Claude (singer)

This article is about the Dutch singer known mononymously as Claude. For other singers of the same name, see Claude (given name).

Not to be confused with Claud (singer).

Claude Kiambe (born 16 September 2003), known simply as Claude (/klaʊd/ ^ⓘ; Dutch pronunciation: [klʌu̯t] ^ⓘ),^[A] is a Congolese-born Dutch singer-songwriter. His debut single "Ladada (Mon dernier mot)" topped the Dutch Singles Chart in 2022, followed by a further four charting singles.^[3][4] His debut album, Parler français, was released in 2024. He represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song "C'est la vie".

Claude
Claude in 2025
Background information
Birth name	Claude Kiambe
Born	(2003-09-16) 16 September 2003 (age 21) Boma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Origin	Enkhuizen, Netherlands
Genres	Pop chanson
Occupations	Singer songwriter
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	2017–present

Early life and education

Kiambe was born on 16 September 2003 in Boma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.^[5][6] His mother fled to the Netherlands with him and his siblings when he was nine years old, first living in an asylum center in Alkmaar. The family later moved to Enkhuizen, where he obtained his HAVO high school diploma. He later studied hotel management, but discontinued the studies.^[7] He speaks Dutch, French and English.^[2]

Career

In 2019, Kiambe took part in the eighth season of The Voice Kids, where he was eliminated in the battle stage.^[8] The following year, he won the casting show Are You Next?, signing a contract with the record label Cloud 9.^[9]

Kiambe released his debut single "Ladada (Mon dernier mot)" in 2022, which topped the Dutch Top 40. The song earned him multiple awards, such as the 3FM Award for Best Newcomer and the Qmusic Artist of the Year award. He has cited Stromae and Lewis Capaldi as inspirations for his music.^[10][2] He was scheduled to open Stromae's 2023 concerts at the Ziggo Dome before they were cancelled due to Stromae's health problems.^[2]

On 19 December 2024, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced that Kiambe would be representing the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.^[11] His entry, "C'est la vie", was released on 27 February 2025.^[12]

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		NLD [13]	BEL (Fl) [14]
Parler français	Released: 15 November 2024[15] Label: Cloud 9 Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming	6	150

Extended plays

Title	Details
Beste Zangers 2024 (Claude)	Released: 15 November 2024[16] Label: Inmediate,[16] Cornelis Format: Digital download, streaming
The Singles Collection	Released: 9 May 2025[17] Label: Cloud 9 Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album or EP
		NLD [13]	AUT [18]	BEL (Fl) [14]	FIN [19]	ICE [20]	LTU [21]	NOR [22]	SWE [23]	SWI [24]	UK Digital [25]
"Ladada (Mon dernier mot)"	2022	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	NVPI: Diamond[26]	Parler français
"Layla (Take Me on Your Way) [nl]"	2023	11	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	NVPI: Platinum[26]
"Vas-y (Ga maar) [nl]" (with Suzan & Freek)		8	—	44	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	NVPI: Platinum[26]
"Écoutez-moi [nl]"	2024	32	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	NVPI: Gold[26]
"Parler français"		—[B]	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"La pression"		—[C]	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Je t'aime" (with Zoë Tauran [nl])		35	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"C'est la vie"	2025	2	63	49	44	13	13	67	53	23	52	NVPI: Gold[26]	The Singles Collection
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominees	Result	Ref.
2023	3FM Awards	Best Newcomer	Himself	Won	[29]
2024		Best Artist		Nominated	[30]
		Best Song	"Layla (Take Me on Your Way) [nl]"	Won
		Best Collaboration	"Vas-y (Ga maar) [nl]" (with Suzan & Freek)	Won
	Qmusic Top 40 Awards	Best National Artist	Himself	Won	[31]
	MTV Europe Music Awards	Best Dutch Act		Nominated	[32]
2025	3FM Awards	Best Artist		Nominated	[33]
		Best Album	Parler français	Won

Notes

1. Kiambe Dutchified the pronunciation of his first name to avoid association with the word kloot.^[1][2]
2. "Parler français" did not enter the Dutch Single Top 100, but peaked at No. 27 on the Single Tip chart.^[27]
3. "La pression" did not enter the Dutch Single Top 100, but peaked at No. 1 on the Single Tip chart.^[28]