Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, popularly known as Koffi Olomidé, is a celebrated Congolese musician whose career spans over five decades. He is widely acclaimed for his contributions to soukous and rumba music and is recognized as one of Africa’s most influential artists.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba |
| Date of birth | July 13, 1956 |
| Place of birth | Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Nationality | Congolese |
| Partner | Cindy Le Coer |
| Children | Nzau, Elvis, Minou, Didi, Rocky, Del, Saint |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, dancer, producer, composer, arranger |
| Record labels | Koffi Central, Editions Kaluila, SonoDisc, Gefraco, Tamaris |
| Net worth | $5 million |
Early Life and Education
Born in Kisangani, DRC, Koffi Olomidé was raised in a middle-class family that valued education highly. His mother named him after the day of the week he was born, Friday.
Demonstrating early musical talent, he was encouraged by neighbors to develop his skills on the guitar. Alongside his passion for music, he excelled academically, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from Bordeaux University and a master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Paris.
Career
Koffi started his music journey in the 1970s, initially working as a songwriter for Papa Wemba’s band Viva La Musica. He launched his solo career in the early 1980s, gaining prominence with his 1983 debut album Ngounda.
In 1986, he founded the influential band Quartier Latin. His distinctive slower style of soukous called “Tcha Tcho” became widely popular during the 1990s, along with hits like Henriquet and Elle et Moi.
Over the years, he has released numerous albums, earned multiple awards including the prestigious KORA Awards, and is credited with shaping modern African music through his innovative sound and charisma.
Personal Life
Koffi Olomidé has been married three times and is a father to several children from different relationships. His first marriage was to Marianne Makosso, with whom he had two children. He later married Stephanie Godee, his second wife, and together they had three children.
In the early 1990s, Koffi began a relationship with Aliane Olomidé, a former French model. They married in Paris on April 15, 1994, and had three children together, including their daughter Didi-Stone Naïke who is a notable fashion model and social influencer.
After 27 years of marriage, the couple’s relationship deteriorated amid rumors of Koffi’s infidelities, particularly involving his longtime band collaborator Cindy Le Coeur.
Aliane filed for divorce in 2021, and their separation was finalized the following year in 2022. Since then, Koffi has publicly confirmed his commitment to Cindy Le Coeur, declaring her as his true partner. This family situation has caused tension, with Didi-Stone publicly siding with her mother and distancing herself from her father and Cindy.
Controversies
Despite his musical success, Koffi’s career has faced controversy, including legal issues such as his infamous 2012 incident in Kenya where he assaulted a female dancer on stage, resulting in his expulsion from the country.
He has been involved in other disputes and contested accusations, which have sparked public debate about his character.
Koffi Olomide Net Worth
Thanks to his extensive musical catalog, live performances, and production ventures, Koffi Olomidé’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.
Selected Discography
- Ngounda (1983)
- Henriquet (1988)
- Elle et Moi (1989)
- Les prisonniers dorment… (1990)
- Haut de Gamme (1992)
- V12 (1995)
- Effrakata (2001)
- Le Monde Arabe, Vol. 1 (2004)
- Danger de Mort (2006)
- Abracadabra (2012)
- 13ième Apôtre (2015)
- Nyataquance (2017)
Awards and Nominations
- Best Male Singer and Best Video Clip at African Music Awards (1992)
- Four KORA Awards in 2002 for Effrakata (Best Male Artist, Best Album, Best Songwriter, Best Music Video)
- Multiple accolades throughout his career recognizing his influence and musical excellence
