Roméo Johnny Elvis Kiki Van Laeken (; born 13 December 1992), better known by his stage name Roméo Elvis (), is a Francophone Belgian rapper, record producer and hip hop artist.
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
Roméo Van Laeken was born on 13 December 1992 in Uccle, Belgium, 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. Interested in music since his youth, 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, 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. 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. In 2016, Elvis and producer Le Motel released the EP Morale, which was a musical breakthrough for Elvis in Belgium and in France. 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.
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, several brands and artists ended their collaboration with Elvis.
In 2022, Elvis released his second solo album Tout peut arriver.
Musical style and influence
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.
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. Elvis is also a fan of the French artist Philippe Katerine.
Concerts and tours
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, Rock en Seine, le Printemps de Bourges, and Garorock.