Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba (13 July 1956), known professionally as Koffi Olomidé, is a Congolese Soukus singer, dancer, producer, and composer. He has had several gold records in his career. He is the founder of the Quartier Latin International orchestra with many notable artists, including

Fally Ipupa Fally Ipupa N'simba (born December 14, 1977), known by his stage name Fally Ipupa, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, philanthropist, guitarist and producer. From 1999 until 2006, he was a member of Quartier Latin International, the music ...

and

Ferré Gola Ferré Gola, also Ferre Gola, whose full name is Hervé Gola Bataringe, is a DR Congolese recording artist. He at one time was a member of legendary Congolese bands, Wenge Musica Maison Mère and Quartier Latin International. Background He was ...

Background

Olomide was born on 13 July 1956 in

Kisangani Kisangani (formerly Stanleyville or Stanleystad) is the capital of Tshopo province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the fifth most populous urban area in the country, with an estimated population of 1,312,000 in 2021, and the larg ...

, DRC. His mother named him Koffi because he was born on Friday. He grew up in a

middle-class The middle class refers to a class of people in the middle of a social hierarchy, often defined by occupation, income, education, or social status. The term has historically been associated with modernity, capitalism and political debate. Comm ...

family, without any musical background. During his youth, Olomide improvised by singing popular songs with his own lyrics and altered rhythms until a neighbor taught him how to play the

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...

Education

Often described by fellow students and his teachers alike as "a very bright student," Olomide earned a

scholarship A scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skill, and financial need. Scholarsh ...

to study in

Bordeaux, France Bordeaux ( , ; Gascon oc, Bordèu ; eu, Bordele; it, Bordò; es, Burdeos) is a port city on the river Garonne in the Gironde department, Southwestern France. It is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture ...

where he obtained a

bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...

business economics Business economics is a field in applied economics which uses economic theory and quantitative methods to analyze business enterprises and the factors contributing to the diversity of organizational structures and the relationships of firms with ...

. He is also reported to hold a

master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

mathematics Mathematics is an area of knowledge that includes the topics of numbers, formulas and related structures, shapes and the spaces in which they are contained, and quantities and their changes. These topics are represented in modern mathematics ...

from the

University of Paris , image_name = Coat of arms of the University of Paris.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of Arms , latin_name = Universitas magistrorum et scholarium Parisiensis , motto = ''Hic et ubique terrarum'' (Latin) , mottoeng = Here and a ...

Musical career

Upon his return to the Congo in the 1970s, Koffi joined his mentor

Papa Wemba Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba (14 June 1949 – 24 April 2016), known professionally as Papa Wemba (), was a Congolese singer and musician who played Congolese rumba, soukous, and ndombolo. Dubbed the "King of Rumba Rock", he was one of the ...

in his band Viva la Musica, initially as a composer and songwriter, and later as a

lead vocalist The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...

. In 1986, he formed his band known as

Quartier Latin International Quartier Latin International (QLI), or Quartier Latin, is a soukous band from the Democratic Republic of the Congo established in 1986. Location The band was formed in 1986 in Kinshasa). It plays in DR Congo and other African countries and o ...

, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2006. Since then, he has performed and recorded both with the group and by himself. Over the years, he built up a faithful fan base internationally, particularly in Africa and Europe. Koffi popularized the slower style of

Soukous Soukous (from French '' secousse'', "shock, jolt, jerk") is a genre of dance music from Congo-Kinshasa and Congo-Brazzaville. It derived from Congolese rumba in the 1960s, becoming known for its fast dance rhythms and intricate guitar improv ...

, which he dubbed Tcha Tcho. His music can be quite controversial, taking on current events and topics considered

taboo A taboo or tabu is a social group's ban, prohibition, or avoidance of something (usually an utterance or behavior) based on the group's sense that it is excessively repulsive, sacred, or allowed only for certain persons.''Encyclopædia Britannica ...

in some conservative societies. He also participated in the

salsa music Salsa music is a style of Latin American music. Because most of the basic musical components predate the labeling of salsa, there have been many controversies regarding its origin. Most songs considered as salsa are primarily based on son montun ...

project

Africando Africando is a musical project formed in 1992 to unite New York-based salsa musicians with Senegalese vocalists. Musicians from other African countries were later included under the name Africando All Stars. Salsa has been a hugely popular style in ...

. For his effort, Effrakata, released in 2001, Koffi received four awards on a single night at the annual

Kora Awards The KORA All Africa Music Awards are music awards given annually for musical achievement in sub-Saharan Africa. The awards were founded in 1994 by Benin born businessman, Ernest Adjovi, after a discussion in Namibia with the country's President Ha ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

for 2002 and 2003, including the award for Best African Artist, which he won in 1998. More recently, he won the Kora Award for "Best African Artist of The Decade". This established one of his many aliases, the 'Quadra Kora Man.'

His music

Olomide's album ''Haut de Gamme: Koweït, Rive Gauche'' is listed in

1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die ''1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'' is a musical reference book first published in 2005 by Universe Publishing. Part of the ''1001 Before You Die'' series, it compiles writings and information on albums chosen by a panel of music critics ...

. In March 2003 Olomide released "Affaire D'Etat", a double CD album featuring 18 tracks. Most of his songs have the same tunes, but slightly different lyrics. Olomide was part of the

musical, in the early 1980s. He has trained many young musicians, some of whom have since left his

Quartier Latin The Latin Quarter of Paris (french: Quartier latin, ) is an area in the 5th and the 6th arrondissements of Paris. It is situated on the left bank of the Seine, around the Sorbonne. Known for its student life, lively atmosphere, and bistros ...

band and gone solo. Some of those who have left are Fele Mudogo, Sam Tshintu, Suzuki 4x4,

Soleil Wanga Roi Soleil Wanga is a DR Congolese recording artist, musician, vocalist and entertainer. At one time, he was a member of the musical band Quartier Latin International, formed and led by Congolese musician Koffi Olomide. In the productioInchallah Wan ...

Bouro Mpela Gecko Bouro Mpela, also known as Bouro Mpela (born 5 August 1975), is a soukous singer, dancer, and performer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was a member of the Quartier Latin International band, which was founded and led by Koffi ...

Montana Kamenga Montana Kamenga is a congolese recording artist, musician, vocalist and entertainer. At one time, he was a member of the musical band Quartier Latin International, formed and led by Congolese musician Koffi Olomide. In the productioInchallah Kame ...

Ferre Gola Ferre may refer to: People * Ferre Grignard (1939-1982), Belgian skiffle-singer * Ferre Spruyt (born 1986), Belgian speed skater * Todd Rivaldo Ferre (born 1999), Indonesian footballer * Ferré Gola (born 1976), Congolese singer * Maurice ...

. However, Suzuki 4x4 has recently showed up once more in some of Quartier Latin shows, along with new recruits like

Cindy Le Coeur Cindy Le Coeur is a recording artist, singer, and dancer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She is a member of the Congolese band Quartier Latin International, formed and led by musician Koffi Olomide. See also * Fally Ipupa * Bouro Mpela ...

, a female singer with very high pitched vocals, recorded in the song ''L'Amour N'existe Pas'' (Love doesn't exist). Koffi – who mostly refers to himself as "Mopao" – has a new release known as ''La Chicotte a Papa'', having recently excelled in hits like ''Lovemycine'', ''Diabolos'', ''Grand Pretre Mere'' and ''Soupou'', ''Cle Boa'', among others. Koffi's talent could be compared to the once king of African rhumba,

Franco Luambo Makiadi François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi (6 July 1938 – 12 October 1989) was a Congolese musician. He was a major figure in 20th-century Congolese music, and African music in general, principally as the leader for over 30 years of TPOK Jazz, the most po ...

, who also saw many artists pass through his expert hands during his days. Today, Olomde is one of Africa's most popular musicians.

Allegations

In 2012, Koffi Olomide allegedly assaulted one of his producer for abuse and no respect of contract and received a suspended three month sentence. In July 2016, while on a concert trip to Kenya, Olomide was filmed making a kicking move towards one of his dancers. The action was widely condemned and caused the suspension of the concert as the video went viral. On his return to his home country, he was arrested five days later in Kenya Airport, allegedly for the same unpunished action. He was subsequently jailed for 4 days without judgement and released with no explanation. However, it was later revealed that the former Congolese president's wife, Mrs Olive Lembe Kabila, was behind the arrest because of her association for women's protection against violence and rape. In, 2018 he was ordered for arrest of a photographer in Zambia, he left the country before arrest. In 2019, He was found guilty by a French court of statutory rape of one of his former dancers when she was 15 years old. He was handed a two-year suspended jail sentence in absentia, as he did not attend court in France.

Legacy

Koffi Olomide is among the greatest Congolese and African musical artists of all time. Many artists look up to him for inspiration. President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently appointed him as one of the country's cultural ambassadors.

Discography

Studio albums

* Ngounda (1983, Tchika) * Lady Bo (1984, Goal Productions) * Celya-Ba (1985, Struggling-Man Productions) * Ngobila (1986, Afro Rythmes) * Diva (1986, Espera) * Dieu Voit Tout (1987, self-released) * Rue D'Amour (1987, O'Neill) * Henriquet (1988, Kaluila) * Elle Et Moi (1989, Kaluila) * Les Prisionniers Dorment... (1990, Sonodisc) * Haut De Gamme ''Tcha-Tcho, Echelon Ngomba'': Koweït, Rive Gauche (1992, Tamaris) * Pas De Faux Pas (1992, Quartier Latin album, Tamaris; Sonodisc) * Noblesse Oblige (1993, Sonodisc) * Magie (1994, Quartier Latin album, Sonodisc) * V12 (1995, Sonodisc) * Ultimatum (1997, Quartier Latin, Sonodisc) * Loi (1997, Sonodisc) * Droit De Véto (1998, Quartier Latin album, Sonodisc) * Attentat (1999, Sonodisc) * Force De Frappe (2000, Quartier Latin album, Sonodisc) * Effrakata (2001, Sonodisc) * Affaire D'État (2003, Quartier Latin album, Sonodisc) * Monde Arabe (2004, Sonima) * Danger De Mort (2006, Quartier Latin album, Sonima) * Koffi (also called L'album sans nom or Bord Ezanga Kombo) (2008, Diego Music) * Abracadabra (2012, Rue Stendhal) * Bana Zebola (2015, Koffi Central) * 13ième Apôtre (2015, Koffi Central) * Nyataquance (2017, Koffi Central) Archived a
Ghostarchive
and th
Wayback Machine

Collaborating albums

* 8è Anniversaire (with

, Viva la Musica) (1983, Gillette D'Or) * Aï Aï Aï La Bombe Éclate (with

Rigo Star Rigobert Bamundele, best known as Rigo Star, is an appreciated soukous guitarist and composer from DR Congo, now based in Paris. He has played with several major soukous and world music acts, including Papa Wemba's Viva La Musica, Bozi Boziana ...

) (1987, Mayala) * Glamour (with Duc Hérode) (1993, Air B. Mas Productions) * Wake Up (with

) (1996, Sonodisc) * Sans Rature (with Didier Milla,

Madilu System Jean de Dieu Makiese (28 May 1952 – 11 August 2007), popularly known as Madilu System, was a Congolese rumba singer and songwriter, born in what was then Léopoldville, Belgian Congo. He was once a member of the seminal band TPOK Jazz which dom ...

) (2005, Sun Records)

References

External links

Koffi Olomide joins new political party
As of July 2021.

Koffi Olomide promises fireworks

Koffi Olomide: Congo singer guilty of assault – 16 August 2012
{{DEFAULTSORT:Olomide, Koffi 1956 births Living people Mbaka people People from Kisangani Soukous musicians 20th-century Democratic Republic of the Congo male singers 21st-century Democratic Republic of the Congo male singers Democratic Republic of the Congo songwriters Democratic Republic of the Congo guitarists Quartier Latin International University of Paris alumni