DYSTINCT: 10 essential songs you have to know
Quick facts
- Origin: Moroccan
- Born: September 9 1998, Antwerp (Belgium)
- Genre: Arabic Pop, Moroccan pop, Afro, Urban,
- Active since: 2017
- Known for: Pioneering Arabic-Western fusion sound, World Cup 2022 breakthrough
About DYSTINCT
DYSTINCT, born Iliass Mansouri, represents the new wave of cross-cultural artists transforming the global music landscape. Growing up in Antwerp’s Zurenborg neighborhood to Moroccan parents, his journey began alongside his father, a singer who introduced young Iliass to the world of performance. Despite initial parental hesitation about his career choice, DYSTINCT’s forward-thinking personality drove him to pursue his musical ambitions professionally at just fourteen years old.
His vision transcends traditional boundaries, successfully merging urban sounds with Arabic and African influences. This unique fusion has earned him a prominent position in the North African music scene, with multiple simultaneous entries on the Billboard Arabia Hot 100 chart. His breakthrough moment came during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, when the Moroccan national team celebrated to his track “Ghazali” in their dressing room, catapulting him to international recognition.
Essential DYSTINCT songs
From his early Arabic experiments to his latest international collaborations, these ten tracks showcase DYSTINCT’s evolution from promising talent to global fusion pioneer. Each song represents a milestone in his journey of bridging cultures through music.
Ghazali ft. Bryan MG (2022)
A true breakthrough hit that masterfully blends Arabic and French lyrics, showcasing DYSTINCT’s Moroccan roots while appealing to a broader audience. The track gained unprecedented momentum during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when the Moroccan national team played it during their historic run, catapulting DYSTINCT to international recognition and solidifying his position in the Arabic music scene.
🎵 Listen to Ghazali on Spotify
Y Dor with Soolking (2023)
A captivating collaboration with Algerian artist Soolking that combines their unique styles into a catchy Afro-pop track. Directed by William Thomas, the music video showcases both artists’ charisma while the song itself expands DYSTINCT’s reach in the francophone music market.
Tek Tek ft. MHD (2023)
DYSTINCT’s first collaboration with French rap star MHD creates a powerful fusion of Arabic vocals and French rap verses. The track perfectly demonstrates his ability to merge different musical styles while maintaining the integrity of each, resulting in a dynamic and energetic cross-cultural hit.
🎵 Listen to Tek Tek on Spotify
La (2023)
From his album “Layali” (Nights), “La” (meaning “No” in Arabic) showcases DYSTINCT’s versatility with Egyptian dialect and beats. The track gained renewed popularity after its music video release, reclaiming the top spot on the Billboard Arabia Hot 100 chart, demonstrating his growing influence in the Arabic music market and ability to create enduring hits.
Ya La Laa (2019)
Released in 2019, this was DYSTINCT’s first step into Arabic music. While the song did well, it wasn’t yet his big breakthrough. Instead, it showed the direction he wanted to take with his music, mixing his Moroccan background with modern sounds. This first Arabic-language track paved the way for his later success.
🎵 Listen to Ya La Laa on Spotify
Wala 5, 7, 10 (2024)
A masterful incorporation of Khaliji (Gulf Arabic) sounds while being sung in Moroccan Arabic (Darija), showcasing DYSTINCT’s ability to bridge different Arabic musical traditions while staying true to his roots.
🎵 Listen to Wala 5, 7, 10 on Spotify
Darba 9adiya with Moha K (2023)
A powerful collaboration that demonstrates DYSTINCT’s commitment to working with fellow Arabic-speaking artists. The track combines their unique styles while staying true to their shared cultural heritage, creating a fresh sound that resonates with both artists’ fan bases.
🎵 Listen to Darba 9adiya on Spotify
Business ft. Naza (2023)
This collaboration with French artist Naza exemplifies DYSTINCT’s ability to bridge linguistic and cultural boundaries. The track seamlessly blends Arabic and French elements, further establishing his reputation as an artist who can successfully navigate between different musical traditions.
🎵 Listen to Business on Spotify
Spider with GIMS (2024)
This collaboration with renowned French-Congolese artist GIMS marks another significant milestone in DYSTINCT’s career, bringing together two of the most innovative voices in the contemporary French-African music scene.
Ku Je Ti ft. Ricky Rich & Dafina Zeqiri (2023)
An ambitious multilingual collaboration featuring Swedish-Kosovar artist Ricky Rich and Kosovar singer Dafina Zeqiri. This track showcases DYSTINCT’s versatility in working across multiple European music scenes while maintaining his distinctive style.
🎵 Listen to Ku Je Ti on Spotify
More about DYSTINCT
- Pioneer in bringing Arabic music to mainstream Western audiences
- Multiple simultaneous entries on Billboard Arabia Hot 100
- Collaborations with major artists including Chawki, Franglish, F1rstman, Jonna Fraser, Dadju, GIMS and Soolking
- Works with consistent production team including Unleaded, YAM, Ryder and Seno
- Advocates for Arabic music’s global crossover potential
- Successfully blends Moroccan Darija with Egyptian and Gulf dialects
- First sold-out tours in America and Europe
