The GermanâAmerican duo Nica & Joe formed in 2011 after meeting while studying at the Conservatorium Maastricht and the Juilliard School, respectively. Their breakthrough was the thirdâplace finish in the second season of XâFactor on 6 December 2011, where they performed R&B and soul under the mentorship of Sarah Connor. That month they released the single "Build A Palace" and followed with the studio album Nica & Joe on 19 December 2011, which entered the charts in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In 2012 they issued the album Magic Moments on 19 November, and in 2015 they released the album Believe on 25 September. The duo contributed the song "Elevated" to the 2013 Eurovision selection, placing fourth. Their career included tours across Germany and a concert in Ann Arbor on 15 November 2014.