Marka

Serge Van Laeken (born 27 May 1961), known as Marka, is a Belgian singer, songwriter, composer and film-maker.

Early life Serge Van Laeken was born into a Flemish family and grew up in the bilingual Brussels municipality of Molenbeek. Since his parents were very busy, he was brought up mainly by his grandparents. His childhood was untroubled and he spent a good part of his time playing football with his friends. He was given the nickname Markassou by an African friend and it was later shortened to Marka.

Career Marka bought his first guitar in 1978 and then began performing with small groups in Brussels. He joined the group Allez Allez in 1981. In February 1983 he formed Les Cactus and released his first solo album in 1992. In March 1995 he signed a contract with Columbia France for three albums and released as singles two of the tracks which were to sell the best, "Accouplés" et "La Poupée Barbue". "L'Idiomatic" was released in 1997.

In 2005 Marka set off on his Aktion Man tour, performing in Tokyo, Beijing, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The following year an album was released.

Honours In 2005 Marka was made a Knight of the Order of Leopold II (Chevalier de l'Ordre de Léopold II) by the Minister of Culture for Wallonia and Brussels.

Discography

This is not an exhaustive list.

Je vous dis tout (1992) Merci d'avance (1995) L'Idiomatic (1997) L'Homme qui aimait la scène (1999) À nous deux, live with Laurence Bibot (2000) Avant après (2001) L'État c'est moi (2003) C'est tout moi (2004) Aktion Man (2006) Monsieur et Madame, with Laurence Bibot (2008) Marka y La Sonora Cubana (2008) Made in Liège (2010) Days of wine and roses (2015) - album What's Going Wrong (2015) - single It's only football (2016) - single