Stromae

Paul Van Haver (born: ), better known by his stage name Stromae (formerly known as Opmaestro),https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/arts/15iht-stromae15.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 is a Belgian-Rwandan singer-songwriter, rapper and musician. He is mostly known for his works in the genre of the hip hop and electronic music.
==Personal life==
Paul Van Haver's upbringing was shaped by his multicultural heritage and the tragic loss of his father. He was born in Brussels and raised in the city's Laeken district, where he grew up with his siblings under the care of his Belgian Flemish mother, Miranda Van Haver. His father, Pierre Rutare, was a Rwandan Tutsi and a prominent architect who was killed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide while visiting his family.
Growing up, Van Haver attended the Sacré-coeur de Jette, a Jesuit school in Jette. However, he struggled in the public school system and eventually transferred to the Collège Saint-Paul in Godinne. It was during this time that he formed a small rap group with his friends, exploring his interest in music and setting the foundation for his future career.
Van Haver's musical influences are diverse and span across different cultures. He was particularly inspired by Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel, whose storytelling and emotive performances had a profound impact on his own songwriting. Additionally, he drew inspiration from Cuban son and Congolese rumba, incorporating elements of these genres into his music to create a unique sound that has resonated with audiences around the world.
On December 12, 2015, Van Haver married Coralie Barbier in a private ceremony held in Mechelen. Their first child, a son, was born on September 23, 2018.
===Suicidal thoughts===
In 2015, Paul Van Haver was prescribed Lariam (Mefloquine), a medication used to prevent malaria. However, he experienced serious side effects such as depression, anxiety, and hallucinations. These side effects led to suicidal thoughts, and he once shared that he was on the brink of taking his own life. With the help of his brother, he was able to overcome this difficult period. As a result of his condition, he had to cancel a tour through Africa and has since avoided public appearances.
In a 2017 interview, Stromae revealed that he still experiences panic attacks and initially left open whether he would be able to make music professionally again. However, he has been showing himself in public again since 2018.
==Professional career==
===Early career===
Stromae, began his music career as a rapper in Belgium in the mid-2000s. In 2007, he released his first EP "Juste un cerveau, un flow, un fond et un mic..." which gained critical acclaim and helped him gain a following in his home country.
In 2010, he released his debut album, "Cheese," which featured the hit single "Alors on danse." The song became a massive success across Europe, reaching the top of the charts in multiple countries, and even made its way to the United States, where it was remixed by rapper Kanye West. The success of "Alors on danse" propelled Stromae to international fame and established him as a major force in the music industry.
Stromae continued to build on his success with the release of his second album, "Racine Carrée," in 2013. The album featured hit singles such as "Formidable" and "Papaoutai" and received critical acclaim for its unique blend of electronic and world music elements. "Racine Carrée" became the best-selling album in Belgium of all time, and Stromae's popularity continued to grow around the world.
Throughout his early career, Stromae established himself as a socially conscious artist, addressing themes such as poverty, immigration, and mental health in his music. He also gained a reputation for his visually striking music videos, which often used creative and surreal imagery to convey his messages.
===Hiatus & Return===
After the release of his second album "Racine Carrée" in 2013, Stromae took a hiatus from music due to health issues related to the side effects of the anti-malaria drug Lariam. He struggled with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, and had to cancel a tour through Africa as a result. In a 2017 interview, he revealed that he still suffered from panic attacks and initially left open whether he would ever be able to make music professionally again.
However, Stromae made a comeback in 2018 with the release of a new song and music video called "Défiler," which was created as part of a collaboration with fashion designer Mosaert. The song and video showcased Stromae's unique blend of music and fashion, and his return was met with great excitement from fans around the world.
Since then, Stromae has continued to make occasional appearances and collaborations, including a performance at the 2019 African Cup of Nations closing ceremony and a feature on rapper Kanye West's album "Donda" in 2021. While he has not released a full album since "Racine Carrée," his return to the music scene has been welcomed by fans and critics alike.
From 2010 to 2014, Stromae continued to release new songs and perform in concerts, solidifying his reputation as a talented musician and artist. However, in 2015-2016, he shifted his focus to modeling and temporarily put his music career on hold. This was due to a number of personal issues and health concerns that required his attention.
During his hiatus, Stromae remained relatively quiet on the music front, leaving fans wondering when he would return to the studio. However, on November 10, 2020, he broke his silence during a Live Instagram session to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his fashion label, Mosaert. He revealed that he was working on new music and gave fans a glimpse of what they could expect from his future releases.
On October 15, 2021, Stromae released his first single in three years, titled "Santé." The song is an ode to essential workers, including waitresses and cleaning staff, who showed remarkable dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic. The accompanying music video features a dance that Stromae created specifically for the song, further showcasing his unique blend of music and fashion.
Following the success of "Santé," Stromae announced on December 8, 2021, that his highly anticipated third studio album, "Multitude," would be released on March 4, 2022. He also unveiled a second single from the album, "L'enfer," during a live performance on French television on January 9, 2022.Paul on the TF1 stage singing his song "L'enfer"
==References==
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