Stromae
Biography
Paul Van Haver, known professionally as Stromae, is a Belgian musician, singer, rapper, and songwriter born on March 12, 1985. He was born in Brussels to a Rwandan father and a Flemish mother. His father, an architect, was killed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and Paul and his siblings were raised by their mother. His stage name is "maestro" with the syllables reversed, a practice known in French as "verlan".
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
At the age of eleven, Stromae began to show an interest in music, studying music history and learning to play the drums. In 2000, he started his music career as a rapper under the name Opsmaestro, which he later changed to Stromae. He formed a rap group called "Suspicion" with rapper J.E.D.I., but his partner left the duo later on. In 2007, he released his first EP, "Juste un cerveau, un flow, un fond et un mic…". His big break came in 2009 with the song "Alors on danse" from his debut album "Cheese". The track gained popularity while he was working as a trainee at the NRJ radio station in Brussels and became a number-one hit in several European countries.
Racine Carrée and International Success
Stromae's second album, "Racine carrée" (Square Root), released in 2013, was a massive commercial success, selling over two million copies in France. The album featured chart-topping singles like "Papaoutai" and "Formidable". The music video for "Formidable" went viral after it was created from hidden camera footage of Stromae appearing to be drunk and wandering at a tram station in Brussels. This was later revealed to be a staged performance for the video. "Papaoutai" became the most-viewed French-speaking video on YouTube at the time. The success of "Racine carrée" solidified Stromae's position as a major international artist, leading to a worldwide tour.
Musical Style
Stromae's music is known for its blend of hip-hop and electronic music, particularly influenced by Belgian New Beat. His work often combines danceable electronic beats with thoughtful and sometimes somber lyrics that touch on social issues and personal themes. He has cited Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel, Cuban son, and Congolese rumba as early influences. His unique style has been described as a mix of "World" influences, French chanson, and hip-hop beats.
Hiatus and Return with Multitude
After the extensive touring for "Racine carrée," Stromae took a long break from the public eye, citing health issues and burnout. During his hiatus, he focused on creative endeavors with his Mosaert label, including directing music videos for artists like Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish and releasing fashion collections. He made his much-anticipated return in 2021 with the single "Santé," followed by the release of his third album, "Multitude," in March 2022. The album explores diverse musical styles from around the world and addresses themes of mental health, fatherhood, and healing. In 2023, Stromae had to cancel his "Multitude" tour due to ongoing health problems.