Chimi-chimiyé is a unique and playful word, likely a made-up term or a very specific slang, that gives the song its title. It's not a standard French word, which makes it incredibly intriguing and memorable.
In the lyrics, Aya Nakamura sings, "Il me parle en chimi-chimiyé," which implies that the person is speaking nonsense or in a way she doesn't understand or care for. It perfectly captures the song's sassy and independent tone, making you curious about what else she's saying!
“Chimiyé” is a spirited snapshot of modern love in which Aya Nakamura balances her independent, diva-like confidence with a lover’s dream of settling down (house, kids, quiet life). Throughout the track she teases him with rapid-fire slang, saying she “speaks Chinese,” so his romantic promises sound like mysterious chimi-chimiyé chatter to her ears. Aya admits she can be “têtue” (stubborn) and full of caprices, yet she also knows he is mesmerized by her artistic allure and bold personality. The song becomes a flirtatious tug-of-war: he pushes for commitment, she pulls back to protect her freedom, and in the playful French street-talk that colors the lyrics, we hear both the sweetness and tension of a relationship trying to decide whether to stay carefree or grow up together.
Aya Nakamura is a French singer-songwriter born in Bamako, Mali, who grew up in Aulnay-sous-Bois near Paris. Her family comes from a long line of griots, West African storytellers and praise singers, and that oral tradition still echoes through her playful, slang-filled lyrics.
She broke through in 2018 with the single "Djadja," which made her the first French female artist to reach diamond certification and turned her into a streaming phenomenon across Europe. Blending pop, R&B, zouk, and Afrobeats, Nakamura built a sound that mixes French with West African slang and Antillean Creole expressions, giving her music a playful, code-switching flavor that's instantly recognizable.
Today she's widely recognized as the most-streamed female artist in France, known for hits like "Copines" and "Pookie" alongside a string of chart-topping albums.