Africa mourns coupé-décalé star DJ Arafat

The 33-year-old DJ and producer, whose real name was Ange Didier Houon, died in a road accident that occurred the previous night, state broadcaster RTI said on Monday.

Video footage and pictures circulating online suggest that Arafat hit a car while driving a motorbike. He was rushed to an Abidjan hospital and admitted with a broken skull and brain swelling. Thousands of fans gathered in front of the hospital in shock and disbelief.

Ivorian Minister of Culture Maurice Bandaman expressed his condolences and said a tribute would be held to honour the musician.

"We recognise his great contribution to Ivorian music and Ivorian culture in general...Gone too soon," Bandaman told TV5Monde.

News of Arafat's death have sparked an outpouring of grief on social media from fellow artists and celebrities.

"Where do you start on DJ Arafat's impact on Ivorian music and African pop culture? From the sound to the dance steps to the use of social media, to how he deeply connected with the masses. First, is he dead? I am in denial," popular media personality Paola Audrey tweeted.

"He lived like a shooting star," Magic System member Salif 'Asalfo' Traoré wrote of Facebook. "In the Zouglou style, internationally, there is Magic System. In coupé-décalé, it was DJ Arafat."

Nigerian musician J Martins, who collaborated with Arafat on his 2016 hit song 'Touchin Body', tweeted: "Very sad news this afternoon. The King is dead. RIP my brother my friend DJ Arafat, this is a very big loss for all of Africa."

Huon was born in Abijan to a family of musicians. He found fame in the early 2000s as a DJ in Yopougon, one of Abidjan's nightlife districts. He went on to release 11 albums, mainly in the fast-paced coupé-décalé genre, which draws influences from zouglou, zouk and hip hop.

Arafat was signed to Universal Music Group at the time of his untimely death. Some of his well-known songs include 'Kpangor', 'Djessimideka', 'Dosabado', 'Hommage a Jonathan' and 'Moto Moto'.

Ironically, 'Hommage a Jonathan', one of Arafat's earliest hits, pays tribute to his friend who died in a motorcycle accident. His latest single, 'Moto Moto', released in May, is about his passion for powerful motorbikes.

Arafat won the Best African Artist of the Year and the Best Male Artist in West Africa awards at the 2012 Kora All Africa Music Awards. He won the Best Artist of the Year at the Coupé-Decalé Awards in 2016 and 2017

He survived by his wife and two children.