Stromae

Art never made style and style has never made the art. The latest face of the new beat generation is the internationally renowned artist known as Stromae, who is set to release his debut album “Cheese” in 2010. Lead by “Alors on Danse,” Stromae has become a massive music phenomenon. Against the conventions of baggy rags, the young maestro has no desire for the artifice of the hip-hop bling. Instead, this artist’s humble demeanor comes dressed in a bow tie, his reason being “simply being dressed for work like everyone else.” Ironically the loather of trends would soon become a trend of own. Always in the core of the movement, this distinguished artist is above all, his own creator.

The Stromae sound, influenced by new wave beats that are mainly derived from Belgium, express a more subversive danceable version of their early 90’s Technotronic and underground House music. The new beat term refers to a new “beat” oriented sound, encompassed by combining electronic club music and techno with a flavour of 80’s Chicago House music.

Born Paul Van Haver, the beat making prodigy cradled in hip-hop and electro music, discovered his zeal for the drums and percussion as a child. Son of a Rwandan father and a Belgium mother, he practices from his home studio in Brussels, Belgium. Composer, songwriter, interpreter, he produces his own tracks which he later presents in an innovative manner.

In 2009, in his bedroom seated at his desk in front of his keyboard and computer, he faces a camera playing the role of a music teacher. In a course on how to make a musical composition, he incorporates several of his own tracks like, “Alors On Danse,” thus becoming “lesson n8” of the notorious “lessons of Stromae.”

Discovered by Internet users, the rhythmic maestro never imagined that these lessons would one day provoke a viral frenzy of fans spreading from Belgium to Germany and eventually all over Europe. Charting at N°1 on the European Billboard singe charts, with “Alors On Danse,” the French speaking lyrical artist captivated the attention of the world.

Only 25 years of age, Stromae now has a fist full of resources, an undeniable talent, and a world buzz on his side. Stromae chose to verbalize over noteworthy beats points about music, life, and the one he has yet to live. Not just a party in a box, but a well written body questioning unwanted work, weekends as a way to escape everyday burdens, spousal abuse, love, topics often too real but always treated with a positive and thoughtful message. Stromae’s album “Cheese” is full of vibrant colored punches and rhythmic variant sounds that he confides his distinguished fingerprint in. The record conveys an old school minimal Technotronic sound warped from the 90’s, minced with sharp poetic texts and vintage electric beats. Naturally innovative he delivers most of his lyrics in French over music derived from house and electro. Distinguished by his ability to gather catchy rhythms fused with arranged beats sutured with an effective production. Always in motion he follows his conducting line subliminally registering a specific Stromae sound.

The art of Stromae’s style is like an image, “Depth and composition.” His record suggests soaking in the currents of effective melodies, while leaving us with deep lyrical blows to think about. Every creation emanates from a reflection, which is the essence that outlines the themes of his songs. A new rhythmical current is baptized. A moment in a childhood remembered, when we’re asked to smile for a picture. We don’t know why but we straighten our bow tie anyway and say that familiar word, “Cheese.”