LONDON (Reuters) - A former goat herder and male stripper has sold twice as many records as Madonna in recent weeks to become the first Arab to top the British pop singles chart since records began 44 years ago.
"Mashallah (Thank God) - it's beyond dreams. To know that I'm the first Arab to do that, it's a very proud moment," Chico told Reuters in an interview.
His debut single, "It's Chico Time", is enjoying its second week in the top spot.
Born in Wales of Moroccan parentage, 34-year-old Chico came to prominence on prime-time British television talent show, "X-Factor", where his personality, dance routines and cheeky grin compensated for his singing.
"I've been trying for fifteen years, been knocking on doors, and nothing's ever happened. Then suddenly this!" said Chico, whose real name is Yousseph Slimani.
Of all the artists he would most like to sing with, it is Madonna he chooses, referring to her as a "living legend".
"I wouldn't mind dueting with Madonna, so I can say, 'Sorry for knocking you off the top spot'," said Chico, after dethroning the Queen of Pop. Madonna's "Sorry" was her 12th number one, but major music retailer HMV said Chico outsold her by a margin of two to one to peak the charts.
Chico was raised in Morocco by his grandparents until the age of 13. During his childhood he worked as a goat herder before leaving for Britain.
"I lived with my grandparents in Aroubia, in the mountains, and was a goat herder. What a life -- I was brought up on a thousand-year tradition."
In Britain he worked as a "exotic male dancer" to pay the medical bills for his grandmother after she suffered a stroke and wished to travel for healing to the Islamic holy city of Mecca.
"God works in mysterious ways - I ended up saving enough money and sending my grandparents to Mecca," said Chico.

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hmm,interesting....teringat plak satu statement ni: " world world jugak, akhirat jgn lupa....."