Hyleen
French Neo-Soul GuitarBiography
Born in 1991, Hyleen is a talented singer-songwriter and guitarist from the French coast who has established herself as one of France’s most promising neo-soul artists. Self-taught and driven passion, she has developed a distinctive sound that draws from multiple musical traditions while maintaining a unique voice in the contemporary music scene.
She gained wider attention with her single “Looking At” from the 2017 album “B-SIDE,” released through the French label La Note Bleue Productions. The album, featuring 13 tracks, was also distributed in Japan through Sweet Soul Records, establishing her presence in the international music community.
Musical Journey
Hyleen’s musical path began with self-exploration and a deep connection to soul, funk, jazz, and R&B traditions. After two years of intense study in modern music, she decided to focus on developing her own musical identity and projects.
Her journey has taken her through collaborations with remarkable artists and performances at prestigious venues, steadily building her reputation as a gifted vocalist and guitarist who can effortlessly blend technical prowess with emotional depth.
Early Influences & Key Milestones
- Began as a self-taught musician, developing her own distinctive approach to guitar and vocals
- Deeply influenced soul, jazz, and neo-soul movements
- Released her first collaborative work “ELUSIVE” with GOTTA in 2013
- Breakthrough album “U & I” in 2014 featured collaborations with established artists
- Became a Yamaha Guitar Artist and Line 6 Artist, endorsements that recognized her technical skill
Discography
- ELUSIVE (2013) Listen Collaboration with GOTTA featuring tracks like “AMERICAN BOY,” “GEORGY PORGY,” “LA JAVANAISE,” and “BABY LOVE.”
- U & I (2014) Listen Featured English singer Omar, pianist Franck McComb, and drummers Chris Dave and Markus Parker.
- B-Side (2017) Listen Breakthrough album with 13 tracks including “Dark Knight,” “Looking At,” “My First of All,” “Breeze,” and “I Just Wonder.”
- My Queen (2019) Soulful single with accompanying ethereal music video.
- Till My Heart Says Stop (2024) Latest release showcasing her continued evolution as an artist.
Live Performances
Hyleen has captivated audiences with her expressive vocals and masterful guitar work at venues across France and internationally. Her performances showcase not only her technical skill but also her ability to connect emotionally with audiences.
Collaborations
Despite her young age, Hyleen has collaborated with acclaimed musicians across her career, demonstrating both her talent and versatility:
- Omar – English neo-soul singer featured on her 2014 album “U & I”
- Franck McComb – Renowned pianist who collaborated on “U & I”
- Chris Dave – Accomplished drummer known for his work with Adele, Erykah Badu, and Robert Glasper
- Nicolas Viccaro – Dynamic drummer who contributed to “B-Side”
- Fred Dupont – Pianist who helped shape the sound of her breakthrough album
- Ben Asnar – Bassist who provided the rhythmic foundation for her work
- Michael Lecoq – French pianist with whom she performed at the Yamaha NAMM convention in Los Angeles
In 2015, Hyleen participated in “Jam to the Wild,” a tribute to the legendary Nina Simone, and opened for acclaimed jazz and R&B singer José James at a renowned jazz club in Paris.
Artistic Style
Hyleen’s musicality is defined several distinctive elements:
- A warm, powerful, and husky voice that conveys deep emotion
- Guitar playing that balances technical skill with emotional expressiveness
- A unique fusion of neo-soul, jazz, funk, and R&B into a cohesive sound
- Compositions characterized rich harmonies and soulful melodies
- Lyrics that explore themes of love, resilience, and personal growth
“Her music could be described as a unique fusion of Soul, Funk, Neo-soul, Pop with a touch of jazz and rich harmonies. Hyleen is a self-taught musician who enjoys writing music and performing on stage.” — Prime Tours & Promotion
Watch Hyleen in Action
Show full performance: Hyleen – Live Moment “DARK KNIGHT”
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Looking At (Live)
Live performance at Yamaha Music France showcasing her signature single.
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Live at Musikmesse 2018
Performance at the Frankfurt Musikmesse music trade fair.
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JazzrockTV Session
Jam In The Basement Live Sessions in Cologne.
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“Last Dance” Cover
Soulful rendition of Donna Summer’s classic.
