Noor Leyssens (17)
“I have been listening to Joost’s music for about four years now, mainly thanks to my sister,” says seventeen-year-old Noor Leyssens. For a generation that constantly discovers new artists on Tiktok, that can count. Joost is about more than just eccentric hip-hop and gabber music, Noor noticed during the two times she saw her idol perform live. “The way he stands on stage and uses images is pure entertainment.”
Like many fans, Noor closely followed Joost’s campaign to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. “When I saw that he would really participate, I jumped out of my seat,” she says. “I screamed incredibly loudly.”
The fact that Joost will reach a worldwide audience at the Eurovision Song Contest almost feels like a personal victory for her. “At the moment I am really fully invested in ‘Europapa’. For example, at school we recently had to give a speech on a topic of our choice, where I argued that Joost should win the Eurovision Song Contest. (laughs)” The reasons are many. “’Europapa’ is simply a super diverse song in which he talks, raps and sings. The emotional outro, in which he suddenly talks about the loss of his parents, completes the picture for me.”
Warre Verschueren (14)
“Joost Klein, dream big.” The Dutch artist’s mantra also has a personal meaning for his fans. According to fourteen-year-old Warre Verschueren, it fully encompasses what his music stands for: “He really lives for his dreams, which makes it powerful to see how they now come true. He is a great example to me in that respect.” Joost’s success is proof for the young student that ambition pays off. “The youth have many dreams, but do not always work for them. I sometimes recognize myself in that. Joost motivates me to effectively pursue my dreams.”
Anyone who thinks that Joost only makes catchy dance numbers is wrong, according to Warre. In his song lyrics, Joost also refers to his turbulent youth and the importance of mental health. “It’s that mix between loud beats and quieter moments that really appeals to me,” says Warre. “It shows how people always have multiple sides, and he expresses that perfectly in his music.”
Warre finds it frustrating that some adults automatically write off his numbers. “You have to look at it in its entirety. How he can silence a festival field of moshing fans in just a few seconds is unbelievable.” If Joost were to lose out against the Belgian candidate Mustii, there will certainly be no national pride for Warre. He already apologizes for that: “I have nothing against Belgium, but especially a lot for Joost.”
Nona Van Braeckel (24)
As a digital creative at Studio Brussels, Nona Van Braeckel knows better than anyone what social media can do. Even before Joost emerged as a musician, she met him at the age of fourteen as the internet phenomenon EenhoornJoost. His absurd videos made Nona decide to make videos herself. The playfulness that characterized him was inspiring for her: “I thought he was so cool that I almost imitated him in my own videos. He constantly made fun of everything, including himself. That taught me never to just sit in front of a camera and just rattle off something.”
The fact that Joost openly talks about the loss of his parents helped Nona to cope with the death of her own father at the age of sixteen. “From then on, I grew closer to him on a personal level. His personality, authenticity and openness make me have a lot of sympathy for Joost as a person.” For her popular podcast After the funeral procession, in which she talks to fellow sufferers about loss, she used Klein’s tender song ‘Florida 2009’ as the theme song. His music is for her a refuge from every emotion that passes in review. “I think many people need to feel heard in their emotions and be able to dance them out at the same time. That is exactly Joost’s strength.”
Nona witnessed Joost’s breakthrough from the front row: “Suddenly I was no longer in the café of the Trix concert hall, but at the main stage in Pukkelpop among a crowd of people. Joost was no longer my secret artist that no one knew. I didn’t feel embarrassed about it, but above all very proud.” Now that, thanks to ‘Europapa’, the whole of Europe may be at his feet, that pride only increases. “He has my vote, but I will certainly also oblige my mother and housemates to vote for him. He simply deserves to win.”
Eurovision Song Contest, second semi-final, featuring Joost Klein and Mustii, VRT 1, 9:01 PM
