Koffi Olomide

Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba (born on July 13, 1956), known professionally as Koffi Olomidé, is a Congolese soukous singer, dancer, producer, lyricist, composer, and bandleader. He is the founder of Quartier Latin International, which includes prominent artists like Fally Ipupa and Ferré Gola. With numerous gold records, he is widely known for his flamboyant style and dynamic stage presence. Emerging as a lyricist for various luminaries within the Congolese music industry, he gained prominence in 1977 with the release of "Princesse ya Synza," a trio featuring Papa Wemba and King Kester Emeneya. In 1986, he established and directed the Quartier Latin International, which accompanied him on stage and in producing his albums since 1992, serving as a launching pad for emerging music stars, including Fally Ipupa, Jipson Butukondolo, Deo Brondo, Montana Kamenga, Bouro Mpela, Ferré Gola, Marie-Paul Kambulu, Eldorado Claude, Djuna Fa Makengele, Soleil Wanga, Laudy Demingongo Plus-Plus, Éric Tutsi, and among others. His career experienced a resurgence in 1990 when he signed with Sonodisc. Revered as a legend in Congolese and African music, with a career spanning nearly five decades, he is the first black African artist to fill the Bercy Arena and one of the 12 African musicians featured in the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die for his album Haut de Gamme. Throughout his forty-year career, Agbepa has recorded 28 studio albums, including seven under the Latin Quarter banner, one in collaboration with Papa Wemba, and 18 live albums, amounting to an extensive repertoire of over 300 songs. He has won seven Kora Awards, including an illustrious quartet during the 2002 KORA Awards edition for his album Effrakata, encompassing the awards for Best Male Artist of Central Africa, Best Video of Africa, Best Arrangement of Africa, and the Jury Special Award. In 2013, he launched his label, Koffi Central. He released 13ième apôtre on October 13, 2015, a quadruple album comprising forty songs, which he proclaimed to be his final album before later resurfaced with Nyataquance and Légende Édition Diamond.