Jérémie Makiese
# Jérémie Makiese

Jérémie Makiese (French pronunciation: ​[ʒeʁemi makjese, -eze]; born 15 June 2000) is a Belgian singer and footballer, who rose to fame after winning The Voice Belgique 2021. He represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song "Miss You".

## 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 Sint-Agatha-Berchem, then to Dilbeek a few years later, spending his childhood between the two municipalities, where he learned to speak both Dutch and French. They finally settled in Uccle.

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.

## 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.

The Voice Belgique Performances :

| | Song | Original Artist(s) | Notes |
| - | - | - | - |
| Blind Audition | "Jealous" | Labrinth | Four-chair 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 | |
| Live Shows | "Ça fait mal" | Christophe Maé | |
| Live Shows | "Feels Like Rain" | Buddy Guy | With B.J. Scott, Elsa Puls, and Mateo Rodriguez |
| Live Shows | "Say Something" | A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera | |
| Semifinal | "Ma philosophie" | Amel Bent | With Amel Bent and Sonita Ojong |
| Semifinal | "Leave the Door Open" | Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) | |
| Final | "Stop This Flame" | Celeste | With the other finalists |
| Final | "Earth Song" | Michael Jackson | |
| Final | "Nous" | Julien Doré | With Julien Doré and Sonita Ojong |
| Final | "Revival" | Gregory Porter | Duet with B.J. Scott |
| Final | "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.

## 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.

## 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.

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.

## Discography

### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions :

| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Album |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Title | Year | BEL (FL) | BEL (WA) | LIT | NLD Tip | SWE Heat. | Album |
| "Miss You" | 2022 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 11 | 12 | TBA |
| "Oasis" | 2023 | — | 38 | — | — | — | TBA |
