“In this new generation of artists, we support each other, we are united,” assure Mentissa and Joseph Kamel

Joseph Kamel and Mentissa have just been released You livea duet that appears on the reissue of the album Mirrors from the 28-year-old author, composer and performer. This song was not born from the opportunism of their respective labels but from a “common desire”, says the singer. Both had collaborated on several titles of The Twentiesthe first record by the 25-year-old Belgian artist, released at the end of 2022. “From there an artistic and friendly story was born,” continues Joseph Kamel. These are two of the most promising artists of their generation and two friends who 20 Minutes met for a cross interview.

The song “Tu vi” talks about the distance that separates you from your loved ones. Was it an obvious subject to design this duo?

Joseph Kamel : We had planned three days in the studio with Mentissa to take the time to compose. It turns out that my parents work in humanitarian work and are rarely there. On our second day of work, my mother was leaving for a somewhat dangerous place. I arrived at the studio worried. I talked to Mentissa about it, not so that it would inspire a song, just as a confidence. I told him that my parents were leaving and bringing me all their stories from abroad. She replied: “You live through them.” And the song took off from there.

Liar : For the record, the first day, we wrote and composed a song that we thought was great. We said to ourselves that it was the one we needed for our duo. We knew we already had our title, but since we had two days of studio time left, we decided to take advantage of it, as a bonus.

J. : Rather than doing nothing, let’s make a song… And You live was obvious.

When there is such evidence, do we sense that the song is special and we hope that it will resonate particularly well with the public?

J. : When we complain during recording, that’s a good sign. (He laughs)

M. : There was a connection. When we started writing the lyrics, we felt that they were emotionally charged. When we sang it, the room transformed and became a very “safe” place. We felt this special emotion, this song is special.

Before meeting each other, what did you think of your respective careers?

J. : I knew Menti from having followed “The Voice” [elle était finaliste de la saison 10 en 2021] …

M. : (doubtful) Yeah, that’s it… But you didn’t know me at all! (she laughs)

J. : Yes, with the title And bamwait! You were number 1 everywhere.

M. : (pleasantly surprised) Ah, did you know me?

J. : Well anyway! When I was told that I was going to write for Mentissa, I thought: “There was Vianney [son coach dans « The Voice », qui a signé Et bam] before, it’s still hot! ” (They both laugh) I liked this song, you only had that one at that time and I said to myself that it could give something quite new to write for you. It freaked me out a little too. I was honored because I had never written for anyone other than myself before meeting her.

M. : I was a big fan of his song. Tell me. At that point, I was listening to it on repeat. My label asked me to make a list of people I would like to co-write my album with. I immediately told them about Joseph Kamel. We met to see if it fit on a human level. We immediately saw that we had the same humor, the same letting go, the same professionalism too. We saw each other several times, we also went to London to work. And from all these meetings three titles were born.

J. : No, four. Because there was one that we made together and that I ended up keeping for myself.

M. : A fruitful collaboration! (she laughs) The friendship we have. It’s a chance. In this new generation of artists, we support each other, we are united. For me, it’s a luxury to have a friend like Joseph who understands what I’m going through, we have the same doubts, the same fears and we have the chance to experience it together. I arrived in this artistic world three years ago, a bit alone. Little by little, I meet people who are stronger than others and I consider myself very happy about it.

J. : (Emu) That’s nice. You’re going to make me cry. (They laugh). Thank you so much. It’s mutual.

Mentissa, you participated in “The Voice” and you Joseph in “The Artist”. Is telecrochet a springboard that saves years?

J. : My case is special because I did a telehook which did not work [les audiences étaient effectivement très faibles]. (They laugh) It had the merit of existing, it was the first telecrochet of authors, composers and performers. I had the opportunity to present my own songs on France 2, at prime time and to meet people. Today, many artists in variety started with “New Star”, “Popstars”, “Star Academy”, “The Voice”… This can be a real springboard but it is far from systematic.

M. : For me “The Voice” played a very big role, I met Vianney there and, after the show, I never stopped making Music even though I didn’t do that at all before. . My dream has become a reality.

Joseph, you co-wrote “Those we were” with Pierre Garnier which became a hit even before it won “Star Academy”. How did you experience the phenomenon around this song?

J. : No one expected the story that this song would tell and what Pierre would experience. I experienced all this like a fan of a football club who gradually sees that his team is winning the Champions League. It’s pretty crazy. When, during the final, Dadju made Pierre sing Those we were rather than the intended song, it was like a World Cup final. I was with the whole team and we found it incredible. This song is Pierre’s, and he carries it so well.

You are from the same generation. What does it mean to be an artist in your 20s trying to make a career in music?

J. : You have to hang on. We don’t have the recipe. Every day you have to try to do the best you can, to give your best whether in the studio or on stage, to be as sincere and present as possible, 100% with people.

M. : The twenties are a time that goes in all directions, both good and bad. Great things happen to us and sometimes we find ourselves facing a wall that we have to overcome. You have to succeed in surpassing yourself. I tell myself that at this age, everything is allowed, but you have to make choices and the right choices. The beautiful thing is that we have the right to make mistakes, we can forgive ourselves for making them and start again. It’s a period where everything is possible, it’s dizzying. Especially in a profession like ours where, today, there are so many artists… You have to try not to compare yourself to others, to stay close to who you are. Having a normal life with my friends, my family, allows me to breathe and put things into perspective.

More and more artists are highlighting the importance of taking care of their mental health. Does this speak to you?

J. : It’s super important. More and more, we are becoming aware, at least I hope, that it is a question of health, in the same way that if you have a knee injury, you have to take care of yourself. When you have a head injury, well, it’s the same. You have to take the time, consult, surround yourself with the right people. For me, there is no taboo about it.

M. : It’s not easy to find the balance. Music is singing. Singing is a vibration, a fairly deep energy. It’s a job that demands a lot psychologically when you’re on stage, when you speak with your audience, when you sing with them. This job gives a lot but also takes quite a bit. Throughout this process, you have to manage to take breaks. Sometimes, we want to make those around us, our teams who work with us, proud. We give everything not to disappoint ourselves and not to disappoint others. At times, we feel that it’s pulling a little. You just have to manage to say “stop” at the right time. It’s still not easy to ask ourselves when mental health becomes THE priority.

Mentissa, you are going to participate in the Belgian selection for Eurovision 2025. Last year, in an interview with “20 Minutes”, you said that this competition was a responsibility that you did not want to take on. What made you change your mind?

M. : The timing. Last year, I wasn’t ready, my priority was my tour, my current projects. Eurovision would have been far too big a responsibility at that point. A year later, I finished my tour, where I learned a lot of things, I feel like I’m no longer the same person. There, I feel empowered to represent my country at Eurovision. It’s still very stressful because I want to do things well. If tomorrow I have an entire country, Belgium, behind me, that would be a huge responsibility. But I like the idea. I also enjoy starting a competition again. It is sure that it is dangerous, but we must remain humble, not forget where we come from.

The song will be revealed in January… Will it be in French?

M. : I can’t reveal too much at the moment. What I can say is that it will be the first single from my second album. And I think people will be surprised because that’s not necessarily where they expect me to go next.

J. : Do you do drill, hardcore rap? (Mentissa bursts out laughing).

And you Joseph, France Télévisions called you to represent France?

J. : I didn’t receive a phone call. I have to check, I tend not to listen to my voicemail (he smiles).

Would you be interested in competing?

J. : Honestly, you should never say never.

M. : You would be pretty good, actually, at Eurovision…

J. : Do you think so? Yeah but then I wouldn’t want to be in competition with Mentissa, we’re too good friends.