by Evan C. GutierrezQuebecois singer/songwriter Nicola Ciccone displayed a talent and affinity for writing music early in life. He began writing at the age of 12; his first compositions were English-language songs, but it was his French material that gained him recognition, starting in his late teen years. In 1998, at age 24, Ciccone won the Ma Premiere Place de Arts. His first recording contract was soon to follow. While studying child psychology at McGill University in Montreal, Ciccone released his debut record, L'Opera du Mendiant (The Opera of the Beggar), in 1999. In addition to great critical acclaim, including two JUNO Award nominations in 2001, the record sold an unexpected 60,000 units. In that same year, he released his second full-length album, Noctambule, a concept album incorporating rock influences and creative storytelling lyrical themes. Ciccone took to the road in support of his recent recording projects, proving as confident, vibrant, and popular on-stage as on the airwaves. In 2003 his third full-length, J'T'aime Tout Court, was released, and spent several weeks at number one on the adult contemporary charts. It didn't take long for the record to reach gold status, selling 50,000 units. A year later that number had nearly doubled, and Ciccone's record label decided to release the album in Europe. The title cut won Ciccone his first Felix Award in 2004. In 2006 he started recording his fourth project, Nous Serons Six Milliards, which was released in the fall of that year.