Jan. 12, 2009 - The Reichhold Center for the Arts will kick off 2009 with a performance from international artists Les Nubians at 8 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Les Nubians, comprised of sisters Helene and Celia Faussart, have used their unique heritage to create an innovative sound in music. Born to a French father and Cameroonian mother, Les Nubians blends lyrics from their native French language with the sounds of R&B, reggae and hip hop. Their sound has been described as "Afropean."
Les Nubians has enjoyed great popularity on the neo-soul circuit, since the single "Makeda," from their debut CD, soared to the top of the Billboard R&B charts. That debut CD, "Princesses Nubiennes," has become one of the most successful French-language albums in the U.S. Their sophomore album, "One Step Forward," spawned the Grammy-nominated song "Je Veux D'la Musique."
Such critical recognition in the music industry marked a pivotal career moment for the sisters, who began singing as children. Born in France, Helene and Celia lived in Chad for seven years before returning to Bordeaux, France, as teens. Back in France, the duo began singing a capella and producing poetry slams in Paris. They also sang background vocals for various artists worldwide, until releasing their debut album.
Their songs, delivered in perfect blended harmony, offer conscious and positive lyrics about love, peace and world harmony.

In 2005 Les Nubians executive produced "Echos, Chapter One" on their label Nubiatik. The project features artists from France and the U.S. performing poetry and music. In 2006, Les Nubians released "Echos, Chapter One: Nubian Voyager" as a book accompaniment to the CD.
Part of the acclaimed Red Hot & Riot Collective, it has shared the microphone with Yerba Buena, Me'Shell Ndegecello and Baaba Maal, paying tribute to Africa.
Les Nubians have collaborated with many others artists around the globe, including Talib Kweli, the Black Eyed Peas, Morgan Heritage, Manu Dibango and Henri Salvador.
Tickets are $52, $38 and $28, and are available at Modern Music, V.I. Bridal and Tuxedo, Urban Threadz, Essentric Shoes, Island Video (Nisky), Home Again (Red Hook), the UVI Bookstore, and the Reichhold Center box office at 693-1559.
Sponsors include: First Bank, First Insurance, Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Resort, VI Council on the Arts, and Innovative Cable TV.