Dystinct: The Singer Behind Morocco’s World Cup Anthem “Ghazali”

His song “Ghazali” became the anthem of the players of the Moroccan team during the 2022 World Cup. Enough to explode the notoriety of the singer Dystinct, who is now close to the Atlas Lions. RMC Sport met the Belgian artist of Moroccan origin on the occasion of the release of his project “Layali” (June 9).

The voice of Dystinct is now part of Moroccan heritage. At the end of last year, she accompanied the historic journey of the national team during the 2022 World Cup. Her song “Ghazali” (in feat with Bryan Mg) became the anthem of the Atlas Lions, which took it up in heart with each of their successes in Qatar. By clapping, dancing and sharing their moments of communion on the networks. Spontaneously.

“It touched me a lot, I found it beautiful to hear my song in the locker room, confides the Belgian singer of Moroccan origin to RMC Sport. The song quickly went viral, without my really knowing why. This was totally unplanned…”

“We talk a lot with Sabiri”

Basically, “Ghazali” is a song in which a man declares his love to the woman of his dreams. Nothing to do with football. It all started with Abdelhamid Sabiri, the Sampdoria midfielder (on loan to Fiorentina in recent months). Close to Dystinct, the 26-year-old introduced sound to his teammates. “Sabiri is my brother, explains the artist from Antwerp. We talk to each other a lot. Basically, we simply connected to the networks. He listens to my sounds before anyone else. ‘Ghazali’ , it’s his song now, he should do a remix of it (laughs).”

Boosted by its proximity to the partners of Hakim Ziyech and Sofyan Amrabat, the title now has more than 40 million plays on Spotify. Its clip has been viewed nearly 70 million times on YouTube. “The sound worked well since the summer before but it took on another dimension with the World Cup, confirms its interpreter. It is now touring in other countries of the world, where people do not speak Arabic.”

In France, the melody has found its audience, beyond the Moroccan community. During her concert at the Zenith in Paris last month, singer Lynda (of Algerian origin) invited Dystinct on stage. And the 7,000 spectators present took up the words of “Ghazali” together.

“I was born in Belgium but I feel Moroccan”

A success that inevitably recalls that of Vegedream with “Bring the cup home”, during the victory of the Blues at the 2018 World Cup. “The difference with the title of Vegedream is that my song does not have was made for the team. It was naturally adopted”, nuance Dystinct, who is aware of being now linked for life to the Atlas Lions: “I know that my song will be associated forever with the team of the Morocco and it makes me happy, proud too. It’s a blessing.”

Before the semi-final between France and Morocco (2-0), “Ghazali” also resounded in the Al-Bayt stadium in Al-Khor. Dystinct was in the stands. Moved, of course. “It was crazy,” he admits, looking back.

Born in the Flemish Region, Iliass Mandouri (his real name) grew up in Zurenborg, a district of Antwerp with a Maghreb accent. “There were only Moroccans, it was like a little piece of the country”, illustrates the one who also lived a little in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, when he came of age. Without ever ceasing to travel to the Cherifian kingdom. “To be honest, I was born in Belgium but I am Moroccan, sums up the singer with 800,000 subscribers on Instagram. The only thing that differentiates me from Moroccans born in Morocco is my country of birth. Nothing else. My blood is Moroccan, I speak Darija (Moroccan Arabic, editor’s note). I have nothing against Belgium, but that’s just how I feel”.

“El Khannous will become a great player”

During the victory of the Atlas Lions against the Red Devils, during the group stage of the World Cup (2-0), Dystinct, who speaks Dutch, Arabic and English (he also has good knowledge of French), was in the flat country. “I was in the studio and I said to my manager: ‘We are going to Qatar for the next game, even without a ticket'”, he recalls. Once in the Middle East, he managed to secure places to follow Achraf Hakimi’s team to the last four of the competition. “It was incredible to witness this epic. It was the first African team to go so far in the World Cup. The atmosphere was magnificent in the stands. people we didn’t even know. It brought a lot of people together.”

At the time of congratulations, Iliass wishes to salute in particular the work of coach Walid Regragui: “He is very strong, he has made himself loved by the players. He is respected by the young people who listen to him. The whole country is proud him. It’s a big part of it all because of him.”

Beyond Yacine Bounou, “the darling of the people”, Dystinct was also amazed by Bilel El Khannous, the prodigy of KRC Genk: “I like him a lot. He played in the World Cup at 18 (he turned 19 last month, editor’s note), it was impressive. Plus, he’s from Belgium too. He’s special. He plays with so much confidence and ease. You can see that he’s going to become a great player, maybe even a legend. I’m sure he will be able to join a top European club.”

“We are aiming for victory at CAN 2024”

After the euphoria in Qatar, Dystinct’s schedule did not allow him to go to Rabat to celebrate the return of the heroes, received by King Mohamed VI. But he came to Tangier at the end of March to see Morocco beat Brazil in a friendly (2-1): “The atmosphere was super relaxed. What struck me was that we weren’t from all stressed about the idea of ​​facing Brazil. We were confident (smiles).”

A confidence that has not left the Flemish artist when it comes to projecting himself on the 2024 African Cup of Nations, scheduled in Côte d’Ivoire at the start of next year: “We are obviously aiming for victory ( Morocco won the CAN only once in 1976, editor’s note). I would like to go there but I will have to see if it is playable with my schedule. Maybe I will go at the last minute…”

“Mbappé is the legend of our generation”

A great football consumer in his youth, Iliass now focuses on the Champions League and major international tournaments. With special admiration for Kylian Mbappé: “He’s the legend of our generation. I’ve seen him like everyone else on television, but at the stadium he’s really very fast, it’s incredible.” He himself describes himself as a serious ball handler: “I am a good player, very technical. I have a good quality of strike”, explains the one who regularly hits the leather with his father and friends.

In his new project “Layali” (available June 9), Dystinct notably invited Naza (on the track “Business”), whose reputation he knows as a crack at FIFA. He also worked with MHD on the “Tek Tek” sound, which he imagines will be a great atmosphere in professional locker rooms in the months to come. Titles that he will travel during his European tour in the coming weeks, with a show already sold out on June 24 at the Maroquinerie de Paris.