DYSTINCT

Iliass Mansouri, better known by his stage name DYSTINCT, was born on September 9, 1998, in Mortsel, Belgium, to a Moroccan family. Raised in the vibrant Zurenborg neighborhood of Antwerp, his musical journey was heavily influenced by his father, a singer, who ignited his early passion for music. While DYSTINCT initially dreamed of becoming a professional footballer, he shifted his focus to music at the age of 15, immersing himself in hip-hop and later exploring reggae, raï, and pop-rap styles.

At 18, DYSTINCT moved to Amsterdam after signing with Avalon Music, marking his official entry into the Dutch rap scene. His 2017 breakout single, “No Ring Ring,” garnered attention, but it was his 2019 track “Ya La Laa” that took off, racking up over 50 million views. In 2021, he released his debut album Mon Voyage, which featured collaborations with artists such as 3robi, Chawki, and Ardian Bujupi. The album was a major success, particularly in Morocco, and helped solidify his place in the music industry.

His 2022 hit single “Ghazali,” featuring Bryan Mg, gained massive popularity, especially during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Moroccan players celebrated their victories with the song. This track further cemented his influence, particularly in the Maghreb region. In 2023, DYSTINCT released his second album Layali and began an international tour, performing in countries like Canada, Germany, the UAE, Tunisia, and Morocco.

DYSTINCT’s music, known for its multilingual lyrics and fusion of genres, resonates with audiences worldwide, reflecting his diverse cultural roots and musical versatility.