Koffi Olomide, although born in Kisangani, grew up in Kinshasa
where he was exposed to the music of
Tabu Ley Rochereau of whom he was a huge admirer.
He had the opportunity to study physics in Bordeaux but his passion for music remained.
During summer holidays when he was in Kinshasa, he recorded his first songs in the Veve studios and he composed
songs for other artists. He also worked with
Zaiko Langa Langa and
Viva la Musica.
In 1983 he recorded
« Ngounda » in Belgium and this was his
first success in his own name. In 1986, he created
Quartier Latin, the group which is still
surrounding Koffi, although not with the original band members. At several occasions, members left
after artistic differences and disputes about money. One of those defections lead to the creation of
Quartier Latin Academia in the late 1990s.
Around 1992, his stardom has risen beyond Congo and even beyond Africa. Koffi was known in the 1980s as a singer/composer
of very sweet and mellow rumba and soukous, generally referred to as
Tcha Tcho. As the 1990s saw the coming of harder hitting and more up-tempo music, the ndombolo,
Olomide searched to adopt new styles too, although Tchatcho remained his signature style. New rhythms such as the
Ndombolo were introduced on the
« Loi » album. Until now, he has a large female audience who are attracted by his sweet
songs, the male public probably prefer to admire the female dancers...
• Musicians on the album Affaire d'Etat (2002/2003):
- Vocals :
Lola Dindo,
Fally Ipupa,
Montana Kamenga,
Geco Bouro Mpela,
Deo Brando Muyinga,
Gibson Butukondolo,
Roi Soleil Wanga,
Brigade Rwinga,
Kerozene Koloyi Eyale,
Koffi Olomide
- Drums :
Grand Cadre Titina Mbwinga,
Ministre Cambodge Makambo
- Percussion :
Nseka Kudifelela,
Grand Cadre Titina Mbwinga,
Digital Lola Dindo
- Guitar :
Fofo le Collègien Vangu,
Rama Ramazani Fulutuni,
Tyson Felly Dimbedi Mumba
- Bass :
Binda Bass