Papaoutai

Paul Van Haver, performing as Stromae, released Papaoutai on May 13, 2013, to introduce his second studio album Racine carrée. The track combines electronic production with hip-hop rhythms and dance-pop structures to address the pain of paternal abandonment. The title serves as a phonetic play on the French phrase "Papa où t'es?" which translates to "Dad, where are you?" This question drives the lyrics, reflecting Van Haver's own childhood experience of being raised by his mother after his father left when he was four years old.

The song reached number one in both Wallonia and Flanders upon its release in Belgium and topped the charts in France shortly after. It became one of the best-selling singles in French history, earning Diamond certification in France for sales exceeding 750,000 units. In the United States, the track peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and appeared on the Billboard Global 200 list.

A music video directed by Stéphane Sautet premiered in June 2013, featuring the artist and a troupe of dancers performing robotic movements on a rotating stage within a black-and-white set. The visual style emphasized mechanical detachment and mirrored the song's themes of emotional distance. By 2026, the track experienced a significant resurgence after an AI-generated Afro Soul version became the most trending audio on Instagram, sparking widespread debate regarding generative artificial intelligence in the music industry. [edit]