Charly B, born Charles Blanvillain in 1981, is a French singer-songwriter who performs, and whose music is distributed, internationally.
Biography
Debut
Charly B is French,
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany, the country of the Germans and German things
**Germania (Roman era)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...
and
Armenian
Armenian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent
** Armenian diaspora, Armenian communities around the ...
descent. He was fascinated by music, and discovered
reggae
Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica during the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its Jamaican diaspora, diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, "Do the Reggay", was the first ...
at the age of 15, when he spent a year at IONA High School in Jamaica, living with a Jamaican family, in a program sponsored by the
American Field Service
AFS Intercultural Programs (or AFS, originally the American Field Service) is an international youth exchange organization. It consists of over 50 independent, not-for-profit organizations, each with its own network of volunteers, professional ...
. Later on, he studied sound engineering at Recording Arts Canada in Toronto and Sound and Audio Engineering Institute in
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
.
He composed his first reggae song at the age of 15. His musical studies in Canada, long visit to Jamaica, and time spent living in France near the Swiss border, together with his international tours, form the cultural underpinnings of his artistic vision. He has collaborated with legends of
dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially, dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots reggae, roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s.Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2 ...
reggae such as
Capleton
Clifton George Bailey III (born 13 April 1967),Thompson, Dave (2002) ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', Backbeat Books, , pp. 67–69 better known by his stage name Capleton, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician. He is also referred to as Kin ...
,
Kiprich
Marlon Jaro Plunkett, better known as Kiprich, formerly known as ''Crazy Kid'', is a popular Jamaican dancehall deejay
A disc jockey, more commonly abbreviated as DJ, is a person who plays recorded music for an audience. Types of DJs in ...
, De Marco and
Anthony B
Keith Blair (born 31 March 1976), better known by the stage name Anthony B, is a Jamaican DJ and member of the Rastafari movement.Moskowitz, David V (2006) ''Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dance ...
.
Career
In 2002, at the age of 21, he was voted best DJ in Geneva. In 2003, he wrote a song for the movie "Destination Jamaica" by George Tait (Jungle George) In December 2003, his song "My Queen" was included in a DVD distributed with the Austrian surfers' magazine Methodmag (60,000 copies). In 2005 he was voted the best DJ in Switzerland, in a contest organized by Giddeon Productions. He was not able to take advantage of the prize, a concert on the main stage of Rototom Sunsplash Festival 2005, as he had committed to visit Jamaica that summer. He therefore gave the prize to Elijah, the runner-up in the competition. In 2007, Eliane Dambre of the Ateliers du Funambule, decided to nominate him for the
Eurovision
The Eurovision Song Contest (), often known simply as Eurovision, is an international song competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) among its members since 1956. Each participating broadcaster submits an origina ...
competition as Switzerland's candidate, (in competition with DJ Bobo), but the attempt was made too late to qualify him for the contest. More recently, in 2009, he won an award for "Best Reggae Song" in the Reggae Europe competition. He has hundreds of songs composed by him (music and lyrics), in French and English and in Jamaican slang, registered with the French-based Society of Lyricists, Composers and Music Editors (SACEM). In February 2013, he wins a podium at the Victories of Reggae 2013 in the category "Revelation of the Year". The Jamaican newspapers "Jamaican Observer" write a great article on his career in February 2013, February being the "Reggae Month" In June 2013, he wins the Price of the Public and the best author-composer price at the Zicmeup Competition in Paris organized by Zicmeup/the Voice. In 2015, he joins the TMMG Production group in Kingston and gets a VPal distribution for his single Prophecies Untold, followed in 2016 by "Eyes dem Red" and "Nah Give Up", and in 2017 by "One Phone Call". This collaboration between TMMG and Charly B has led to an album, being released at the end of 2017, with 14 tracks, called JOURNEY OF LIFE.
Studios in Jamaica
2009-2015: In summer 2009, after winning a competition with Reggae Europe with his song "My Sound", Reggae Europe offered the artist to do some recordings and videos at Geejam Studios in Jamaica. He there had the opportunity to meet with Jon Baker and his team, and several of the artists who recorded there (Grace Jones, Drake, Diplo, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, John Legend, No Doubt, Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, Florence and the Machine, Alborosie etc. etc. He recorded there the "Forever" album.
In 2015, he starts recording a new reggae album with TMMG, which will see the light at the end of 2017.
Encounters, tours and international invitations
Between 2009 and 2015, he meets and/or works with many artists, the Jolly Boys, Alborosie, the Shengen Clan, Agent Sasco (Assassin), Chronixx, 2Chainz, Mystic Davis (Aidonia) and many others. He is invited to perform and tour in Spain, Germany, Canada, the United States and Vietnam (Cama Festival and more). During that period, he also makes several videos, among which Ooh No (2009), The Way you wine (2009), Forever (2010), Everything OK (2012), Gypsy (2013), Prophecies Untold (2015), Nah Give Up (2016).
Discography
Albums
* 2000 : ''Chu-chu'' Stylordz Production – Canada
* 2001 : ''Move'' Stylordz Production – Canada
* 2002 : ''Vengeance to God'' Ladies Party
* 2003 : ''My Queen'' Pow Pow records – MethodMag – Europe
* 2004 : Album ''Reality'' Redhemption Production
* 2004 : Album ''More Reality'' Redhemption Production
* 2005 : Album ''Thugz Style'' Severely III Production, ''La plus belle femme''
Video clipon TVM3)
* 2006 : Album ''Family Affair'' Redhumption Production, Several titles in album ''Hemp Higher Sound''
* 2007 : Album ''International Ting – Charly B and the Official Band''
* 2008 : Album ''Zulu Nation'' Stylordz Production – Canada (Amazon.com an E-music.com)
* 2009 : Several titles in the album ''Redhemption Sound fi All Africans''
* 2010 : Album ''Tomorrow is just another day'' (with Henry P.).
* 2012: Album "Forever" French Edition released on 29 October 2012.
* 2015: Single "Prophecies untold" (TMMG/VPal)
* 2016: Single "Eyes dem Red" (TMMG/VPal)
* 2016: Single "Nah Give Up" (TMMG/VPal)
* 2017: Single "One Phone Call" (TMMG/VPal)
end 2017 will see the release of JOURNEY OF LIFE, 14 tracks Album, collaboration of the artist and TMMG
Singles
*''Rock and come in''
*''Le rêveur''
*''The dreamer''
*''Brown Eyes''
*"Prophecies Untold"
*"Eyes dem Red"
*"Nah Give Up"
*"One Phone Call"
Video clips
*''Chu-chu'' – shot in Canada
*''La plus belle femme'' – shot in Nyon, Switzerland
*''On s'empare de la party'' – shot with La Dixion in Switzerland
*''The way you wine''- shot in Port Antonio in Jamaica by the studios Geejam
*''Ooh No'' – shot in Toronto au Canada
*Two documentary videos – shot in Port Antonio en Jamaica
*Documentary video shot in New York November 2009 for the anniversary of Zulu Nation
*Vidéo of the radio interview in Toronto, Canada
*''Forever'' – shot in Port Antonio, Jamaica in September 2010.
*Video of the ROTOTOM Sunsplash festival concert in August 2010
*"Everything OK" - shot in Port Antonio, Jamaica, 2012
*"Gipsy" - shot at Trident Castle, Jamaica, 2013
*"Prophecies Untold" - shot between Portland and Kingston, Jamaica, 2015
*"Nah Give Up" - shot in Blue Mountain, Jamaica, 2016
TV Program
* 2016 – 15 July: Live on CVM TV at D’Wrap entertainment and lifestyle show
* 2016 – 24 May: Live on CVM TV at Sunrise
"Interview of Charly B by Winford Williams"2016 – May 14 : Live at "On Stage" programme on TV Jamaica
"Special Charly B"on TVM3's TRIBBU show, presented b
Philippe Morax(on the air 2005 Nov. 1, from 18h to 19h30).
Shows
* 2015-2016 - Various shows and festivals in Jamaica and the Caribbeans - check list o
"Charly B's personal website (events)"
*Summer 2003 – Sunrise Festival of Bagnols-sur-Ceze (France)
*7 January 2005 – Stadium of
Sembrancher
Sembrancher () is a municipality in the district of Entremont in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.
History
Sembrancher is first mentioned in 1177 as ''Sancti Pancratii de Branchi''. Its German name ''St Branschier'' is no longer used.
Geo ...
, Switzerland
*10 February 2005 – The Hacienda, Chambéry, France
*3 March 2005 – The Safari Bar –
Chamonix
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (; ; (no longer in use)), more commonly known simply as Chamonix (), is a communes of France, commune in the departments of France, department in the regions of France, region in Southeastern France. It was the site of the f ...
, France
*22 April 2005 – No'Limit – Courchevel, France
*13 May 2005 Le matin bleu, Annecy, France
*4 June 2005 – Salzhaus – Winterthur, Switzerland – Singjay Contest 2005
*10 June 2005 – Schiffbau,
Zurich
Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...
, Switzerland
*14–20 Nov. 2005 -Palexpo, Fair of
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland (first part of Michel Fugain)
*15 June 2005 – Reggae Radio
Zurich
Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...
, Switzerland – Radio show – final – Swiss Singjay Contest
*27 August 2005 – Turatznurg – Zollikon, Switzerland
*9 September 2005 – Flon Jugendkulturraum –
St. Gallen, Switzerland
*10 September 2005 – Salle du Séminaire – Porrentruy, Switzerland
*21 September 2005 – Doors 72 –
Bienne
Biel/Bienne (official bilingual wording; German: ''Biel'' ; French: ''Bienne'' ; locally ; ; ; ) is a bilingual city in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. With over 55,000 residents, it is the country's tenth-largest city by population. Th ...
, Switzerland
*18 November 2005 – Bist'rock café,
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland
*25 January 2006 – L'auberge du télé – Contamines, Montjoie, France
*7 January 2006 – Gaskessel – La Coupole –
Bienne
Biel/Bienne (official bilingual wording; German: ''Biel'' ; French: ''Bienne'' ; locally ; ; ; ) is a bilingual city in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. With over 55,000 residents, it is the country's tenth-largest city by population. Th ...
, Switzerland
*25 January 2006 – Contamines Montjoie, France
*18 February 2006 – Alte Kaserne,
Zürich
Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...
, Switzerland
*17 March 2006 – L'arcade –
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland
*6 April 2006 – Piment Rouge – Artamis,
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland
*28 April 2006 – Flon Jugendkulturraum –
St. Gallen Switzerland
*29 April 2006 – Sputnik – Mettmenstetten, Switzerland
*27 May 2006 – Kulturzentrum Schützi –
Olten
Olten (; High Alemannic: ''Oute'') is a town in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland and capital of the district of the same name.
Olten grew into a town during the Middle Ages at the location of a bridge over the Aare. After a period of de ...
, Switzerland
*30 September 2006 – La Coupole
Bienne
Biel/Bienne (official bilingual wording; German: ''Biel'' ; French: ''Bienne'' ; locally ; ; ; ) is a bilingual city in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. With over 55,000 residents, it is the country's tenth-largest city by population. Th ...
, Switzerland
*20 October 2006 – Ex-Cubitano,
Zurich
Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...
, Switzerland
*20 December 2006 – Le Chat Noir,
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland
*30 December 2006 Arcade,
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland
*5 January 2007 Piment Rouge,
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
(1st part of Yannis Odua), Switzerland
*6 January 2007 Cosy Bay,
Lausanne
Lausanne ( , ; ; ) is the capital and largest List of towns in Switzerland, city of the Swiss French-speaking Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Vaud, in Switzerland. It is a hilly city situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, about halfway bet ...
, Switzerland
*13 January 2007 KBar
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland
*19 January 2007 Loft – Crans Montana, Switzerland
*26 January 2007 – Loft, Crans Montana, Switzerland
*2 March 2007 Thyon les Collons (VS) Switzerland
*9 February 2007 – Doors 72 –
Bienne
Biel/Bienne (official bilingual wording; German: ''Biel'' ; French: ''Bienne'' ; locally ; ; ; ) is a bilingual city in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. With over 55,000 residents, it is the country's tenth-largest city by population. Th ...
, Switzerland
*22 February 2007 Matin Bleu, Annecy, France
*24 February 2007, Gringo Club,
Villars, Switzerland
*2 March 2007 Kbar,
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland
*9 mars 2007 – Jet d'eau – Le bateau
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland
*10 March 2007 Blue Moon Café, Logras, Rhône Alpes, France
*24 March 2007 Stand up festival, Bühlhalle, Switzerland
*20 April 2007 Kbar
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland
*26 April 2007 Zélig, Dorigny,
Lausanne
Lausanne ( , ; ; ) is the capital and largest List of towns in Switzerland, city of the Swiss French-speaking Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Vaud, in Switzerland. It is a hilly city situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, about halfway bet ...
, Switzerland
*27 April 2007 Le matin Bleu,
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland)
*Mai 2007: Concert au cours du Spectacle annuel des Ateliers du Funambule au théâtre de Terre-Sainte à Coppet, Switzerland
*7–10 June 2007 – Caribana FESTIVAL –
Nyon
Nyon (; historically German language, German: or and Italian language, Italian: , ) is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in Nyon District in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It is located some 25 kilometer ...
Switzerland
*30 June 2007 – Piment Rouge,
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland
*12 October 2007 Usine de Nyon –
Nyon
Nyon (; historically German language, German: or and Italian language, Italian: , ) is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in Nyon District in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It is located some 25 kilometer ...
, Switzerland
*7 December 2007 – Alte Kaserne,
Zurich
Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...
, Switzerland
*2 February 2008 – Gaskessel – La Coupole,
Bienne
Biel/Bienne (official bilingual wording; German: ''Biel'' ; French: ''Bienne'' ; locally ; ; ; ) is a bilingual city in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. With over 55,000 residents, it is the country's tenth-largest city by population. Th ...
, Switzerland
*16 February 2008 – Cosmos, Thyon les Collons – VS, Switzerland
*14 June 2008 –
Rote Fabrik
Rote Fabrik () is a former factory in the Wollishofen neighbourhood of Zurich, Switzerland. It is now used as a music venue and cultural centre. It is so named because the buildings are made of red brick, but also because left-wing parties w ...
,
Zurich
Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...
, Switzerland
*16 August 2008 – Lakesplash – Seematte Twaan, Switzerland
*15 September 2007 – Snowboard contest Tignes, France
*2 February 2008 – Concert à Gaskessel,
Bern
Bern (), or Berne (), ; ; ; . is the ''de facto'' Capital city, capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city".; ; ; . According to the Swiss constitution, the Swiss Confederation intentionally has no "capital", but Bern has gov ...
, Switzerland
*15 November 2008 – C.e.r.m – Martigny, Switzerland
*21 November 2008 – La Coupole,
Bienne
Biel/Bienne (official bilingual wording; German: ''Biel'' ; French: ''Bienne'' ; locally ; ; ; ) is a bilingual city in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. With over 55,000 residents, it is the country's tenth-largest city by population. Th ...
– Switzerland
*24 December 2008 – Alte Kaserne –
Zurich
Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...
– Switzerland
*24 April 2009 Celtic Tavern, Aurillac, France
*8 January 2009 – KAB de l'usine –
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
Switzerland
*9 January 2009 – Bar59 –
Luzern
Lucerne ( ) or Luzern ()Other languages: ; ; ; . is a city in central Switzerland, in the Languages of Switzerland, German-speaking portion of the country. Lucerne is the capital of the canton of Lucerne and part of the Lucerne (district), di ...
Switzerland
*10 April 2009 – Regg'Ain Festival, Segny, France
*27 June 2009 – Sky club –
Nyon
Nyon (; historically German language, German: or and Italian language, Italian: , ) is a Municipalities of Switzerland, municipality in Nyon District in the Cantons of Switzerland, canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It is located some 25 kilometer ...
Switzerland
*10 October 2009 –
Leipzig
Leipzig (, ; ; Upper Saxon: ; ) is the most populous city in the States of Germany, German state of Saxony. The city has a population of 628,718 inhabitants as of 2023. It is the List of cities in Germany by population, eighth-largest city in Ge ...
(Allemagne)
*November 2009 – New York (USA) (Anniversary Zulu Nation – Bronx) and Toronto
*12 December 2009 – Bar 59 –
Luzern
Lucerne ( ) or Luzern ()Other languages: ; ; ; . is a city in central Switzerland, in the Languages of Switzerland, German-speaking portion of the country. Lucerne is the capital of the canton of Lucerne and part of the Lucerne (district), di ...
Switzerland
*19 December 2009 – Bashment –
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
Switzerland
*26 December 2009 – Rockinton Music Pub – Thonon les bains (France)
*27 March 2010 Les Contamines Montjoie, France
*1–27 Mai 2010 – Vietnam Tour between Hanoï and
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) ('','' TP.HCM; ), commonly known as Saigon (; ), is the most populous city in Vietnam with a population of around 14 million in 2025.
The city's geography is defined by rivers and canals, of which the largest is Saigo ...
, Vietnam
*28 May 2010 – Reggae dancehall party – Saint-Genis, France
*23 July 2010 – Siroco Club –
Barcelona
Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...
, Spain
*24 August 2010 – 2010 in Benicassim in Spain
*27 November 2010 – Crystal Club, Port Antonio (Jamaica)
*26 February 2011 – Success Prod – St Genis (France) with Inout Experience Band from Paris
Notes and references
External links
CharlyB's official web siteReggae EuropeHanoi News
{{DEFAULTSORT:Charly B
Living people
1981 births
French reggae musicians
French reggae singers
21st-century French singers