A remix of Stromae's classic and timeless hit song 'Papaoutai' by Chill77 has recently gone viral on social media. But who is Stromae, and what is the song about?

 

Stromae's Journey: Navigating Talent, Tragedy, and Identity

Stromae, one of the most talented Francophone artists of the new millennium, is a singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Born Paul Van Haver on March 12, 1985, in Etterbeek, one of Brussels' 19 districts, he had a Rwandan father based in Kigali, Rwanda, and a Belgian mother. He grew up in Brussels with four siblings and tragically lost his father in April 1994 during the Tutsi genocide, along with many other family members. Stromae's mother informed him of this loss when he was 12 years old.

 

Regarding his father's absence, Stromae stated in 2019 on French radio station NRJ that he hardly knew his father, recalling seeing him only about 20 times and profoundly feeling his absence. Stromae's quest for his father paralleled his search for his own identity as a young man of mixed heritage.

 

The Evolution of Stromae: From "Suspicion" to a Unique Musical Identity

 

In a 2023 biography by Thierry Coljon, titled "Stromae, Behind the Curtains of a Phenomenon," it is revealed that at age 15, he was the only black child in his school. However, he soon met Jean-Didier Longane, also of African heritage, known as Jedi. In the early 2000s, they formed the duo 'Suspicion.' By the age of 18, Stromae was making a name for himself on the local scene in Laeken.

 

However, four years later, Paul felt something was missing musically and artistically. He changed his stage name from "Maestro" to "Stromae," using French slang "verlan," where syllables are reversed. Determined to find his voice and style, Stromae abandoned his oversized trousers in favor of demure Bermuda shorts, knee-high socks, polo shirts, and a bow tie. Musically, he innovated by blending the genres he grew up with, such as the Congolese rumba of Franco, Papa Wemba, and Koffi Olomide.

 

Stromae's Journey: From "Papaoutai" to Global Recognition and Return

 

In 2010, Stromae's electro sound debuted with "Alors on danse" from his first album, Cheese. Then, in May 2013, he released "Papaoutai" as the lead song of his second album, "Racine Carrée." The title 'Papaoutai,' phonetically mirrors "Papa, où t'es?" meaning "Dad, where are you?" The song and its accompanying video address the absence of Stromae's father and his fear of being unable to be a father himself without a role model. In 2015, Stromae returned to his father's homeland to conclude his global tour. After 192 concerts worldwide, he performed 'Papaoutai' in Kigali in front of 20,000 people, marking the end of his identity quest and fully embracing his dual heritage.

 

After a long hiatus due to health issues, during which Stromae focused on music production, he made his comeback on international stages at the end of 2022. A decade after its 2013 release, 'Papaoutai''s video had surpassed one billion views on YouTube, becoming the most viewed French-speaking song on the platform up to 2023, and second up till now.

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