Stromae: the singer decorated by Belgian King Philip during a rare public appearance

The singer Stromae was decorated this Thursday by Belgian King Philippe during a ceremony at the royal palace in Brussels, who praised her “deep and unconventional musical universe” that guarantees Belgium’s influence abroad.

Public appearances by the 39-year-old Belgian star have been very rare since the end of a world tour for health reasons was announced in May 2023.

This tour to promote his third album titled Crew which was to last until December 2023 had already been interrupted. But after some canceled dates, producer Auguri had to resign and announce that the singer’s health was incompatible with this performance.

A few words in a low voice.

Thursday, the perpetrator of the coup. Enormous He appeared smiling, with a very sober suit and tie, receiving from the hands of the king, in a red box, the distinction of “Commander of the Order of the Crown.” This title of the national orders rewards “exceptional merits” in the artistic, literary or scientific field, according to the authorities.

Stromae, Paul Van Haver by his marital status, was honored along with twenty Belgian personalities, some of whom received the noble title of “baron”, such as the dancer and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

There has been no public statement. Like the others, Stromae only exchanged a few words in a low voice with the sovereign as he received his distinction, on a platform in front of the guests.

“Like a certain Jacques Brel”

In a text written in advance by the palace and read to the public, one of the most listened to French-speaking artists in the world on musical platforms was celebrated for “his talent and his audacity”, having “redefined the contours of music contemporary” with its mix of French song, rap, electro and world rhythms.

“His art makes Belgium resonate throughout the world. Like a certain Jacques Brel, in his time”, “Stromae knew how to create a deep and unconventional musical universe, which resonates with the works of the great surrealist artists of the 20th century”, was emphasized.

Fueled by a gigantic world tour following their successful second album. Square root (2013), Stromae threw in the towel for the first time in late 2015, suffering from depression aggravated by the side effects of an antimalarial.

He returned to the stage in 2022 to present Crewincluding title Hell with very personal accents in his suicidal thoughts. The album earned him a 6th and 7th Victoires de la Musique, in France, in February 2023.