Stromae

Stromae
source
Name	Stromae
Caption	Live performance in 2014
Birth name	Paul Van Haver
Birth date	12 March 1985
Birth place	Brussels, Belgium
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, producer, DJ
Years active	2000s–present
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards, sampler
Label	Universal Music Group, Mosaert

Stromae

Paul Van Haver, known professionally as Stromae, is a Belgian singer, songwriter, producer and fashion designer. He gained international fame with the 2009 single "Alors on danse" and the 2013 album "Racine carrée", blending electronic, hip hop, and world music elements. His work links contemporary pop music with Afrikaans-influenced rhythms, Francophone chanson traditions and visual art, earning awards and collaborations across Europe and North America.

Early life and background

Born in Brussels to a Rwandan father and a Belgian mother, Van Haver grew up in the Ixelles municipality and attended schools in Brussels-Capital Region. His father, a Rwandan Armed Forces officer, was killed during the Rwandan genocide; his mother worked in pharmacy and supported his artistic education. He studied at the Institut Saint-Luc, a Brussels arts school, and was influenced by the city's multicultural music scenes, including hip hop, electronic music, and francophone chanson traditions. Early exposure to festivals such as Les Francofolies de Spa and venues like Ancienne Belgique shaped his performance approach.

Career

Van Haver began performing under the stage name derived from the Belgian pronunciation of "maestro" in the 2000s, releasing early material on independent labels and appearing on NRJ radio and local television. Breakthrough came with "Alors on danse", which topped charts in France, Germany, and Italy and received heavy rotation on BBC Radio 1. The 2010 EP and collaborations with producers such as Orelsan-era artists and remixers increased his profile, leading to the 2013 release of "Racine carrée", produced with Mercan Dede-style arrangements and featuring hits "Papaoutai" and "Formidable". The album earned awards from institutions like the Victoire de la Musique, the EBBA Award, and nominations at the Grammy Awards and BRIT Awards.

Stromae expanded into live touring with sold-out dates at venues including Accor Arena, headlining festivals such as Coachella, Glastonbury Festival, and Sziget Festival. He launched the creative collective and fashion label Mosaert, collaborating with designers and visual directors to produce acclaimed music videos and stage design influenced by Bauhaus-inspired minimalism and theatrical choreography. After announcing a hiatus due to health concerns, he returned with singles and filmic music videos that involved partnerships with artists and institutions like Kendrick Lamar (remix collaborations), David Bowie-era stylists, and European cultural ministries.

Musical style and influences

His music fuses electronic music, hip hop, afrobeat, and chanson elements, combining programmed beats with orchestral arrangements reminiscent of Maurice Jarre scores and Serge Gainsbourg-era pop. Lyrically, he draws on francophone poets and songwriters such as Jacques Brel, Georges Brassens, and contemporary hip hop figures like MC Solaar and Kaaris, while production nods to Daft Punk, Justice, and Aphex Twin. Collaborations and remixes have connected him with Major Lazer, Kanye West-adjacent producers, and European DJs from Belgium and France. His vocal delivery alternates between spoken-word cadence and melodic hooks, employing storytelling techniques used by Bob Dylan and theatrical gestures associated with Molière-inspired performance traditions.

Public image and media appearances

Known for striking music videos and choreography, he has worked with visual directors from the Cannes Film Festival circuit and fashion photographers tied to Vogue and Dazed magazine. Television appearances include performances and interviews on The Graham Norton Show, Le Grand Journal, and specials on Arte (TV channel), while radio sessions have aired on BBC Radio 1 and France Inter. He has been featured on magazine covers such as Rolling Stone, NME, and Les Inrockuptibles. His stylistic image—sharp suits, distinctive makeup, and stage persona—has led to collaborations with brands and designers showcased during Paris Fashion Week and partnerships with cultural institutions like the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

Personal life and activism

Van Haver maintains a private personal life while publicly engaging in humanitarian and cultural causes, supporting organizations addressing Rwandan Genocide remembrance, refugee assistance groups, and HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns. He has performed at benefit concerts alongside artists affiliated with Amnesty International, UNICEF, and Doctors Without Borders. Political and social themes in his songs have prompted dialogues within francophone media and policy forums such as panels hosted by the European Commission and cultural debates at UNESCO events. He continues to run the Mosaert collective, mentoring emerging artists and collaborating with musicians from Congo, Senegal, France, Belgium, and Canada.

Category:Belgian musicians Category:Living people Category:1985 births