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Date of birth: March 10, 1964, in Stockholm, Sweden
Neneh’s success as a musician rests on her blend of hip-hop with other musical influences. Her stepfather, Don Cherry, was a renowned jazz trumpet player. Some compare her with Madonna, but Neneh Cherry represents the antithesis of commercial hot-pants extravagance and songs with a fast-food flavour.
Neneh started her career after quitting school and heading for London, where she joined the punk-rock group, The Cherries. She then went on to join other groups, featuring first in the albums of the experimental funk group, Rip Rig & Panic, including God (1981), I am cold (1982) and Attitude (1983). After parting with the group she joined Float Up CP with whom she recorded the album Kill me in the morning en 1986. She then rapped in London clubs, bringing out the single, Stop the war, at the time of the Falklands crisis. In her subsequent records, the single Slow train to dawn and the album Raw like sushi (1989), most of the songs were written by Cameron McVey. Her interpretation of Buffalo stand — a fusion of pop and hip-hop launched her career. The singles, Manchild and Kisses on the wind were soon to follow.
No more was heard from Neneh Cherry until 1992 when her album, Homebrew, came out. But it wasn’t as successful as her previous one. Two years later she was back in the charts, singing Seven seconds with Youssou N' Dour. The latest album, Man, dates from 1996. Since then, she has been involved in the “Circus” project with Mc Solaar.
On October 8, 2005, Neneh Cherry will sing in the United against Malaria concert, Youssou N'Dour & Friends, at the Arena, Geneva.
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