‘Papaoutai’ was released in 2013 by Belgian singer/songwriter, Stromae. It is one of the most popular track in the artist’s discography and helped kickstart his local and international music success. The song received several awards and nominations including Belgian Tube of the Year 2014, an NRJ Music Award in 2013, and. UK Music Video nomination in 2013.
Ten years after its release, the ‘Papaoutai’ music video has received over 1 billion views on YouTube. It’s no surprise that a work of art that received so much acclaim had a very personal origin. Today we’ll discuss more about Stromae and his turbulent but inspiring life.
Who Is stromae?
Paul van Haver, also known as Stromae, is a Belgian singer and songwriter. His music is a unique blend of hip hop, electric, African, and Caribbean sounds. He released his first official studio album, Cheese, in 2010. Three years later in 2013, he released his second studio album, Racine Carrée. Finally, his most recent album, Multitude, released in 2022 after a 9-year hiatus due to a severe bout of depression and mental health concerns.
why is ‘papaoutai’ so special?
Stromae was born from Rwandan and Flemish decent. His late father, Pierre Rutare, was sadly murdered during the 1994 Rwandan genocide during a family visit. However, the song reveals that Pierre never had much of a presence in Stromae’s life before his death.
The music video features a young boy who lives in a very small culdesac with his father who is a stiff mannequin. The boy goes about his routine while trying to connect with his father, but the father remains still and unresponsive. Meanwhile, all of the other kids are able to bond with their parents through intricate dances.
Throughout the video, the boy becomes increasingly frustrated at his father’s silence. He attempts to create his own dance and tries to get his father to join him. He ends up resorting to dancing by himself in the middle of the cul-de-sac with only the imagination of his father dancing with him. By the end, the boy realizes that the only way to have some connection with his father is to become a stiff mannequin himself.
Stromae is known for writing music with very heavy and relatable life experiences. Not only is ‘Papaoutai’ a great sounding song, but its message resonates with a lot of listeners with similar experiences. You can find more Stromae’s music on YouTube and Spotify!
Here at Mic Drop Music, we want to know your thoughts! Are you a fan of Stromae? Which of his songs are your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
