DJ Arafat Biography: Girlfriend, Age, Parents, Ethnicity, Religion, Net Worth, Accident, Songs, Death

DJ Arafat, born Ange Didier Houon, was a celebrated Ivorian disc jockey, singer, songwriter, and producer who revolutionized the Coupé-Décalé genre.

Renowned for his boundless energy, electrifying performances, and magnetic stage presence, he became one of Africa’s most influential contemporary musicians. His hits such as “Jonathan,” “Zoropoto,” and “Moto Moto” turned him into a cultural icon and earned him enduring respect across Francophone Africa.

Profile

• Full name: Ange Didier Houon
• Nickname: DJ Arafat, “Yôrôbô,” “Daïshikan,” “Zeus d’Afrique,” “Commandant Zabra”
• Date of birth: 26 January 1986
• Age: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Yopougon, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
• State of origin: Abidjan District
• Nationality: Ivorian
• Profession: Disc jockey, singer, songwriter, record producer, choreographer
• Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
• Weight: 74 kg (approx.)
• Eye colour: Dark brown
• Hair colour: Black (often dyed blond or red for performances)
• Parents: Father – Pierre Houon “Wompi” (musician and engineer); Mother – Tina Glamour (née Valentine Logbo, Ivorian singer)
• Siblings: Armand Stéphane Houon (alias TV3 DJ), Séverin Houon, Marie-Emmanuelle Houon, Yves Raymond Houon, Franck Olivier Prince Houon, Carla Keke
• Spouse: Unmarried (was in a long-term relationship with Carmen Sama)
• Children: Five – Lachoina, Ézéchiel, Maël, Owen, Rafna
• Relationship status: Deceased (formerly partnered with Carmen Sama)
• Religion: Christian (raised Catholic, later non-denominational Christian)
• Ethnicity: Guéré & Agni (father); Bété & Gouro (mother)
• Net worth: USD $4 million

Early Life and Education

Ange Didier Houon was born on 26 January 1986 in Yopougon, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Coming from a family steeped in music, he was surrounded by rhythm and creativity from childhood. His father, Pierre Houon “Wompi,” was a musician and sound engineer, while his mother, Tina Glamour, was an established singer in Abidjan’s entertainment circuit.

DJ Arafat began DJing at Le Shangaï nightclub in Yopougon around age 14, quickly earning a reputation for his charisma and crowd control. Though details about his formal schooling remain limited, his practical experience in clubs became his musical education. His early exposure to zouglou and dancehall influences shaped his unique Coupé-Décalé sound.

Personal Life

DJ Arafat lived a flamboyant and public life. He had five children from four different mothers, including his youngest daughter Rafna, with influencer Carmen Sama, his most publicly known partner. Despite controversies surrounding his relationships, he was deeply devoted to his children and often mentioned them in interviews.

Arafat was also close to his mother, Tina Glamour, though their relationship experienced ups and downs due to his lifestyle. Known for his generosity, he supported fellow musicians and fans through financial help and mentorship.

Career

DJ Arafat’s professional rise began in the early 2000s when Coupé-Décalé dominated Ivorian clubs. His 2003 hit “Hommage à Jonathan” paid tribute to the late DJ Jonathan, one of the pioneers of the genre, and made him a household name in Côte d’Ivoire.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Arafat became a defining force in African music. His singles such as “Femmes,” “Dosabado,” “Kpankaka,” “Moto Moto,” and “Zoropoto” blended rapid percussive beats, dynamic arrangements, and crowd-chant hooks.

He founded his label Yôrôbô Music and introduced visual choreography and digital marketing into Coupé-Décalé, modernizing it for a younger audience. His stage names—“Zeus d’Afrique” and “Commandant Zabra”—symbolized his dominance in the scene.

In 2018, he released his final album, Renaissance, showcasing a matured sound and featuring collaborations with artists from Congo, France, and Cameroon. His posthumous influence continues through protégés like Ariel Sheney and Debordo Leekunfa, as well as through the fan community “La Chine Populaire” (The Arafat Nation).

Awards and Nominations

• 2016: Coupé-Décalé Awards – Best Male Artist
• 2016: Coupé-Décalé Awards – Artist of the Year
• 2017: MTV Africa Music Awards – Best Francophone Artist (Nominee)
• 2018: AFRIMMA – Best African Dance Artist (Nominee)
• 2019: Officer of the Ivorian Order of Cultural Merit (Officier dans l’Ordre du Mérite Culturel Ivoirien)

Net Worth

At the time of his death in 2019, DJ Arafat’s net worth was estimated at approximately USD $4 million. His income came from: Album sales and streaming, international concert tours across Africa, France, and Canada, brand endorsements, music production and event promotions under his Yôrôbô Music label etc.

Death

In the early morning hours of 12 August 2019, DJ Arafat tragically passed away following a motorcycle accident in the Angré neighborhood of Abidjan. He reportedly collided with a car on the night of 11 August and succumbed to his injuries at the Polyclinique des Deux Plateaux hospital.

The news of his death sparked an outpouring of grief across Africa. Tens of thousands attended his funeral at Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium on 30 August 2019, making it one of the largest public gatherings in Ivorian history. His fans refer to him posthumously as “Le Roi du Coupé-Décalé” (“The King of Coupé-Décalé”).

Social Media

• YouTube: DJ ARAFAT OFFICIAL

Filmography

• Le Roi du Coupé-Décalé (2015) – Documentary on his life and rise in Ivorian music
• Arafat Forever (2020) – Posthumous tribute documentary produced by RTI Côte d’Ivoire
• Moto Moto: The Legend of Arafat (2022) – Biographical film recounting his career and legacy

Discography

• Goudron Noir (2003)
• Femmes (2005)
• Don de Dieu (2009)
• Gladiator (2010)
• Faisons la Fête (2011)
• Baisboula Areguédé (2012)
• Kpankaka (2012)
• Chebeler (2013)
• Yorogang Vol. 1 (2013)
• Yorogang Vol. 2 (2013)
• Yorogang (2017)
• Renaissance (2018)
• Moto Moto (2019, posthumous single)

Books

• DJ Arafat: Le Roi du Coupé-Décalé (2021) – Biography by journalist Patrick N’Guessan chronicling his life, artistry, and cultural influence
• La Chine Populaire: Héritage d’un Roi (2022) – Book by fan collective exploring his legacy and impact on African youth