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Roméo Elvis

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In this Dutch name, the surname is van Laeken, not Laeken.
Roméo Elvis
Elvis in 2018
Elvis in 2018
Background information
Birth nameRoméo Johnny Elvis Kiki van Laeken
Born (1992-12-13) 13 December 1992 (age 32)
Uccle, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • record producer
  • singer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active2012–present
Labels
  • Daring Music
  • L'Œil Écoute Laboratoire
  • back in the dayz
Websiteromeoelvis.com

Roméo Johnny Elvis Kiki van Laeken (Dutch pronunciation: [vɑn ˈlaːkə(n)]; born 13 December 1992), better known by his stage name Roméo Elvis[1][2] (French: [ʁɔmeo ɛlvis]), is a Francophone Belgian rapper and record producer.

His career began with the release of two EPs in 2013 and 2014, titled Bruxelles c'est devenu la jungle and Famille nombreuse. In 2016, his album EP Morale was released. In 2017 and 2018, two more albums were released: Morale 2 and his reissue Morale 2 luxe (released from his collaboration with producer Le Motel). In 2019, he released an album titled Chocolat and another album in 2022 titled Tout Peut Arriver. He has close connections with Belgian band L'Or du Commun, hip hop duo Caballero & JeanJass, and French rapper Lomepal.

Biography

[edit]

Roméo van Laeken was born on 13 December 1992 in Uccle, Belgium,[3] from a family of French-speaking Belgian artists. His father Serge Van Laeken, better known as Marka, is a singer and songwriter. His mother Laurence Bibot is a comedian, and his younger sister Angèle is an international singer-songwriter.[4] Interested in music since his youth,[5] he developed a style distinct from that of other members of his family. Roméo Elvis was raised in Linkebeek, in the southern suburbs of Brussels,[4] and later relocated to Forest.

After primary school, he continued his secondary studies at Saint-Luc Tournai Institute where he learned to paint and draw.[6] It was during this time that Elvis began rapping with his friends. His artistic training continued at ESA 75, in Brussels, where he studied photo-journalism. While continuing to practice rap, he became close to members of L'Or du Commun.

While his first EPs were being released, Roméo Elvis was working as a cashier at the supermarket chain Carrefour. Despite his success, he was not able to earn enough money from rapping alone. Shortly before the release of the album Bruxelles arrive, he quit his job and devoted himself solely to music.[7] In 2016, Elvis and producer Le Motel released the EP Morale, which was a musical breakthrough for Elvis in Belgium and in France.[6][8] Morale was followed in March 2017 by the studio album Morale 2, which was reissued in February 2018 as the double record Morale 2luxe.

In 2019, Elvis collaborated with French sportswear brand Lacoste to create a limited collection. That same year, he released his first solo album Chocolat, which features guest appearances from Matthieu Chedid and Damon Albarn.[9][10]

In 2020, Elvis was the subject of allegations of sexual assault on social networks (see Controversies) which led to Elvis issuing a public statement in which he apologized for what he described as "inappropriate" behavior. Although no complaints were filed against him,[11] several brands[12] and artists ended their collaboration with Elvis.

In 2022, Elvis released his second solo album Tout peut arriver.[10][13]

Musical style and influence

[edit]

The musical style of Roméo Elvis has evolved with the progression of his projects. While developing old-school instrumentals and a flow with similar ambiance to his first two EPs, his collaboration with the producer Le Motel on Morale and Morale 2 profoundly changed his style. He currently allows himself to make more refrains and add electronic instrumentals, and in accord with the jazz of Le Motel, giving them a more current tone.[14]

Elvis's influences are numerous: the Belgian group L'or du Commun with which he made his rapping debut is one of his main ones. Their style can also be recognized in his first two projects with group members. He also frequently mentions the rapper Caballero as someone who greatly inspired him; they met while Bruxelles arrive was being recorded. Concerning French rap, Elvis considers the rapper Alpha Wann of the group 1995 as "the rap master playing for me in terms of placement and in terms of how to say things in a very meaningful way". Fuzati, leader of Klub des Loosers, strongly influences the rapper. Primarily in his somber aspect, but also in the manner that the rapper holds plenty of derision towards life. He also references the masked rapper in many of his titles, like in Drôle de décision.[15] Elvis is also a fan of the French artist Philippe Katerine.

Concerts and tours

[edit]

While he began performing at concerts while growing closer to L'Or du Commun, it was during the release of Morale, in 2015, that Roméo Elvis and Le Motel began touring, with 19 performances across Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. The release of Morale 2 also marked the beginning of another, bigger tour with 29 performances and concerts in several large festivals such as Dour Festival,[16] Rock en Seine,[17] le Printemps de Bourges,[18] and Garorock.

Personal life

[edit]

Elvis suffers from tinnitus, common among musicians. He has made references to this condition in many of his titles, such as L'oreille sifflante and Ma tête.[19] In an interview with Radio Nova, he explained that if he could earn a substantial income from rapping he would donate some of it to fight the disease. [citation needed]

Controversies

[edit]

In September 2020, an anonymous user of the social network Instagram shared content in which she accused Elvis of sexual assault.[20] Elvis later issued a statement on social networks in which he apologized for what he described as inappropriate gestures, and called himself "an example not to follow".[21][22] The affair drew attention on social networks, occurring in the context of online social movement #BalanceTonRappeur ("Denounce Your Rapper", in reference to the #MeToo movement) that began earlier that month, when rapper Moha La Squale was under investigation for allegations of sexual abuse and acts of violence, and following with other French-language rappers being the subjects of allegations of sexual assault.[12][22] Consequently, French sportswear company Lacoste announced the end of their collaboration with both Elvis and Moha La Squale.[12][23] Belgian confectionery company Galler, which had produced chocolate bars with Elvis's image, removed all references to their collaboration on its website, according to news network RTBF.[24][25] On the same week, Fuzati, founder of hip-hop project Klub Des Loosers, was releasing his latest studio album Vanité, which included a track featuring Roméo Elvis; Fuzati then announced that all verses sung by Elvis would be removed from the digital edition of the track.[26] Congolese-Belgian rapper Damso also declared he would end his upcoming collaboration with Elvis.[27][28]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Year Album Peak positions Certification
BEL
(Fl)
[29] 		BEL
(Wa)
[30] 		FR
[31] 		SWI
[32]
2016 Morale
(Roméo Elvis x Le Motel) 		— 57 — —
2017 Morale 2
(Roméo Elvis x Le Motel) 		29 3 6 39
2019 Chocolat 4 1 3 5
2022 Tout peut arriver 22 1 6
[35] 		40
2023 Les galeries — 21 — —
2024 Écho — 24 — —

Others

  • 2018: Morale 2Luxe (with Le Motel)

EPs

[edit]
  • 2013: Bruxelles c'est devenu la jungle
  • 2014: Famille nombreuse
  • 2016: Morale (with Le Motel)
  • 2020: Maison

Singles

[edit]
Year Title Peak positions Certification Album
BEL
(Fl)
[29] 		BEL
(Wa)
[30] 		FR
[31] 		SWI
[32]
2017 "Diable"
(Roméo Elvis x Le Motel) 		61 Tip  –  – Morale 2
"Drôle de question"
(Roméo Elvis x Le Motel) 		56 54 89  –
"Lenita"
(Roméo Elvis x Le Motel) 		69 Tip  –  –
"J'ai vu"
(Roméo Elvis x Le Motel feat. Angèle) 		 – 79 164  –
"Méchant"
  – 64  –  – non-album single
2018 "Dessert"
(Roméo Elvis x Le Motel) 		Tip 53 181  – Morale 2 (Deluxe)
"300 (Henri) – Colors Session"
(Roméo Elvis x Le Motel) 		 – Tip 181  – non-album single
2019 "Malade" 59 2 7
[36] 		66 Chocolat
"Normal"  – 26 80  –
"Soleil" 66 7 11
[37] 		 –
2022 "Quand je marche"
(with Ben Mazué) 		— 49 — — Tout peut arriver
[edit]
Year Title Peak positions Certification Album
BEL
(Fl)
[29] 		BEL
(Wa)
[30] 		FR
[31] 		SWI
[32]
2017 "Acid"
(Ulysse feat. Roméo Elvis) 		Tip 84  –  – Ulysse album
SURF
"Apollo"
(L'Or du Commun feat. Roméo Elvis) 		 – Tip  –  – L'Or du Commun album
Zeppelin
"Hit Sale"
(Therapie Taxi feat. Roméo Elvis) 		 – 1 12  – Therapie Taxi album
Hit Sale
2018 "On & On"
(Her feat. AnnenMayKantereit & Roméo Elvis) 		 – 72  –  – Her album
Her
"Incroyaux"
(Caballero & JeanJass feat. Roméo Elvis) 		 – 46 115  – Caballero & JeanJass album
Double hélice 3
"1000 °C"
(Lomepal feat. Roméo Elvis) 		Tip 17 3 82 Lomepal album
Jeannine
"Tout oublier"
(Angèle feat. Roméo Elvis) 		6 1 1 55 Angèle album
Brol
2020 "Pharmacist"[40]
(Mr. Oizo featuring Roméo Elvis) 		TBA

Other songs

[edit]
Year Title Peak positions Album
FR
[31] 		BEL
(Wa)
[30]
2019 "Chocolat" 37 — Chocolat
"Coeur des hommes" 45 —
"Parano" (feat. -M-) 46 —
"Bobo" 65 —
"Solo" 74 —
"194" 81 —
"Intro (Chocolat)" 89 —
"Viseur" 104 —
"3 Étoiles" 110 —
"Dis-moi" 126 —
"Kuneditdoen" (feat. Zwangere Guy) 128 —
"La Belgique Afrique" 130 —
"En silence" (feat. Témé) 131 —
"T'es bonne" 152 —
"Perdu" (feat. Damon Albarn) 153 —
"Interlude (Chocolat)" 164 —
2020 "Défoncé" 49
[41] 		46 Maison
"Chaud" 51
[41] 		—
"Gonzo" 84
[41] 		—
"Vinci" 112
[41] 		—
"Interlude" 167
[41] 		—

Collaborations

[edit]
  • 2013: L'Or du Commun – Lotus Bleu (feat. Roméo Elvis), in their EP L'Origine
  • 2013: L'Or du Commun – Mon Voisin (feat. Roméo Elvis), in L'Or du Commun's EP L'Origine
  • 2015: Primero – Deuxième Ombre (feat. Roméo Elvis), in Primero's EP Scénarios
  • 2015: Primero – Présidentielles (feat. Roméo Elvis), in Primero's EP Scénarios
  • 2015: Stikstof – Dobberman (feat. Roméo Elvis), in Stikstof's album Stikstof/02
  • 2016: L'Or du Commun – Mouton Noir (feat. Original Flow Mastaz and Roméo Elvis)
  • 2016: Phasm – Souvent (feat. Roméo Elvis), in Phasm's mixtape Phasmixtape Vol. 1
  • 2017: Caballero & JeanJass – Vrai ou faux (feat. Roméo Elvis), in their album Double Hélice 2
  • 2017: Heystap Squad – Pression (feat. Roméo Elvis), in their EP Pression
  • 2017: L'Or du Commun – Apollo (feat. Roméo Elvis), in their EP Zeppelin
  • 2017: Lomepal – Billet (feat. Roméo Elvis), in his album Flip
  • 2017: Lord Esperanza – Infiniment Vôtre (feat. Roméo Elvis), in his album Polaroïd
  • 2017: Roméo Elvis – Carrière, in The Alchemist's EP Paris L.A. Bruxelles
  • 2017: Therapie Taxi – Hit Sale (feat. Roméo Elvis), in their album Hit Sale
  • 2017: Ulysse – Acid (feat. Roméo Elvis)
  • 2017: Zwangere Guy – Low & Lowgisch (feat. Roméo Elvis), in his mixtape Zwangerschapsverlof Vol.3
  • 2018: Caballero & JeanJass – Incroyaux (feat. Roméo Elvis), in their album Double Hélice 3
  • 2018: Di-Meh – Ride (feat. Roméo Elvis), in Di-Meh's album Focus Part. 2
  • 2018: Her – On and On (feat. Roméo Elvis et AnnenMayKantereit), in the album Her
  • 2018: Le 77 – La Sape (feat. Roméo Elvis), in their album Bawlers
  • 2018: Myth Syzer – Ouais Bébé (feat. Roméo Elvis et Ichon), in his album Bisous
  • 2018: Myth Syzer – Tocard (feat. Roméo Elvis), in his album Bisous
  • 2018: Roméo Elvis – Il m'a trompé, on DJ Weedim's mixtape La Boulangerie Française Vol.2
  • 2018: Roméo Elvis – Méchant, on the original band of Tueurs
  • 2018: Senamo – C'est mon boulot (feat. Roméo Elvis), in Senamo's album Poison Bleu
  • 2018: Slimka – Crazy Horses (feat. Roméo Elvis et Malala), in Slimka's mixtape No Bad Vol.2
  • 2018: Lomepal – 1000 °C (feat. Roméo Elvis)
  • 2018: Angèle – Tout oublier (feat. Roméo Elvis) in her album Brol
  • 2022: YellowStraps - MERCI (feat. Swing, Roméo Elvis)
  • 2022: Primero - Deux deux (feat. Roméo Elvis)
  • 2022: Kyo Itachi - Bizentin (feat. Roméo Elvis)
  • 2022: Sky - Ganjalove (feat. Roméo Elvis)
  • 2022: GUTTI - WOWOWO (feat. Roméo Elvis)

Awards and nominations

[edit]

NRJ Music Awards

[edit]
Year Category Work Result Ref.
2019 Francophonic Breakthrough Act Herself Nominated
Francophonic Group/Duo Angèle & Roméo Elvis Nominated
Video of the Year Tout oublier Feat Angèle Nominated
Francophonic Song of the Year Won

Red Bull Elektropedia Award

[edit]
Year Category Work Result Ref.
2016 Artist of the year Herself Nominated
Best Live Act Won
Chase Awards (Urban) Won
Breakthrough artist/DJ/Producer/M Nominated
Best Album Roméo Evis x Le Motel - Morale Won
Best Song Roméo Elvis x Caballero - Bruxelles arrive Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Romeo Elvis rap c'est nouveau rock". Le Temps. 9 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Romeo Elvis nous explique la difference entre le rap belge, le rap francais, et nos frites". HuffPost. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  3. ^ Majdoub, Rachid (9 April 2017). "FRENCHMEN No. 6 : Roméo Johnny Elvis Kiki Van Laeken, aka Roméo Elvis". Konbini.com. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Roméo Elvis, MC baryton". La Libre Belgique. 6 October 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  5. ^ Marolle, Emmanuel (11 February 2018). "Rap : Roméo Elvis, roi des Belges à la conquête de la France". Le Parisien. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  6. ^ a b Vautier, Charlotte (15 February 2017). "QUI ES-TU : Roméo Elvis, le Belge qui s'impose dans le rap français". Clique.tv (in French). Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Roméo Elvis : "Bruxelles est arrivée" L'Interview Nova serrés dans une caisse". 7 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ Narlian, Laure (16 February 2018). "Le rappeur Roméo Elvis remet le couvert fun et groove sur "Morale 2luxe"". France Info (in French). Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Roméo Elvis se la joue Charlie et la Chocolaterie dans le clip de "Chocolat"". France Info (in French). 29 October 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  10. ^ a b Delcourt, Maxime (25 May 2022). "Que penser de "Tout peut arriver", le second album de Roméo Elvis ?". Les Inrockuptibles (in French). Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  11. ^ Pierret, Benjamin (25 May 2022). "Roméo Elvis de retour avec l'album "Tout peut arriver": "Je prends mes responsabilités"". BFM TV (in French). Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Lacoste cuts ties with rappers Moha la Squale, Roméo Elvis, both accused of sexual assault".
  13. ^ "Musique: le chanteur belge Roméo Elvis revient avec un album-thérapie". France 24 (in French). 4 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Notre génération est plus inquiète que la précédente". 24 January 2017. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  15. ^ "Roméo Elvis – Drôle de décision". Genius.com. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Line Up – Dour Festival 2018 – 11+12+13+14+15 July". Dourfestival.eu. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  17. ^ "Programmation – Rock en Seine – Festival – Paris". Rockenseine.com. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  18. ^ Vedel, Boris. "Le Printemps de Bourges". Printemps-bourges.com. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  19. ^ "Roméo Elvis – Ma tête". Genius.com. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  20. ^ "Roméo Elvis accusé d'agression sexuelle: "Je regrette sincèrement ce geste", réagit le chanteur". Le Soir (in French). 9 September 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  21. ^ "Agression sexuelle : mis en cause, le rappeur Roméo Elvis présente ses excuses". Le Point (in French). 9 September 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  22. ^ a b Perron, Erwan (10 September 2020). "Moha La Squale, Roméo Elvis... Le rap francophone rattrapé par #MeToo". Télérama (in French). Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Lacoste rompt avec les rappeurs Moha La Squale et Roméo Elvis, accusés d'agressions sexuelles". Le Point (in French). 19 September 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  24. ^ Noulet, Jean-François (10 September 2020). "Le chocolatier Galler supprime le nom du rappeur Roméo Elvis de son site internet". RTBF (in French). Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Galler supprime toute trace de sa collaboration avec Roméo Elvis". Soir Mag (in French). 11 September 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  26. ^ "Le Klub des Loosers retire Roméo Elvis de la tracklist de "Vanité"". Mouv' (in French). 14 September 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  27. ^ Ottavi, Marie (27 September 2020). "Damso, séjour de gloire à Kinshasa". Libération (in French). Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Damso refuse de collaborer avec Roméo Elvis, accusé d'agression sexuelle". Le Figaro (in French). 30 September 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  29. ^ a b c "Roméo Elvis discography". ultratop.be/nl. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  30. ^ a b c d "Roméo Elvis discography". ultratop.be/fr. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  31. ^ a b c d "Roméo Elvis discography". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  32. ^ a b c "Roméo Elvis discography". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Les certifications - SNEP". Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  34. ^ "Gold & Platinum - 2019 Albums". ultratop.be. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  35. ^ "Top Albums (Week 22, 2022)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  36. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles (téléchargement + streaming) – SNEP (Week 9, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  37. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles (téléchargement + streaming) – SNEP (Week 34, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  38. ^ "ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". Ultratop. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  39. ^ "ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". Ultratop. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  40. ^ "Mr Oizo et Roméo Elvis collaborent pour le titre "Pharmacist"" (in French). Les Inrockuptibles. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  41. ^ a b c d e "Top Singles (Week 18, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
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