Rapper Faberyayo, or Pepijn Lanen from De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, brought Dutch hip-hop history to the Belgian quiz show De slimste mens ter wereld. The 44-year-old musician’s dry wit contrasted sharply with candid, messy confessions from jury members James Cooke and Ward Lemmelijn, dominating the broadcast.
The Bottom Line
- Faberyayo debuted on the quiz show with a calm demeanor, dodging presenter Erik Van Looy’s questions about taking substances with deadpan humor.
- Jury member Ward Lemmelijn shared a chaotic school memory involving a long jump test and a sudden bowel accident.
- James Cooke faced unexpected skepticism when he admitted to occasionally waiting in his parked car until his husband’s house lights turned off.
Faberyayo Joins the Quiz Studio
De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig has spent more than 20 years shaping the music scene, but Faberyayo stepped onto the television set solo. When presenter Erik Van Looy asked if he could win the title of De slimste mens, the rapper offered a characteristic deflection: “Everything is possible. Coffee pot, can-can…”
His unwavering composure prompted jury member Ward Lemmelijn to ask if the contestant had ingested drugs. Faberyayo rejected the suggestion without missing a beat, while Cooke defended the father of four as simply relaxed while his wife watched their children at home.
Ward Lemmelijn Recounts a Disastrous Long Jump Test
Lemmelijn occupied the jury bench for his first and only appearance of the season, following previous stints in the audience and the contestant chair. Before moving on to host duties for the streaming platform VTM Go+ on Love Island—which Cooke playfully doubted he could pronounce correctly—Lemmelijn steered the conversation toward bodily functions.
Discussing medical scans, Lemmelijn questioned the need for laxatives before a bowel examination, leading into a school memory. During a high school long jump test meant to boost his swimming grade, physical exertion caused an accident. “I jump and I shit my entire pants. Then I just ran through the sandbox, straight into the bushes.”
James Cooke Confronts Unrelatable Car Confessions
Cooke added his own personal revelation about his eleven-year relationship and five-year marriage to Dorian Liveyns. When Van Looy asked about ongoing romantic passion, Cooke admitted to pulling into his driveway and waiting in the car with the lights off for a quiet moment. Neither Van Looy nor Piddington related to the habit.
“Then I know: he’s gone to sleep. But wait a minute! Come on!” Cooke protested, insisting other people do the same. Piddington and Van Looy shook their heads, though Cooke recovered later by praising his husband as the most handsome man he knows.
| Participant | Role in Episode | Notable Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Faberyayo | Contestant | Brought deadpan humor and a Paul van Ostaijen tribute shirt. |
| Ward Lemmelijn | Jury member | Shared a high school long jump mishap. |
| James Cooke | Jury member | Admitted to lingering in his car outside his home. |
| Amber Piddington | Contestant | Secured her second daily victory. |
Artistic Roots Behind Faberyayo
The origin of Pepijn Lanen’s stage name also surfaced during the broadcast. Wearing a T-shirt featuring Fabergé eggs—the historic jeweled creations made for Russian tsars by goldsmith Peter Carl Fabergé—the rapper explained how his moniker evolved.
“At a certain point, that became Faberyayo,” he explained, noting that an online search revealed no prior usage, leaving a space for his persona to form. He paired the historical reference with an artistic homage to Belgian poet Paul van Ostaijen on his shirt.
Competition Results and Standings
While the anecdotes entertained the studio audience, the competition pressed forward. Amber Piddington claimed the title of De slimste mens van de dag for the second time. Faberyayo advanced to the final round against Rik Verheye, who utilized his tactical experience in the endgame by securing two keywords on a question regarding the election of a new pope.
Studio Brussel DJ Amber Broos entered the competition as the next newcomer, joining an active roster that includes Rik Verheye, Stephanie Planckaert, Amber Piddington, Mungu Cornelis, Dean Raey, and Francesco Planckaert.
