Audio By Carbonatix
Ivory Coast's DJ Arafat, a well-known singer in French-speaking Africa, has died following a traffic accident, state broadcaster RTI is reporting.
He was admitted to hospital in the main city, Abidjan, with a fractured skull after his motorcycle collided with a car on Sunday, Jeune Afrique says.
The 33-year-old died early on Monday.
He has been referred to as the "king" of coupé-décalé dance music and one of his biggest hit songs, Dosabado, has over five million views on YouTube.
The singer was also known for his love of motorcycles and featured them in his most recent hit, Moto Moto, that was released in May, which has more than four million YouTube views.
Ivory Coast Culture Minister Maurice Kouakou Bandaman has expressed his condolences in a statement and said a tribute would be organised to honour the musician.
Fellow artists have also been sharing their condolences, including Nigerian star Davido and fellow Ivorian rapper Kaaris.
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionIn 2016 and 2017 DJ Arafat was named artist of the year at the Coupé-Decalé Awards
DJ Arafat, whose real name was Ange Didier Huon, was named best artist of the year at the Coupé-Decalé Awards in 2016 and 2017.
Coupé-decalé (meaning "cut and run") was born in the early 2000s during Ivory Coast's civil war and emphasised that young people still wanted to have fun despite the conflict, reports the BBC's Hatouma Diarra from Abidjan.
DJ Arafat came to symbolise the flashy well-dressed lifestyle associated with the music, which features fast percussion, deep bass and hip-hop-style vocals.
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionIn 2016 and 2017 DJ Arafat was named artist of the year at the Coupé-Decalé Awards
DJ Arafat, whose real name was Ange Didier Huon, was named best artist of the year at the Coupé-Decalé Awards in 2016 and 2017.
Coupé-decalé (meaning "cut and run") was born in the early 2000s during Ivory Coast's civil war and emphasised that young people still wanted to have fun despite the conflict, reports the BBC's Hatouma Diarra from Abidjan.
DJ Arafat came to symbolise the flashy well-dressed lifestyle associated with the music, which features fast percussion, deep bass and hip-hop-style vocals.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Zelensky says peace deal is 90% ready in New Year address
58 minutes -
Fireworks, faith, and flashlight vigils usher in 2026 across Ghana
2 hours -
Mahama calls for prosperity, peace and progress in New Year Message
3 hours -
Côte d’Ivoire stun Gabon with last-minute 3–2 thriller to top Group F
5 hours -
Ho zongo community slams REGSEC over two-week mosque closure
6 hours -
AFCON Round of 16: Senegal, DR Congo win big to advance
6 hours -
Tema police foil armed robbery attempt at Afienya; Four suspects killed
6 hours -
Two dead, two in custody over fatal family land feud
7 hours -
Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital after fatal road crash
7 hours -
Trump media firm to issue new cryptocurrency to shareholders
7 hours -
Ebo Noah arrested over failed Christmas apocalypse and public panic
9 hours -
‘Ghana’s democracy must never be sacrificed for short-term politics’ – Bawumia
9 hours -
Bawumia congratulates Mahama but warns he “cannot afford to fail Ghanaians”
9 hours -
CICM backs BoG’s microfinance sector reform programme; New Year Debt Recovery School comes off January-February 2026
9 hours -
GIPC Boss urges diaspora to invest remittances into productive ventures
9 hours
