In Rwanda during these years, one of the worst genocides in modern history took place.
For nine-year-old Paul, the tragedy had a phantom character for several years: as his mother concealed the death of her husband, explaining his absence by a long departure for work.
The boy believed it, because he had only seen his father a few times before. Ruthar was a famous architect, and business trips took up a lot of his time.
This is what Stromae's hit song "Papaoutai" is about, in which the musician reflects on fatherlessness and the Rwandan genocide as shared and personal tragedies.
The Rwandan-born singer combines light beats and rather harsh social themes in his music.
Paul Van Aver was born in Brussels in 1985 to Tutsi Rwandan Pierre Rutar and Flemish Miranda Van Aver. In 1994, his father went to his homeland to visit relatives and did not return.
Paul's escape from loneliness was music. His mother took him to soul concerts by James Brown.
And during family parties, many musicians played in their house. Meanwhile, the clubs were playing the ubiquitous new-beat that put Belgium on the world music map in the late 80s.
"I'm proud to sing in beautiful French, because it's the language my mom speaks."
Belgium is "split" into Dutch Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia. The young Van Aver had already decided at the start of his career that he would choose French in music. He said:
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