
Iness Mezel is of Berber (Kabyle) origin.
After the usual classical musical studies - singing, piano- she went
on to learn jazz improvisation and various singing styles different from the
berber style like : African (Elik Tara) and classical-contemporary (Tamia).
Her voice has a rare and bewitching tone; singing a cappella, it
becomes delicate and serene; then suddenly it lets itself go in pieces full
of festivity, brightness, warmth and innovation.
This means broadening the traditional concept of Berber music by
opening up onto a harmonic space,in which the melodies make child's play of the major and minor
modes, thus giving her music a touch of jazz or blues,unusual phrasing.
The music she composes is like a spark that flies when her personal
feeling of what it means to be Kabyle comes into contact with the harmonies and rythms she has gathered.
Her approach is guided by her musical curiosity, which she shares
with the musicians who accompany her in quest for a true cultural exchange and something that is extremely rare,
it is a kabyle woman, Nora Abdoun, who plays the Berber percussion instruments (bendir karkabou, etc.)
Then a free, new voice is raised which carries far, far.
She has been developing a musical
identity, firmly rooted in her dual culture, since 1995.



- Best African (female) Artist, and
- Best North African Artist