Congolese singer Koffi Olomide, is one of Africa’s best-selling artists. After completing a maths degree in Paris, he moved back home to become one of the continent’s most controversial musical figures, clashing with the ruling regime in Zaire (DRC – Democratic Republic of Congo) and finding his music banned for obscenity in Mali.

Antoine Koffi Olomidé (born August 13, 1956), is a soukous singer, producer, and composer. Born in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo to a Congolese mother and a Sierra Leonean father, Koffi grew up in Kinshasa.

While studying in Paris, he began playing the guitar and writing songs. On his return to Congo he was a member of Viva la Musica, Papa Wemba‘s band. Koffi re-popularized the slower style of soukous, which had fallen out of fashion.

He dubbed this style Tcha Tcho, and it gained popularity outside Congo. Koffi’s music can be quite controversial, taking on current events and topics considered taboo in some conservative societies. He has also participated in the salsa music project Africando. Koffi has won four Kora Awards in South Africa and also won the best artist in central Africa. He is married and the father of four children.

   [Map of DRC-Congo][Enlarge]

Koffi Olomide, also known by a plethora of other names such as Large Degaire, Akram Bourge, Gralibane Maji, Le Grande Mopao, Le Shakespeare Du Zaire, Nkolo Lupemba, Mokonzi etc., is arguably the most talented African singer, producer and composer of the 1990s..

He has dominated music charts across the continent and abroad with a combination of his deep baritone voice, sophisticated arrangements, blending old school rumba and smooth keyboard melodies as well as a searing guitar climax.

His compositions are classy and appeal to a wide spectrum of fans worldwide.

His songs delve deep into a wide variety of topics including love, politics, technology and even religion. In each song he discusses his feelings about such diverse topics while expressing confused feelings about mythical beasts and dream like fantasies.

Names of famous people like Bill Gates, Silvio Berlusconi, Saddam Hussein and even George Weah are mentioned.

Indeed He himself said you have to understand the words to fully appreciate his songs. More so, he has a keen sense of fashion and extensive sapeur wardrobe as well as a personality to match….[ read more here ]