Jérémie Makiese
Jérémie Makiese | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 2000 (age 21) Antwerp, Belgium |
| Origin | Belgium |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2021–present |
Jérémie Makiese (French pronunciation: [ʒeʁemi makjese, -eze];[1][2] born June[3] 2000) is a Belgian singer and footballer, who rose to fame after winning The Voice Belgique 2021. He will represent Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[4]
Early life[]
Makiese was born in Antwerp to Congolese parents. At 6 years old he and his family (including his three brothers and sister) moved to Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, then to Dilbeek a few years later, spending his childhood between the two municipalities, where he learned to speak both Dutch and French. He finally settled in Uccle.[4][5][6]
Makiese took up singing from both of his parents (his mother also playing the tam-tam), starting in a church choir at a young age and later moving on to singing lessons at school, where he took part in, and won, a contest.[4][5]
Musical career[]
2021: The Voice Belgique[]
Makiese auditioned for season nine of The Voice Belgique performing Labrinth's "Jealous", with all four coaches turning for him. He chose to join Beverly Jo Scott's team. In April 2021, he won the show.[7]
| Song | Original Artist(s) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Audition | "Jealous" | Labrinth | Four-chain turn, joins Team BJ Scott |
| Duel | "You Say" | Lauren Daigle | Won against Astrid Cuylits |
| Live Shows | "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You" | James Arthur | |
| "Ça fait mal" | Christophe Maé | ||
| "Feels Like Rain" | Buddy Guy | With B.J. Scott, Elsa Puls, and Mateo Rodriguez | |
| "Say Something" | A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera | ||
| Semifinal | "Ma philosophie" | Amel Bent | With Amel Bent and Sonita Ojong |
| "Leave the Door Open" | Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) | ||
| Final | "Stop This Flame" | Celeste | With the other finalists |
| "Earth Song" | Michael Jackson | ||
| "Nous" | Julien Doré | With Julien Doré and Sonita Ojong | |
| "Revival" | Gregory Porter | Duet with B.J. Scott | |
| "Jealous" | Labrinth |
2022: Eurovision Song Contest[]
On 15 September 2021, broadcaster Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF) announced that they had internally selected Makiese to represent Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy.[8]
Artistry[]
Influences[]
Makiese cited Michael Jackson, Otis Redding, Gregory Porter, James Brown, Bill Withers and Aretha Franklin among his inspirations, as well as Damso and Stromae.[6][9]
Personal life and other activities[]
Makiese has reportedly always had an interest in football: at the age of 13, he started to play as a goalkeeper for BX Brussels. In September 2021, he signed a one-year contract with Excelsior Virton, after playing with Jeunesse Molenbeek, Royal Wallonia Walhain, and briefly with La Louvière Centre in summer 2021.[4][5][6][10][11]
Following his success at The Voice Belgique, Makiese took a break from his higher studies in geology to focus on his singing and sports careers.[4][5]
References[]
- ^ Mael (2 February 2021). Jeremie Makiese - Le Face Cam. DCLIK! (video) (in French). Event occurs at 0:25. Retrieved 16 September 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Jeremie Makiese représentant de la Belgique à l'Eurovision 2022 : "J'ai pensé qu'on me faisait une blague"". Le 8/9 (video) (in French). VivaCité (RTBF). 15 September 2021. Event occurs at 2:35. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
- ^ Makiese, Jérémie [@jeremiemakiese.off] (20 June 2021). "Bon dimanche✨