again and takes part in the French edition of “The Voice”. The audience votes him through to the final, which he ultimately wins. He then achieved a top ten hit with his first single “Paname”.
Slimane goes double platinum for his debut album
The knot has finally broken – Slimane is riding a wave of success. His debut album “À bout de rêves” climbed to number one in the French charts. It sold 200,000 copies and went double platinum. His albums “Solune”, “VersuS”, and “Chroniques d’un Cupidon” are similarly successful. Five national and international music awards from the French private radio NRJ recognize his work. Slimane has now long been a sought-after pop star who also fills large concert halls. The singer has almost three million streams on Spotify alone.
“Slimane is a great artist, but he is much more than that: he is a unifying personality who takes us along and draws us into his world. When society falls victim to the passions and turmoil of the world, Slimane is the artist who will allows us to escape and calm down.” Alexandra Redde-Amiel, Director of Entertainment and Games at France Télévisions | Head of the French Eurovision delegation
Triumphal arch instead of the Eiffel Tower – Slimane in Tom Leeb’s footsteps
Slimane sees participating in the ESC as the biggest challenge of his life, which fills him with great pride.
Slimane wrote and produced his ESC song “Mon amour” with his childhood friends, the brothers Meir and Yaacov Salah. The song is a musical love letter to all the important people in his life, but also to the people of Europe. And that’s what the sentimental, somewhat pathetic, modern chanson sounds like. The French love their country and its sights. They proudly show this, not just at the Tour de France – also for the ESC. They quickly put Slimane in front of the Arc de Triomphe, where he will sing “Mon amour” live in January. This brings back memories of Tom Leeb, who recorded his “The Best In Me” on the Eiffel Tower. The Grande Nation just loves it big.
“Amor” Slimane sings for France, parents and daughter
With the ballad “Mon Amour” Slimane sings his way to fourth place.
At the pre-parties in Amsterdam, Barcelona and London, Slimane was able to collect sympathy points from the international fans. And as “Cupid” and the personification of love, at the end of April he will once again be looking for votes from his compatriots at three concerts on his Cupidon tour in his home country. After his appearance in the final, Slimane climbed to fourth place among betting providers. The confirmation comes at the end of the voting process: the Frenchman comes fourth.
Further information
France has been taking part in the ESC since 1956. The country achieved its first victory two years later. All placements, participants and songs from France at the ESC. more
3 Min
Slimane will compete for France at the ESC 2024 with “Mon amour”. Here is the official music video for the song. 3 mins
3 Min
Slimane from France performs his song “Mon Amour” in the second semi-final of the ESC 2024 in Malmö. 3 mins
This topic in the program:
The first | Eurovision Song Contest | May 11, 2024 | 9:00 p.m