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Date of birth: April 29, 1974 in Jakarta, Indonesia
Musical style: Soul
Anggun’s destiny has followed musical, spiritual and geographic paths. Dance, song and the piano are her natural means of expression and her childhood playground has expanded onto the stage. Although an Indonesian singer of international renown, she’s perfectly at home in the French musical scene. French flair pervades her exotic soul numbers. However, she does not particularly like being labelled in the “world music” category, as is often the case in the United States, for example.
Indonesia, her country of 13,000 islands, fell in love with her and watched her grow. Starting as a child mascot, she later embodied youth’s fascination for the West and the excitement of rock. Her discs sold by the millions, her concerts packed stadiums, but the emerging woman dreamed of other horizons, of crossing the oceans and starting again from scratch. First London, then Paris with decisive meetings that led to contracts with a big French music publisher in 1997. Her major success, La Neige Au Sahara, was the most played song on French radio in 1988 and the album became a double golden record. More than 35 other countries were soon captivated by her charm. After several years abroad, Anggun finally came home. Her first single, Être une femme was a revelation. With urban themes, staccato rhythms and hard-hitting lyrics, Anggun once more entices us into unexpected territories.
Personality:
Messenger of musical unions astride two cultures, Anggun reveals a soul sometimes hurt by isolation but often invigorated by new adventures. Anggun’s talent and career are unique. French-speaking Europe opened its doors to her, and in return, she opened her heart, showing millions of fans the image of a free woman, touched with grace and the affinities between French and Asian cultures. In some Asian countries, especially Indonesia, the land of her birth, the new life of this French citizen has inspired young people to learn French. These cultural as well as commercial achievements established her reputation at the Midem 2003 world music market, where she won a Diamond Record award for her sales outside France.
Commitments:
Since she has lived in France, Anggun has been associated with several humanitarian causes including the restaurants du coeur in 1999, and voix de l'espoir in 2000.
Anggun was appointed spokeswoman of the International Year of Microcredit 2005.
On October 8, 2005, Anggun will sing in the United against Malaria concert, Youssou N'Dour & Friends, at the Arena, Geneva.
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