Koffi Olomidé

Koffi Olomidé

• Full name: Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba
• Stage name: Koffi Olomidé
• Born: July 13, 1956 (age 66)
• Place of birth: Kisangani, Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
• Occupation: Singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, and actor
• Genre: Soukous, rumba, ndombolo
• Years active: 1976–present
• Labels: Koffi Central, Sony Music, JPS Production

Biography

Koffi Olomidé was born in Kisangani, Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) on July 13, 1956. He began his musical career in the early 1970s, and in 1976, he formed the band Quartier Latin International. The band quickly became one of the most popular soukous bands in Africa, and Olomidé became known for his energetic live performances and his distinctive voice.

In the 1980s, Olomidé began to release solo albums, and he quickly became one of the most popular African musicians in the world. He has released over 30 albums, and he has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Olomidé has also won numerous awards, including the Kora Award for Best Male Artist in Africa in 1998 and 2002.

In addition to his music career, Olomidé has also appeared in several films, including "La Vie est Belle" (1987), "Macadam Tribu" (1990), and "Les Yeux du Cœur" (1997). He has also been involved in politics, and he ran for president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2018.

Controversies

Olomidé has been involved in several controversies throughout his career. In 2002, he was accused of assaulting a journalist, and he was sentenced to three years in prison. However, the sentence was later overturned on appeal. In 2009, he was accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl, and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, the sentence was again overturned on appeal.

In 2016, Olomidé was banned from performing in Kenya after he was accused of kicking a female dancer. He was also banned from performing in France in 2018 after he was accused of sexual assault.

Personal life

Olomidé has been married three times. He has four children with his first wife, Annie Kabatusuila, and two children with his second wife, Awa Djité. He is currently married to Alima Diarra.

Discography

• Studio albums:
  • 1981: Ngounda
  • 1983: Diva
  • 1986: Magie
  • 1988: Haut de Gamme/Koweit Rive Gauche
  • 1991: Pas de Faux Pas
  • 1993: Noblesse Oblige
  • 1995: Wake Up
  • 1997: Loi
  • 1998: Droit Chemin
  • 2000: Force de Frappe
  • 2002: Effrakata
  • 2004: Monde Arabe
  • 2006: Danger de Mort
  • 2008: Koffi Central
  • 2010: Abracadabra
  • 2012: Tout Ça N'est Pas Moi
  • 2015: 13ème Apôtre
  • 2018: Légende
• Live albums:
  • 1984: Quartier Latin en Public
  • 1987: Koffi Olomidé en Concert
  • 1990: Ultimatum
  • 1994: Zénith 94
  • 1999: Live 2000
  • 2003: Bercy 2003
  • 2007: Stade de France 2007
  • 2011: Olympia 2011
  • 2014: Palais des Congrès 2014
• Compilation albums:
  • 1992: The Best of Koffi Olomidé
  • 1996: The Very Best of Koffi Olomidé
  • 2000: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Koffi Olomidé
  • 2003: The Rough Guide to Koffi Olomidé
  • 2007: The Ultimate Collection: The Best of Koffi Olomidé