While many have attempted to cover Leonard Cohen’s timeless “Hallelujah,” nothing compares to this performance. On The Voice France, Mennel Ibtissem turned a judge’s chair upside down with his exquisite rendition of the timeless anthem—and he hadn’t even finished his performance!
Even before the song was over, all four judges had been won over by Mennel’s soulful R&B and were captivated by her exquisite voice. Mennel, a Muslim singer of French and Syrian descent, put a unique spin on her performance by singing in both Arabic and English, creating a veritable potpourri of musical styles.
The melody of “Hallelujah” was used to adapt the Arabic lines of Kuwaiti singer Muhammad Al Husayn’s “Ya Ilahi (Oh My Lord).” From its first solo piano performance, Mennel’s version evolved into an eight-string acoustic folk instrument, whose exotic lead intertwined with the vocal melody, adding a new dimension to the sound.
When her performance aired in France, Mennel, who is of Syrian-Turkish and Moroccan-Algerian descent, caused quite a media sensation. Fans commented on her gorgeous voice, stately features, and striking blue turban, highlighting the importance of French Muslim women’s representation in the high-profile competition. You can watch Mennel perform “Hallelujah” and “Say Something” from A Great Big World on America’s Got Talent; the performance is available below.