Image Credit: RTBF
On August 30th 2023, Belgium became the first country to announce their artist for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, which will take place in Malmö, Sweden.
RTBF revealed that MUSTII will be flying the flag for Belgium next year, so let’s get to know a little bit more about him…
Who Is MUSTII?
Thomas Mustin, known professionally as MUSTII, was born in November 1992 in the Belgian capital, Brussels. He dreamed of becoming an actor since he was a child, telling KET Mag Brussels about how he got into theatre:
I never wanted to do anything else since the first shock I had on stage during a theater class my parents signed me up for because I was a particularly shy child, not very comfortable socially… But paradoxically, the stage was a trigger, a revelation, and a therapy. Since I was 7/8 years old, I knew I wanted to make it my job.
MUSTII, KET Mag Brussels
MUSTII studied theatre at Institut des Arts de Diffusion, and went on to become a professional actor in TV, film and on stage, starring in productions of Romeo & Juliet and Débris and taking on roles in French films such as Odd Job and Les Survivors. He also appeared in the popular Belgian TV Series The Break. In 2019, he won the Magritte Award for ‘Most Promising Actor’ for his role in The Royal Exchange.
Outside of acting, he’s currently one of the permanent judges on Drag Race Belgique.
Music Career
MUSTII signed to Black Gizah Records in 2014, releasing his first single ‘The Golden Age’ in 2015. In 2016, he was nominated for six awards at the D6bels Music Awards, winning ‘Revelation Of The Year’.
I created my solo project MUSTII to master my ideas and desires. I’ve been singing since I was a kid. I was immersed in my father’s vinyl collection (Lou Reed, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones). As a teenager, the discovery of David Bowie’s entire repertoire instantly became an inspiration that still feeds me every day. I claim multidisciplinarity (like drag queens) and exchanges between different artistic forms. Theater and cinema inspire me in my music. I hate labels and categories. I prefer to create bridges. I think you can do mainstream as well as indie/alternative.
MUSTII, KET Mag Brussels
He later signed with Warner Music Belgium, and released the albums ‘21st Century Boy’ (2018) and ‘It’s Happening Now’ (2022), which both placed within the top 5 of the Belgian Album Charts.
MUSTII described his musical style to VRT, saying:
My style evolves into pop with a dark edge. I have influences from new wave and rock, but they remain pop albums. I contrast pop with fragile subjects, I like to play with that.
MUSTII, VRT
Eurovision 2024
In Eurovision, Belgium’s selection alternates between broadcasters RTBF and VRT. Last year, VRT hosted a national final (Eurosong), which saw Gustaph win the ticket to represent the nation in Liverpool, coming 7th overall with ‘Because Of You’. RTBF also made the final with their last participation in 2022, with ‘Miss You’ by Jérémie Makiese coming 19th. Since the start of the 2020s, Belgium have qualified every year – and MUSTII will be hoping to continue their current streak this May.
In an interview with VRT, MUSTII spoke about his plans for Eurovision 2024:
I will give everything. The idea is to be completely in the performance, something flamboyant, glamorous. The Eurovision Song Contest is the ideal place for this. And the work begins now.
Mustii, VRT
Mustii’s song ‘Before The Party’s Over’ was officially released on February 20th. The choir used in the song is actually a complied section of voice recordings submitted by fans – much like what we saw with Dadi Freyr’s 2021 entry for Iceland, ‘10 Years’.
Belgium will perform in the second half of Semi Final 2 on May 9th 2024.
We wish Belgium & MUSTII the best of luck at Eurovision 2024!
You can follow MUSTII on social media!
Instagram: @mustiimusic
Facebook: @mustiimusic
YouTube: @MUSTIIMusic
