He’s created himself in both hip hop and electronic music genres. Stromae came to broad public interest along with his tune “Alors on danse”, which became a number one in a number of European nations. In 2009 Stromae was employed as a young trainee in the musical radio station NRJ in Brussels. Vincent Verbelen, Music Manager, was pleased with the ability of Stromae’s first single ‘Alors on danse’ and chose to air it for the very first time on NRJ. The reaction from listeners (including powerful personalities that range from Anna Wintour and Jean-Claude Van Damme, to the then French president Nicolas Sarkozy) was one of extreme excitement and Stromae came to broader public interest. In several weeks from that stage, sales of the tune created it as number one in Belgium. Vertigo Records, a label of Mercury Records France (Universal Music Group) signed him for a global licensing deal shortly after this. Of his music and its particular influences he’s said: “I was in a small group doing rap music. I believed that rather than duplicating the French sound, I Had focus on a more American fashion but give it a European spin. To get a very long time we were embarrassed of this sound but in fact there is a great deal to find, it’s its origins in everything from house to salsa. I also really respect Jacques Brel — he’s been a tremendous influence on me — but also a wide range of other things, Cuban son, as well as the Congolese rumba, that I heard as a kid; that music rocked the whole of Africa.” Additionally, Stromae insists he wished to collaborate with up and coming rap group Swag 5 featuring rapper Tjay. Finally, the cooperation failed to take place, but Stromae is a huge supporter of the American based group. The critic Molloy Woodcraft : “He joins 90s electro synths and beats having a laid back delivery to mesmeric effect”. He’s among the ten winners of the European Border Breakers Award 2011. On February 9, 2011, his debut record ‘Cheese’ (including the hit single “Alors on danse”) won the award for The Best Dance Record in the Victoires de la musique.
Roman Catholic Jesuit school, Academy of Jette, Institut National de Cinématographie et Radioélectricité
Nationality
Belgium
Spouse
Coralie Barbier (m. 2015-)
Parents
Miranda Marie Van Haver, Dylann Steven
Nicknames
Paul Van Haver , Opsmaestro , Sromae
Awards
MTV Europe Music Award for Best Belgian Act
Record Labels
Vertigo Records
Music Groups
Suspicioun
Nominations
Best Dutch and Belgian Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards (2010), MTV Europe Music Award for Best Belgian Act (2011)
TV Shows
"Taratata" (2011), Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014), Snapchat story with Jerome Jarre (2014), "Carmen" (2015), Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (2015)
Star Sign
Pisces
#
Trademark
1
Green eyes
2
Slender figure
#
Fact
1
Born in Belgium to a Rwandan father and a Flemish mother.
2
Was in a relationship with former Miss Belgium 2005 Tatiana Silva Braga Tavares.
3
Father was killed during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
4
His second album, Racine Carree, was a huge critical and commercial success.
5
Came to wide public attention with his song "Alors on danse".
6
First stage name was Opsmaestro.
7
In a relationship with stylist Coralie Barbier (as of April 2015).
8
Has three brothers and one sister.
9
Has his look-alike puppet in the French show Les guignols de l'info (1988).
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2015
TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Swan Princess: A Royal Family Tale
2014
Video performer: "Papaoutai" / writer: "Papaoutai"
La chanson de l'année
2011
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Çakallarla Dans
2010
performer: "Alors on Danse"
Willkommen Österreich
2010
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Je pourrais être votre grand-mère
2010
Short performer: "Alors on danse" / writer: "Alors on danse" - as Paul Van Haver
So You Think You Can Dance Canada
2010
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Prozhektorperiskhilton
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2010 writer - 1 episode, 2010
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Racine Carré Live
2015
Performer
Backstage Diaries
2015
TV Series
Stromae: Papaoutai
2013
Video short
Dad
Stromae: Peace or Violence
2011
Video short
Alors on danse
2009
Short
Stromae
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Sofie Linde Show
2015
TV Series music - 2 episodes
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Je pourrais être votre grand-mère
2010
Short
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Une nuit au Grévin
2015
TV Movie
Himself - Posing as a model
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2015
TV Series
Himself - Musical guest
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2014
TV Series
Himself - Musical Guest
La chanson de l'année
2011-2014
TV Series
Himself
Victoires de la musique
2011-2014
TV Series
Himself / Himself - L'artiste interprète masculin de l'année - L'album de chansons de l'année - Le vidéo-clip de l'année