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Dystinct
Moroccan-Belgian singer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Iliass Mansouri (Arabic: إلياس المنصوري), known professionally as Dystinct (stylized in all caps), is a Belgian-Moroccan singer-songwriter and music producer.[1][2]
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Early life
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Iliass Mansouri, known professionally as Dystinct, was born on September 9, 1998, in Mortsel, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, to a Moroccan family. He grew up in the Zurenborg neighborhood of Antwerp. In addition to Belgian nationality, he also holds Moroccan nationality. During his youth, he played football at Dageraadplaats near his neighborhood in Antwerp. Later, he followed in his father's footsteps, who was a singer, abandoning his passion for football and turning towards music production before beginning to sing at the age of fourteen. He started developing his art through English covers and then moved on to composing in Dutch, often mixing languages.[3][4]
At eighteen, while his family moved to Molenbeek-Saint-Jean in the Étangs Noirs neighborhood, Dystinct relocated to Amsterdam, Netherlands, after signing his first contract with Avalon Music, where he began collaborating with various Dutch artists.[5][6]
He took on several jobs, from call center advisor to accounting assistant. Iliass negotiated with his mother for a gap year after obtaining his bachelor's degree, promising to fully commit to music for a year. If he didn't succeed, he pledged to return to his studies. With a contract from Avalon Music, Dystinct released his first Dutch-language songs, including the audio track "Panamera." He also released his first music videos, such as "No Ring Ring," and collaborated with Moroccan artist Chawki on the track "Zina." Aiming to popularize his name in the Benelux and Maghreb regions, Dystinct quickly engaged in international collaborations, notably in 2018 with French rapper Franglish for a track on his album titled "Que Pasa".[7]
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Career
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First Project: Mon Voyage (2018–2021)
Influenced by pop culture and the Dutch "allochtoon" (immigrant) music scene, Mansouri chose the title Mon Voyage ("My Journey") for his debut studio album, aiming to tell the story of his musical path. As he explained in an interview with Belgian press:[8]
"It’s about my journey, my path in music."
The album featured collaborations with Dutch artists 3robi & Chivv, Moroccan artists Chawki & Inkonnu, French artist Souf, German artist Ardian Bujupi, and Belgian artist Tawsen.[9] Released on July 9, 2021, the album broke records as the best-selling album in Morocco in 2021.[10]
International Breakthrough with Ghazali (2021–2022)
In early 2021, Dystinct recorded Ghazali ("My Beauty" in French) with Belgian rapper Bryan Mg, produced by Dutch duo YAM & Unleaded (from Avalon Music). Initially hesitant to release it due to its departure from his usual style, he was convinced by his producers and manager. The song was filmed in Monaco with Bryan Mg.
Dystinct later reflected:
"I had other songs scheduled, and Ghazali—where I sang in Moroccan Arabic with French rap—was different. I kept saying, ‘Not now!’ But they pushed me. I agreed to test it, and it dropped just before the 2022 World Cup. The rest is history. Lesson learned: don’t be too stubborn!"[11]
The track became an anthem for Morocco’s national football team, the Atlas Lions, during their historic 2022 World Cup run. Players celebrated victories by dancing to Ghazali, thanks to Dystinct’s friend, footballer Abdelhamid Sabiri.[12] Dystinct told Belgian media:
"Seeing the Moroccan team embrace my song was insane. Ghazali’s success was completely unexpected."[13]
Released on June 3, 2022, the music video broke streaming records in Belgium and across the Maghreb. The song blends Moroccan Arabic vocals (Dystinct) and French rap (Bryan Mg) over a pop-rai guitar melody, telling the story of a man enchanted by a woman’s beauty.
In November 2022, Dystinct attended the World Cup in Qatar as a guest of Moroccan footballer Ilias Chair (a fellow Antwerp native).
Second Project: Layali ("Nights") (2023–Present)
On May 5, 2023, Dystinct made his debut on Skyrock’s Planète Rap, performing Ghazali and the exclusive Tek Tek—a preview of his sophomore album Layali (released June 9, 2023).[14] The album’s lead single, Tek Tek (feat. MHD), went viral on TikTok.[15][16][17][18]
Layali is a multilingual, multicultural project uniting European and global sounds. Highlights: Ku Je Ti (May 26, 2023): A collab with Swedish rapper Ricky Rich and Kosovar singer Dafina Zeqiri, featuring Albanian-Kosovar dance and global flags in the video. Business (June 2, 2023): A hit with French artist Naza.[19] On June 10, 2023, Brussels mayor Philippe Close hosted Dystinct for an exclusive tribute at City Hall.
2024: Global Recognition
On December 16, 2024, Dystinct performed at the CAF Awards in Marrakech, singing Ghazali and Tek Tek at the prestigious sports gala.[20]
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Discography
Albums
- MON VOYAGE (2021)
- LAYALI (2023)
- BABABA WORLD (2025)
Singles
- 2017 : Panamera
- 2017 : No Ring Ring
- 2017 : Zina (feat. Chawki)
- 2017 : Pablo
- 2017 : Wat Je Wilt
- 2018 : Que Pasa (feat. Franglish)
- 2018 : Vervloekt
- 2019 : Chicha del Ghetto
- 2019 : Ya La Laa
- 2019 : Boussa
- 2020 : BLESSING
- 2020 : Malika
- 2020 : Awaa
- 2021 : Habiba (feat. Tawsen)
- 2021 : Alleen (feat. Ardian Bujupi)
- 2021 : Nada Nada
- 2021 : Ya Dellali (feat. Bryan Mg)
- 2021 : Fini
- 2022 : Niye (feat. Ali471)
- 2022 : Ghazali (feat. Bryan Mg)
- 2022 : Omri (feat. Kouz1)
- 2023 : Tek Tek (feat. MHD)
- 2023 : Ku Je Ti (feat. Ricky Rich & Dafina Zeqiri)
- 2023 : Business (feat. Naza)
- 2023 : La
- 2024 : Wala 5, 7, 10
- 2024 : Salam
- 2024 : Spider (with Gims)
- 2024 : Pas comme ça (feat. Dadju)
- 2024 : Mazal (feat. Dadju)
- 2024: Dumlla Dumlla (feat. Dafina Zeqiri)
- 2025: Boss (feat. Werenoi)
- 2025: Ya Baba (Feat. French Montana)
- 2025: RS6 (Feat. Morad)
- 2025: SELEK (Feat. Gazo)
Features
- 2017 : Kabhi of F1rstman and Dystinct
- 2018 : Daba Daba of Oualid and Dystinct
- 2018 : Alé Vamos of Chawki and Dystinct
- 2018 : Real Thing of Quesswho and Dystinct
- 2019 : Mal a la tête of Bryan Mg and Dystinct
- 2019 : Sensiz of Emil Rosé and Dystinct
- 2019 : Passer passer of DJ Hamida, Dystinct and CHK
- 2020 : Choqué of GLK and Dystinct
- 2020 : Problematik of TiiwTiiw and Dystinct
- 2020 : Latino Gang of DJ Hamida and Dystinct
- 2020 : Fidèle of Maestro and Dystinct
- 2021 : Oh Bébé of DJ Sem and Dystinct
- 2021 : Real Love of Architrackz and Dystinct
- 2021 : Dommage of Driks and Dystinct
- 2021 : Démarre of 3robi and Dystinct
- 2021 : Mehbooba ofF1rstman and Dystinct
- 2022 : Diamant of DJ Sem and Dystinct
- 2022 : Bebegim of Ali471 and Dystinct
- 2022 : Ik Hoor Je of ICE and Dystinct, Ashafar, YAM
- 2023 : Alone of Makar and Dystinct
- 2023 : Darba 9adiya and Moha K, Dystinct and YAM
- 2023 : Y Dor of Soolking and Dystinct
- 2023 : Ça c'est bien of Franglish and Dystinct
- 2024 : Spider of Gims and Dystinct
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Tours
LAYALI: (2023-2024) Europe, North America (Canada) including AFAS Live
BABA: (2025) North Africa (Morocco), Europe, North America (USA & Canada)
Awards
References
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