Koffi Olomide

Koffi Olomide is a Congolese soukous singer, dancer, producer, and composer who was inspired by the music of Tabu Ley Rochereau and began playing guitar and composing songs while still in his teens.

World Music Singer

July 13, 1956

68

Koffi Olomide, a Congolese singer, songwriter, dancer, and producer, is renowned for pioneering the soukous genre and creating numerous hits like “Loi,” “Abacadabra,” and “Selfie.” He has collaborated with various African and international artists, selling over 10 million copies of his albums and winning multiple awards, including the Kora Awards for Best African Artist in 1998 and 1999. Some of his other notable works and collaborations include “Effrakata,” “Moussoukou Soukou,” and “Danger de Mort.”

Influenced by Tabu Ley Rochereau’s music, Olomide began playing guitar and composing songs in his teens. After obtaining a math degree from the University of Paris, he returned to Congo in the late ’70s and joined Papa Wemba’s band, Viva La Musica, as a songwriter and vocalist. In 1986, he founded Quartier Latin, a band featuring prominent artists like Fally Ipupa and Ferré Gola. Some of his most popular works include the album “V12” and the hit song “Andrada,” as well as albums like “Effrakata” and “Moussoukou Soukou.” Olomide’s contributions to African music have established him as one of the genre’s most influential and successful artists.