Tchami
{{short description|French DJ (born 1985)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Tchami
| image = Tchami Performing at Rebel, Toronto.png
| caption = Tchami performing at Rebel in Toronto, 2018
| landscape = yes
| birth_name = Martin Joseph Léonard Bresso{{cite news|url=https://mobile.ascap.com/aceclient/AceClient/#ace/writer/2393027/BRESSO%20MARTIN%20JOSEPH%20LEONARD|title=Tchami Credits|publisher=mobile.ascap.com}}
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|05|12|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Cahors, Occitanie,{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F9K3cMDsQs | title=EMF 2017 - Tchami en interview | website=YouTube | date=15 July 2017 }} France{{cite magazine |last1=Venzin |first1=Megan |date=8 April 2020 |title=The gospel according to Tchami |url=https://djmag.com/longreads/gospel-according-tchami |magazine=DJ Mag |publisher=Thrust Publishing Ltd. |quote=Bresso was born in a village in the southwest of France, where he lived with his parents and his two younger sisters. They moved to the outskirts of Paris when he was eight years old, but his musical education began well before that. }}
| genre = House, future house, deep house, UK garage
| occupation = Producer, DJ
| years_active = 2013–present
| label = Spinnin' Records, Ministry of Sound, Fool's Gold Records, Defected Records, Confession, Owsla{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/thefuturehouse/posts/721977367932134|title=Future House - Timeline - Facebook|website=Facebook }}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|DJ Snake|Mercer|Malaa|Pardon My French|Nostalgix}}
}}
Martin Joseph Léonard Bresso ({{IPA|fr|maʁtɛ̃ ʒozɛf leɔnaʁ bʁeso}}; born 12 May 1985), better known by his stage name Tchami ({{IPA|fr|tʃami|IPA}}), is a French record producer and DJ from Paris.{{Cite web |title=DAD Mix 057: Tchami |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2013/12/dad-mix-057-tchami |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Complex |language=en}} A founding member of the Pardon My French collective, he is best known for his solo work and regarded as a pioneer of the future house genre – the term for which he coined – alongside Dutch DJs Oliver Heldens and Don Diablo.{{Cite news|url=http://earmilk.com/2016/08/08/angelz-reveals-details-behind-his-thrilling-saint-thug-ep-interview/|title=ANGELZ reveals details behind his thrilling 'Saint Thug' EP [Interview]|last=Genosa|first=Wendel|date=8 August 2016|newspaper=Earmilk |access-date=23 December 2016}}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/8006654/best-future-house-music-tracks-of-all-time-edm |title=Oliver Heldens' 20 Best Future House Songs Ever |magazine=Billboard |access-date=26 January 2018}}
When asked about the origins of his name Tchami, he explained, "I used to travel a lot across Europe and Africa these past five years. Tchami is a name that has been given to me in Africa which is an honour. Fortunately it sounded catchy to me, so I kept it."
Tchami often performs with the persona of a priest and a church theme. He wears a clerical collar and includes visuals such as an altar and stained glass windows. In an interview he explained that "it is my message, being spiritual. I think my music is about that too".{{Cite web |title=TCHAMI ON CONFESSION'S DIRECTION, HIS PRIEST PERSONA, AND A RETURN TO MELODIES [INTERVIEW] |url=https://edm.com/interviews/tchami-confession-tour-interview-nyc |access-date=21 November 2018 |website=EDM|date=19 November 2018 }}
Musical style
Tchami most commonly produces music he has called future house. In an interview with Complex Media, Tchami said
{{Blockquote|text=I don't know what Future House is. It's whatever you create that doesn't exist before you created it. Didn't mean to confuse anybody, but a lot of people asked me how to do future house. I would like to say do what you want buddy, go outside the rules, tweak the knobs, push the green to the red and make something you love. If it doesn't sounds like everybody on the scene right now that means you won. You challenged yourself and succeed no matter if the light is on you or not, it will if you keep doing your thing. What I'm doing isn't totally new. I have a lot of inspirations. From Kashif's bass lines to Todd Edwards' [style of chopping] vocals (and many more…). At the end of the day it's not the "what" it's the "how" you do it that will make the difference. This is where your culture and your musical background is so important. This is why I made the "Stressed Out" remix. Because it's an important record in my life.|author=Tchami|title=|source=DAD Mix 057: Tchami}}
Career
=2013–2014=
On 5 December 2013, Tchami released his first EP "Promesses" for free under the Fool's Gold Records label. Both of the EP's tracks were re-released as singles; "Shot Caller" on 17 December 2014,{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/shot-caller-single/id953364227|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304053747/https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/shot-caller-single/id953364227|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2015|title=Shot Caller - Single de Tchami sur Apple Music|website=iTunes }} and "Promesses" on 4 January 2015 under Ministry of Sound, which features vocals from Kaleem Taylor. The latter peaked at number 7 on the Official Singles Chart. On 18 April 2014, Tchami released his debut single "Untrue" under the Spinnin' Records label.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/untrue-single/id845128634|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304053745/https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/untrue-single/id845128634|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2015|title=Untrue - Single de Tchami sur Apple Music|website=iTunes }} Tchami had co-wrote DJ Snake's and Lil Jon's hit single "Turn Down for What".{{Cite web|url=http://www.youredm.com/2014/12/22/tchami-co-wrote-dj-snakes-biggest-track-year/|title=Tchami Co-Wrote DJ Snake's Biggest Track of the Year|last=Spence|first=K|date=22 December 2014|website=Your EDM|access-date=23 December 2016}}
= 2015–present =
He launched his own record label, called Confession.{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/6769080/tchami-confession-label-ep-exclusive|title=Tchami Launches Confession Record Label & Announces New EP: Exclusive|last=Rishti|first=David|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=23 December 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.youredm.com/2015/11/17/incoming-new-record-label-minimix-ep-from-tchami/|title=Tchami Challenges Oliver Heldens For Future House Throne With Epic New Project|last=Tost|first=Miguel|date=17 November 2015|website=Your EDM|access-date=23 December 2016}}
On 12 March 2015, he announced his debut extended play titled After Life.{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/code/6495128/premiere-tchami-ponders-after-life-on-new-ep-music-video|title=Exclusive Premiere: Tchami Ponders 'After Life' on New EP, Music Video|last=Medved|first=Matt|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=23 December 2016}} He uploaded his new song "After Life" featuring vocals from Stacy Barthe and is part of the After Life EP along with "Missing You", which has also been released by Tchami and AC Slater.{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2015/06/tchami-new-video-premiere-missing-you-feat-ac-slater-kaleem-taylor|title=Premiere: Tchami Takes Us Deeper Into 'The After Life' on "Missing You"|last=Khal|website=Complex|access-date=23 December 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://thump.vice.com/en_ca/mixes/mixed-by-tchami|title=MIXED by Tchami – Thump|publisher=Vice.com|accessdate=6 May 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://exeter.tab.co.uk/2013/11/12/tablature-introducing-tchami/|title=Tablature: Introducing Tchami|publisher=The Tab|accessdate=6 May 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/3462852-Tchami|title=Tchami Discography at Discogs|publisher=Discogs.com|accessdate=6 May 2014}} In October 2015, Tchami and fellow electronic producer DJ Snake were injured in a car crash.{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/6745165/dj-snake-tchami-injured-car-accident-cancel-tour-dates|title=DJ Snake and Tchami Injured in Car Accident, Cancel Tour Dates|last=Medved|first=Matt|date=28 October 2015|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=23 December 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.youredm.com/2015/10/27/dj-snake-tchami-in-car-crash-injuries-sustained-and-tour-halted/|title=BREAKING: Tchami, DJ Snake & Manager Involved In Serious Car Crash|last=Rubinstein|first=Peter|date=27 October 2015|website=Your EDM|access-date=23 December 2016}}{{Cite news|url=http://wegotthiscovered.com/music/dj-snake-tchami-injured-car-accident/|title=DJ Snake And Tchami Injured In Car Accident|last=Cameron|first=John|date=28 October 2015|newspaper=We Got This Covered|language=en-US|access-date=23 December 2016}}{{Cite news|url=http://mixmag.net/read/dj-snake-and-tchami-involved-in-car-crash-news|title=DJ Snake and Tchami postpone tour after car crash|last=Markham|first=Alice|newspaper=Mixmag|access-date=23 December 2016}} Consequently, both artists missed a scheduled performance at Toronto's [http://www.monstermash.ca/ Monster Mash festival].{{cite news|url=http://www.ministryofsound.com/magazine/2015/10/28/tchami-dj-snake-car-crash#9LAyf26IITX5oM0K.97|title= French producers Tchami and DJ Snake have been involved in a serious car accident
|accessdate=7 November 2015|publisher=Ministry of Sound}} His remix of AlunaGeorge's "You Know You Like It" was featured in the soundtrack of the 2015 movie "We Are Your Friends".{{Cite news|url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/44743/20150805/we-are-your-friends-movie-soundtrack-kygo-tchami-pusha-t.htm|title='We Are Your Friends' Movie Soundtrack: Kygo, Tchami, Pusha T Featured|last=Middleton|first=Ryan|date=5 August 2015|newspaper=Music Times|access-date=23 December 2016}}
After an 8-month break following the After Life EP, Tchami released "Siaw" on his own record label Confession as a free download on 18 August 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youredm.com/2016/08/18/tchami-releases-crazy-weird-single-siaw/|title=Tchami Releases Crazy Awesome Single "SIAW"|first=Matthew|last=Meadow|date=18 August 2016}} The track was an experimental bass house influenced track which sampled KRS-One's Step Into A World (Rapture's Delight).{{Cite web|url=http://www.whosampled.com/sample/447027/Tchami-SIAW-KRS-One-Step-Into-a-World-(Rapture%27s-Delight)/|title = Tchami's 'SIAW' - Discover the Sample Source| website=WhoSampled }} He then went on to release his only single of 2016, "Prophecy", on 20 September 2016. The track was a collaboration with mysterious Parisian producer Malaa, and again featured a more experimental bass house element compared to much of Tchami's earlier work.
On 3 February 2017, Tchami released "Adieu", widely believed the 1st single of his rumoured upcoming second EP.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youredm.com/2017/02/03/tchami-bids-adieu-new-track/|title=Tchami Bids Farewell To Future House But Still Astonishes [MUST LISTEN]|first=Cody|last=Smith|date=4 February 2017}} The track was once again experimental, this time calmer than much of Tchami's earlier work. Tchami also released "World To Me" featuring London singer MNEK on Spotify, however the track was quickly made private although not taken down for unknown reasons. The track was included in his second EP, "Revelations EP", with new vocals from Luke James, alongside Adieu, Taiki Nulight collaboration "Godspell" (previously known among the dance music community unofficially as "Godspeed" and "Fallin"),{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/heldeepradio/oliver-heldens-heldeep-radio-139|title=Oliver Heldens - Heldeep Radio #139|via=soundcloud.com}} "Zeal", "Adieu, Pt. ll" and a Kaelyn Behr collaboration "Don't Let Me Down".{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/hexagon/don-diablo-hexagon-radio-episode-106|title=Don Diablo - Hexagon Radio Episode 106|via=soundcloud.com}} The Revelations EP was released on 25 August 2017.
His first full-length album, titled "Year Zero" was announced in the first half of 2020.{{Cite web|title=Tchami|url=https://www.facebook.com/iamTchami/posts/2898760233577753|access-date=11 October 2020|website=www.facebook.com|language=en}} Some singles from the album and other songs he released in 2020 include "Proud" featuring vocals by Daecolm, "Ghosts" featuring vocals by HANA, "Buenos Aires", "Born Again", "Faith" featuring vocals sampled from Marlena Shaw, and "Praise" featuring vocals by Gunna (rapper). In 2020, he also released a remix for Justin Martin's song "Stay" featuring vocals from Dalilah.
= Pardon My French =
He is currently part of the Pardon My French team, a collective of four French DJs composed of DJ Snake, Mercer, Malaa and himself. Throughout the year 2016 and early 2017, DJ Snake did a world tour with Pardon My French Tour with Tchami and Mercer.
= Confession =
In 2015, Tchami announced that he would be launching a new record label called "Confession".{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/6769080/tchami-confession-label-ep-exclusive|title=Tchami Launches Confession Record Label & Announces New EP: Exclusive|date=17 November 2015|magazine=Billboard}} Throughout late 2018 Tchami toured North America with other DJs signed to the Confession label for the Confession tour.
Discography
{{main|Tchami discography}}
Live performances
=Something Wicked=
- 29 October 2017 - Sam Houston Race Park Houston, TX{{Cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/tchami|title=Tchami's Concert & Tour History | Concert Archives|website=www.concertarchives.org}}
- 28 December 2017 - Shaw Conference Centre Edmonton, Alberta
=Decadance 2017=
- 30 December 2017 - Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO
=No Redemption Tour (Tchami and Malaa)=
- 10 November 2017 - World Market Center Las Vegas, NV
- 11 November 2017 - Shrine Expo Hall Los Angeles, CA
- 17 November 2017 - Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA
- 18 November 2017 - The Tabernacle Atlanta, GA
- 22 November 2017 - City National Civic San Jose, CA
- 24 November 2017 - Rebel Toronto, Canada
- 25 November 2017 - New City Gas Montreal, Canada
- 1 December 2017 - Brooklyn Hangar Brooklyn, NY
- 2 December 2017 - Echostage Washington, DC
- 8 December 2017 - The Fillmore Miami, FL
- 9 December 2017 - Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL{{Cite web|url=https://www.axs.com/tchami-malaa-plot-11-stop-north-american-no-redemption-tour-123387|title=Tchami & Malaa plot 11-stop North American No Redemption Tour}}
=CRSSD Festival=
=EDC Mexico 2018=
=Tchami x Malaa=
- 24 March 2018 - Ultra Music Festival, Miami, FL
- 4 May 2018 - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, CA
- 11 May 2018 - Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
- 21 July 2018 - Parookaville, Weeze, Germany
- 30 December 2018 - Rhythm & Vines, Gisborne, New Zealand
- 3 July 2019 - Balaton Sound, Zamárdi, Hungary
- 7 July 2019 - Electric Love, Salzburg, Austria
- 20 July 2019 - Parookaville, Weeze, Germany
- 21 July 2019 - Sunrise Festival, Kołobrzeg, Poland
- 26 July 2019 - Tomorrowland, Boom, Belgium
- 25 August 2019 - Mysteryland, Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands
- 30 December 2019 - SnowGlobe Festival, Lake Tahoe, CA
- 31 December 2019 - Resolution Festival NYE, WaMu Theater, Seattle, WA
=Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival=
- 16 & 23 April 2016 - Indio, California
- 11 & 18 April 2020 - Indio, California (Postponed / Cancelled)
- April 2022 - Indio, California
=Ultra Music Festival=
- 24 March 2017 Mainstage Miami, FL{{Cite web|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/ultra-music-festival-2017-set-times-and-phase-3-lineup-released-9196117|title=Ultra Music Festival 2017 Set Times and Phase 3 Lineup Released|first=Jose D.|last=Duran|date=9 March 2017|website=Miami New Times}}
- 24 March 2018 Live Stage Miami, FL{{Cite web|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/ultra-music-festival-2018-full-lineup-and-set-times-10192826|title=Here Are the Ultra Music Festival 2018 Set Times|first=Jose D.|last=Duran|date=22 March 2018|website=Miami New Times}}
- 30 March 2019 Mainstage Miami, FL{{Cite web|url=https://weraveyou.com/2019/04/tchami-ultra-2019/|title=Relive Tchami's jaw-dropping performance from Ultra 2019|date=2 April 2019|website=We Rave You|language=en-US|access-date=15 July 2019}}
- 26 March 2023 Mainstage Miami, FL{{Cite web |title=Set Times · Ultra Music Festival |url=https://ultramusicfestival.com/set-times/ |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=Ultra Music Festival |language=en-US}}
=The Calling=
- 13 April 2023 - Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago, IL
- 11 April 2024 - Angel Orensanz Foundation New York, NY
- 12 April 2024 - Theatre Paradoxe Montreal, Canada
- 13 April 2024 - Masonic Cathedral Theatre, Detroit, MI
''[[DJ Mag]]'' Top 100 DJs
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! Year ! Peak Position ! Notes ! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| 2014
| 118 | Out |
| 2015
| 62 | Up 56 |
| 2016
| 109 | Exit (Down 47) |
| 2017
| 95 | Re Entry (Up 14) |
| 2018
| 82 | Up 13 |
| 2019
| 120 | Exit (Down 38) |
| 2020
|145 |Down 25 |