JenJoon reveals the secret behind his biggest hits after Montreal’s show
The Tunisian pop-rap star opens up about fame, family sacrifice and his relationships
Tunisian pop-rap singer JenJoon performed in Montreal on Sept. 18 as part of his international tour and the 10th edition of Festival du Jasmin Tunisien à Montreal, marking his second appearance in the province since his last visit in March 2024. Fans told him his concerts felt like a piece of Tunisia had come to Quebec.
After the concert, Jenjoon sat down for an interview with The Link two days after his Montreal show.
Born Omar Twihri in Jendouba, Tunisia, the 35-year-old has been recording music since 2005 and has over 100 million views on his YouTube videos. However, JenJoon said he still doesn’t feel he's reached the level of fame he once dreamed of, even though his song “Ech Mazel,” made with fellow Tunisian artist RedStar, has more than 127 million views on YouTube. The song is still getting views today, five years after its release.
“I don’t think someone who listens to my music becomes a fan right away,” JenJoon said. “They should listen to the whole story and understand what I am saying, and my philosophy on life. Then they become a fan.”
JenJoon said he started writing songs in 2005 just as a hobby. He never expected it to become his job.
When his father got sick in 2018, JenJoon had to work as a waiter, painter and plumber to help support his family.
He said his parents told him not to make music his career at first. At the time, music didn’t pay well in Tunisia. They supported him pursuing it as a hobby, but encouraged him to find something more stable for his future. However, JenJoon decided to follow his own path anyway despite his parents’ concerns.
“I saw pride in their eyes,” JenJoon said, talking about the first time he appeared on television.
A big change in JenJoon’s style came when he started singing in his own Jendouba accent instead of the accent from the capital. He also moved away from songs that had, what he called, a “dirty style” and began making cleaner music.
Many of his most popular songs, including “Hayala,” “Barrani” and “Zin Ezzin,” are love songs to Tunisia.
Two of JenJoon’s childhood friends, Firas Bouslimi and Hamdi Barouni, both moved to Montreal about eight years ago. They said they are still close with him today, even though their lives went in different directions.
Barouni said JenJoon’s concerts continue to be full of energy.
“His concerts are always explosive and exciting,” Barouni said.
Bouslimi recalled a time when JenJoon couldn't afford to register for his first rap concert under his own name. Instead, he used Bouslimi’s name.
Bouslimi also talked about how fame can change every aspect of a person’s life. Once, someone stopped JenJoon for photos while the artist was rushing his sick father to the hospital.
“I was holding my father, who was sick, and he was asking me to take a picture,” JenJoon said, recalling the moment. “I didn’t know what to do.”
Despite moments like these, JenJoon said he doesn’t mind the fame that comes with his career. He said he understands why fans react the way they do when they see him, and that he appreciates it rather than resents it.
“They always think I am rough because of my appearance,” JenJoon said. “But in the end, they see that I am different from what they imagine.”
JenJoon said he feels most comfortable on stage and that something changes in him once he starts performing. Off stage, he describes himself as quiet, shy and a homebody.
JenJoon said he likes keeping a small circle of people around him. He goes to the gym four times a week and likes walking his dog, Luna, who has featured in a video clip called “Yekfi Ajrah.”
The artist has a girlfriend of six years who has inspired several of his songs, including “Ya Mali Lbit” and “Manetfergou.” She's also Tunisian, but avoids social media.
JenJoon describes his hometown as the place he feels most comfortable.
“There is always a nostalgia that attracts me to it,” JenJoon said.
He recalled one memory that stuck with him: writing the opening theme for a hit Tunisian series called “El Foundou.” During the concert, the crowd lit up with phone flashlights when the song played.
JenJoon said his team tried to set the mood to inspire him while he wrote the song, but it didn’t work.
“My team was trying to create an inspirational vibe, and they brought me candles and things with a nice perfume, but I couldn’t write,” JenJoon said, laughing. “I told them, sorry, I can’t do this vibe. I just want to go back to my room, thanks.”
He also expressed that inspiration can’t be scheduled.
“Honestly, I don’t even know when the time of inspiration is. It’s not something I can control; it just comes like this,” JenJoon said.
JenJoon said he has no plans to move to Montreal, even though most of his close friends now live in the city. He still lives in Tunisia most of the year and travels often for concerts, including upcoming shows in Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.
“I don’t think I can stay here,” JenJoon said. “It’s far from my home country. I like Tunisia. No matter how hard life can be there, I know I will always stay.”
While speaking to the fans who attended his Montreal and Sherbrooke shows, JenJoon said he hopes to visit more cities in the future.
“I hope there will be more love between us,” JenJoon said. “I promise to bring you more new things.”
This article originally appeared in Volume 47, Issue 3, published October 6, 2026.
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