DJ Arafat

Ange Didier Houon (26 January 1986 – 12 August 2019), known professionally as DJ Arafat and various other stage names, was an Ivorian disc jockey and singer who made music in the Coupé-Décalé genre. The word "coupé-décalé" came from a traditional dance in the Ivory Coast. "Jonathan", "202", "Dosabado", "Kpangor", "Zoropoto" and "Enfant Beni" were some of his major hits. Dj Arafat's impact reached beyond Africa, especially after he gained a following in France. His performances there in the mid-2000s helped him cultivate an international fanbase and contributed to his reputation as an African music ambassador. He was the son of , a popular singer, and the deceased musician and sound engineer, Pierre Houon.

He was considered one of the most popular African artists in Francophone countries around the world.

He released 11 music albums primarily in the popular "Coupé-Décalé" dance music style, This genre of music incorporates fast percussion, deep bass and hip-hop-style vocals. Arafat became the symbol of the flashy well-dressed lifestyle which is associated with the music. His song 'Dosabado' is one of his most popular hits. He liked motorcycles and also featured them in his recent hit 'Moto Moto' released in May 2019. His motorcycle was said to have collided with a car in the Angre neighborhood on Sunday, 11 August 2019. He was subsequently admitted to a hospital in Abidjan for a skull fracture before eventually dying at around 8:00a.m. UTC on 12 August 2019.

After the news of his death spread, around 1,000 of his fans assembled in Cocody suburb near the hospital where he died, and mourned his death chanting "Arafat cannot die". After his burial, some fans exhumed his grave after a rumor sufficed that his body was given to cult members. A crowd of his fans also gathered around his house singing some of his hits. Maurice Kouakou Bandaman, the Ivorian Culture Minister, condoled his death and a tribute was held in his honour.

Selected discography

Singles (partial) Kpangor Zropoto Boudha Djessimidjeka Agbangnan 2016 : " Approchez Regardez" 2017 : "Enfant béni" 2018 : "Dosabado" 2019 : "Moto Moto" 2020 : "Kong"

Tours