Rising star Stromae sweeps French Grammys

"Formidable"! The title of Belgian musician Stromae’s hit song sums up the success of this young artist, who picked up three awards at the Victoires de la Musique, the French equivalent of the Grammys.

Other winners included French legends Vanessa Paradis and Johnny Hallyday, but it was the Belgian artist of Rwandan origin who won best album for "Racine carrée" at the 29th edition of the awards held in Paris’s Zénith Theatre on Friday.

Vanessa Paradis, best know internationally as the face of Chanel, being the ex-partner of Hollywood star Johnny Depp, and for French pop classics such as ‘Joe Le Taxi’, was on hand to accept the prize for best female artist 24 years after first winning the award.

She is the only woman to have won the prize three times. Only one male artist, Alain Bashung, has achieved that honour before.

Veteran rocker Johnny Hallyday was not present to pick up his best song award, but he thanked his fans via Twitter.

Another notable absence was that of French duo Daft Punk, who won big at the American Grammys but kept away from the French awards.

Stromae, who won best album, male artist of the year, and best music video for “Formidable”, took the stage of the famous Zénith Theatre wearing his habitual bow tie and pastel suit.

“One doesn't play music to achieve success," he told the Zénith crowd. "But if it brings success as well, then so much the better!"

- France24.com