Kofi Olomide’s Early Life
Koffi Olomidé born Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, was born July 13, 1956, in Kisangani in the Democratic Republic Of Congo. Koffi Olomidé has two brothers and two sisters; he also had a younger brother who died in the 90s. He is a singer-songwriter and producer who discovered African stars, like Fally Ipupa and Ferre Gola. In 2013, he launched his label, Koffi Central after becoming a lyricist. Koffi collaborated with other musical geniuses like Papa Wemba and King Kester Emeneya. He is considered a legend in the African and Congolese music industry
Becoming A Musician
Koffi Olomidé graduated in commercial sciences in 1980 in Europe because he could not secure a job. Papa Wemba was his stepping stone to fame. His first real Ngounda album was released in 1983, and recorded in Brussels, Belgium. The album was recorded with better quality than N’djoli, in a more modern studio, Olomidé says this was his first real experience in a professional studio. The album met with mixed success, but Koffi did it again a year later with Lady Bo with the participation of King Kester Emeneya.
Koffi Olomidé’s Music Career
It was in 1985 that Koffi’s career was launched with the release of the album Diva. An album worked by the arranger Rigo Bamundélé known as “Rigo Star”. Koffi Olomidé declares that Tcha Tcho (also called Soukous Love), his music style is for young girls (Tcha Tcho, pona yo mwana mwasi). He participated in two collaborative albums: Olomidé and Yakini Kiese and Olomidé and Fafa de Molokaï.
In his forty years of a music career, Koffi Olomidé has recorded at least 28 studio albums, including seven signed with the Latin Quarter, one in collaboration with Papa Wemba, and 18 live albums with more than 300 songs. His work has rewarded him with 6 Kora Awards, including four during the 2002 edition, thanks to his album Effrakata. On October 13, 2015, he released 13th Apostle, a quadruple album of forty songs which he declared to be the last album of his career. On the same day, the clip for the song Selfie was released, which had great success on social networks and more than 10 million views on YouTube.
Koffi Olomide’s Personal Life
Koffi Olomidé was married thrice. His first wife was Marianne Makosso, they had two children: Aristotle, his eldest son, and Minou, his first daughter. His next three children (Rocky, Diego, and Karine) he had with Stephanie (Godee). He has been with his current wife since 1990. They have three children: Didi Stone Nike, Del Pirlo Mourinho, and Saint James Rolls. His wife, Aliane, and their three children live in Paris.
Albums
In 38 years of a solo career, Koffi Olomidé has produced twenty-six albums, including seven with his group Quartier Latin, an album in collaboration with Papa Wemba.
1979: Ba la Joie
1983: Ngounda
1985: Diva
1986: Ngobila
1988: Henriquet
1989: She and Me
1990: Tcha Tcho (compilation)
1990: The Prisoners are sleeping
1991: Golden Star in Stéphie
1992: Top of the range/Kuwait, left bank
1992: No faux pas (from the Latin Quarter)
1993: Noblesse oblige
1994: Magic (from the Latin Quarter)
1995: V12
1996: Wake Up, with Papa Wemba
1997: Ultimatum (from the Latin Quarter)
1997: Law
1998: Right of veto (from the Latin Quarter)
1999: Attack
2000: Strike Force (from the Latin Quarter)
2001: Effrakata
2003: State affair (of the Latin Quarter)
2004: Arab World
2005: Boma Nga N’elengi (maxi-single)
2006: Danger of death (from the Latin Quarter)
2006: SWI Hot Chocolate (maxi-single)
2008: Bord Ezanga Kombo
2009: Papa’s Chicotte
2012: Abracadabra
2017: Nyataquance
2018: Supremacy (from the Latin Quarter)
Read about about his protege Fally Ipupa here.
