About Me
UPDATE!! It's official!! Corneille has been signed with Motown in the United States!! Motown will also be Corneille's label for the rest of the World, except for France, Canada, and Japan which have remained Wagram, DEJA Musique, and Sony International, respectively.
We are very excited about this new development and we will keep you posted as more information becomes available.
Corneille's third studio album, 'The Birth of Cornelius' released in Japan on June 20th, in France on July 2nd, and in Canada on July 3rd. Airplay for 'Too Much of Everything' was rated third in the international category, nationwide in Japan, and two showcases in Tokyo and Osaka were standing room only.
Corneille Nyungura was born on March 24, 1977, in Fribourg, Germany,
to his parents who were completing their University studies there. He
lived there for 6 years, until he was brought to live in his country
of origin, Rwanda. He lived in a village for a short time, before
moving to Rwanda’s capitol, Kigali.
Corneille developed an interest in music early on, and it was an
interest his father supported and encouraged. His influences included
Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole
as well as Prince and other artists. At 16 years old Corneille made his first recording, and was selected
as a finalist in a music contest sponsored by the state run
television station in Kigali. Corneille's childhood could be
characterized as normal for a somewhat privileged youth brought up in
a family with caring, highly educated parents.
Daily life in Kigali changed dramatically in 1994, when former
President Habyarimana was assassinated, and the largest, most
horrific genocide in modern history claimed over 800,000 victims.
Corneille managed to escape first to Kinshasa, and then to Germany,
where he was adopted by friends of his parents. He stayed in Germany
for three years completing his baccalaureate studies, before arriving
ultimately in Montréal. Corneille enrolled in University when he
landed in Montréal, but his focus was immediately diverted to music.
In Montréal at 20 years old, Corneille formed a band called O.N.E.,
meaning Original New Element. O.N.E. achieved modest success, thanks
in part to a Ms. Jodi Richards, who supported and advised the band.
When O.N.E. disbanded in 2001, Corneille again turned to Ms. Richards
for advice. Ms. Richards imparted the belief that you are only an
artist when you know what your art means, which became a guiding
principal for Corneille.
In 2002 Corneille released his first studio album, ‘Parce Qu’on
Vient de Loin.’ Initially, ‘Parce Qu’on Vient de Loin’ went
for the most part unnoticed in Canada, but due in large part to
promotional efforts made by Wagram, Corneille’s label in France,
Corneille’s first album’s sales skyrocketed. ‘Ensemble’ and
‘Sans Rancunes,’ were the first two hit singles from the album.
Sales of ‘Parce Qu’on Vient de Loin’ gathered powerful momentum,
but the album was still virtually unnoticed in Canada. DKD’s (now
DEJA Musique CEO) Janie Duquette completely re-released the album,
with ‘Rêves de Star’ as the first single. By 2004 sales of
‘Parce Qu’on Vient de Loin’ on both sides of the Atlantic were
booming. With sales reaching Platinum status in Canada, Corneille
received his first Felix Award for Best Male Artist selected by the
public at the ‘Gala de la Disque’ in Montréal. Meanwhile in
France sales of the album reached over 500,000 copies. Now, sales of
‘Parce Qu’on Vient de Loin’ are at over a million.
In 2005 Corneille’s ascent continued, as he recorded a song with
Senegalese superstar Youssou N’Dour, in support of Unicef and the
fight against AIDS. Corneille is a Red Cross Canada spokeperson, has
been made a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, and continues to be active in
those and other humanitarian roles.
In 2005 Corneille’s second studio album, ‘Les Marchands de
Rêves’ was released to rave critical reviews, and is currently
enjoying strong sales in both Canada in France. ‘Les Marchands de
Rêves’ with an adult appeal, underlines Corneille’s diversity as
a songwriter. In addition to an overwhelming fan welcome in Senegal
during a festival in 2005, Corneille has performed representing
Canada at Aichi Expo in Japan, and has completed several tours in
Europe and Canada. A large tour and France in the Spring of 2006
included 60 dates, and had a total attendance of over 200,000 fans,
and was followed by an acoustic tourin the Fall of 2006. In December
2006, Corneille performed at Montréal’s Centre Bell to rave
reviews. Currently Corneille is in the studio recording third studio
album, which will be his first album in English.
Corneille's third studio album, and first English album, "The Birth of Cornelius" is available NOW in France, Japan, and Canada.
