Koffi Olomidé is one of the most popular and influential musicians in Africa. He is a singer, dancer, composer, producer and founder of the Quartier Latin International orchestra. He has been making music for over four decades and has won many awards and accolades for his work. He is known for his unique style of soukous, a genre of dance music that blends Congolese rumba with other African and international influences.

In this article, we will explore the life and career of Koffi Olomidé, from his humble beginnings in Kisangani to his global fame and controversies. We will also look at some of his most famous songs and albums, and how he has influenced the music scene in Congo and beyond.

Koffi Olomidé was born Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba on 13 July 1956 in Kisangani, then known as Stanleyville, in the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). His mother named him Koffi because he was born on a Friday. He grew up in a middle-class family, without any musical background. During his youth, he improvised by singing popular songs with his own lyrics and altered rhythms until a neighbor taught him how to play the guitar.

Olomidé was a bright student who earned a scholarship to study in Bordeaux, France, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business economics. He also reportedly holds a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Paris.

Upon his return to Congo in the late 1970s, Olomidé joined his mentor Papa Wemba in his band Viva la Musica, initially as a composer and songwriter, and later as a lead vocalist. He also collaborated with other artists such as King Kester Emeneya and Zaiko Langa Langa. In 1986, he formed his own band called Quartier Latin International, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2006. The band featured many talented singers and musicians, some of whom later became successful solo artists, such as Fally Ipupa, Ferré Gola, Cindy Le Coeur and Bouro Mpela.

Olomidé’s music is characterized by his distinctive voice, catchy melodies, sensual lyrics and energetic dance moves. He sings mainly in Lingala, French and English, but also incorporates other languages such as Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili. He has created several subgenres of soukous, such as tcha-tcho, ndombolo and choc. He has also experimented with other styles such as rumba, salsa, zouk, rap and reggae.

Olomidé has released over 30 albums and sold millions of copies worldwide. Some of his most successful albums include Haut de Gamme: Koweït Rive Gauche (1992), Noblesse Oblige (1993), V12 (1995), Loi (1997), Droit de Veto (1998), Effrakata (2001), Monde Arabe (2004), Bord Ezanga Kombo (2008), Abracadabra (2012) and 13ième Apôtre (2015). He has also recorded several live albums and DVDs at prestigious venues such as Olympia in Paris, Brixton Academy in London and Zénith de Paris.

Olomidé has won several awards and honors for his music, such as four Kora Awards, two MTV Africa Music Awards, two African Muzik Magazine Awards and one Ndule Award. He has also been nominated for a Grammy Award and a BET Award. He has been decorated by several African leaders, such as Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville, Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso and Faure Gnassingbé of Togo. He has also been recognized by international organizations such as UNESCO and UNICEF for his humanitarian work.

Despite his popularity and success, Olomidé has also faced many controversies and scandals throughout his career. He has been accused of various crimes such as rape,