Kiff No Beat Biography: Formation, Ethnicity, Awards, Members, Songs, Net Worth, Age, Record Labels

Kiff No Beat is a pioneering Ivorian hip-hop and trap group from Abidjan, widely seen as one of the key collectives that revived and modernised rap ivoire in a scene long dominated by coupé-décalé.

Emerging in 2009 from the fusion of two neighbourhood crews, they created an unapologetically street-rooted sound that mixed U.S. trap, local slang, heavy bass and dance-floor energy.

From winning the televised Faya Flow rap contest to becoming the first group signed to Universal Music Africa, Kiff No Beat built a movement as much as a band—complete with dancers, a live band, and an army of young fans copying their clothes, hand signs and catchphrases.

Profile

• Group Name: Kiff No Beat
• Also Known As (Aliases): 5 Loups, Les Daltons, KNB, Ki2f
• Country of Origin: Côte d’Ivoire
• City of Origin: Abidjan
• Genres: Ivorian hip-hop, trap, afrotrap, R&B, Dirty Décalé
• Years Active: 2009 – present
• Core Members (5 Loups): Black K (Gnahoré Okou Camille) – rap .Didi B (Bassa Zéréhoué Diyilem) – rap Elow’n (N’wolé Brice) – rap .El Jay (Konan Franck Guy Maré) – R&B / rap Joochar (Kouakou Jonathan Charley) – dancehall / rap
• Labels: Da Carmen Produzione, Universal Music Africa, Island Africa, Overcom Music, 13 Records

Origins of the Group

Before Kiff No Beat, there were two separate crews in Abidjan:

• KNB (Kiff No Beat / KNB crew): Black K, Elow’n and Didi B were already rapping together, recording rough tracks for friends and performing at local sound systems around Riviera 2.
• Jekboyz: A duo made up of Joochar and El Jay, working a more dancehall and R&B-leaning sound.

In 2009, the two crews fused to form the 5-man squad Kiff No Beat, an invitation—through their name—for people to “kiffer” (enjoy) the music and really pay attention to their lyrics, lifestyle, and on-stage performances.

Members

• Black K – Often described as one of the rawest voices of the group, bringing punchy street rap and melodic hooks. Real name Gnahoré Okou Camille, he became a central figure in solo trap and club records after the group’s breakout.
• Didi B – Charismatic rapper with a sharp, playful flow and strong fashion sense. Under his solo name Didi B Mojaveli, he built the Africa Mindset / 92i Africa connection and became one of francophone Africa’s most visible hip-hop artists.
• Elow’n – Brice N’wolé, lyricist and rapper whose storytelling touches everything from humour to social commentary. Besides his solo career, he created La Bia Festival in his home region, drawing thousands of fans yearly.
• El Jay – Singer-rapper bringing R&B and melodic hooks, standing out with his voice and harmonies inside the harder trap textures.
• Joochar – Dancehall-influenced energy of the group, known for catchy refrains, ad-libs, and a strong stage presence that connects quickly with the crowd.

Career & Breakthrough

• 2009: Kiff No Beat officially forms in Abidjan from the fusion of KNB and Jekboyz. They start performing in small venues and neighbourhood events, refining a sound that mixes rap, dancehall, R&B and local rhythms.
• 2010: They enter Faya Flow, a national hip-hop contest sponsored by Orange Côte d’Ivoire and JACH. Winning the competition gives them their first big TV exposure and a solid teenage fan base.
• 2011: The group releases its first album Cadeau de Noël, recorded as a gift to the country after the difficult political crisis of 2010. Its launch at Village Ki-Yi in Abidjan draws a packed crowd.

2012–2014: Mixtapes, Street Anthems & “Tu es dans pain”

In 2012, the mixtape Jackson Five, a 23-track hip-hop project was released. The mixtape showcased their lyrical range and hunger. Singles like “Courant est coupé,” “Groupie,” “Si j’étais lui” and others circulate heavily in clubs and on YouTube.

In 2014, songs such as “Anita” and “Tu es dans pain” become massive street hits across Côte d’Ivoire and the francophone diaspora, officially putting Kiff No Beat on the continental rap map.

2014–2016: Building an Empire:

Album like Pétards d’ados (2014) and mixtapes like Cubisme (2015) were released defining their image as the rebellious voice of Ivorian youth—mixing humour, shock lines and serious commentary.

Hits like “La vie de Louga,” “Gor la montagne,” “Ça gâte cœur” and “Sauront jamais” spread across West Africa, often accompanied by viral dance routines.

In 2017, Kiff No Beat becomes the first rap group signed to Universal Music Africa, confirming their status as a flagship act for francophone West African hip-hop.

They release projects like Made in Bled (2018) and Blédard is the New Fresh (2019), playing with the idea of the “blédard” (person from the homeland) as something stylish and aspirational, not backward.

Videos like “C’est pas pareil,” “Made in Bled,” “Ce n’est pas bon,” “Yahh,” “Yaka dormir” keep their visuals as important as the music, full of fashion, humour and Abidjan street culture.

Around 2020–2021, each member leans heavily into solo careers, sparking rumours of a permanent split. Interviews with Elow’n and others insist the “5 loups” are still a family, exploring individual paths.

The group experiments with new sounds like amapiano on tracks such as “C Komen ?”, even coining the term “ivoirepiano” for their local twist.

In 2024, they announce a major comeback, sharing studio footage of Didi B, Black K, Elow’n, El Jay and Joochar working together on a new album—confirming that Kiff No Beat as a group is very much alive.

Social Media

• YouTube: Kiff No Beat

Personal Life

Unlike many Western boy bands, Kiff No Beat’s image is less about individual gossip and more about collective identity, but a few things are public:

Elow’n is married and runs La Bia Festival in his hometown area, celebrating Ivorian music and culture.

Didi B, Black K, El Jay, Joochar all maintain individual brands—fashion, streetwear, solo albums—while frequently reassuring fans that “la famille KNB” remains united.

Specific details like partners, children or home addresses are mostly kept private.

Net Worth

Kiff No Beat now has an estimated net worth of at least $10 million.

Discography

Studio Albums:

• Cadeau de Noël (2011)
• Pétards d’ados (2014)
• Cubisme (2015, mixtape)
• Traptitionnel (2016)
• Made in Bled (2018)
• Blédard is the New Fresh (2019)

Singles:

• Courant est coupé
• Groupie (feat. Tya Vuitton)
• Si j’étais lui
• Tia BlackBerry
• Ne pars pas
• Fin du monde
• Samusement
• Halloween
• Shooto
• Requins
• Tu es dans pain
• Anita
• Ça met trop dans bon
• La belle vie (remix)
• Ca gâte cœur
• Ils ont dit
• La vie de Louga
• Ma Côte d’Ivoire (feat. Dobet Gnahoré)
• Approchez regardez (feat. DJ Arafat)
• Téléphone (feat. Shado Chris)
• Éléphants
• Pourquoi tu dab?
• Pause (feat. Dadju)
• C’est pas pareil (feat. Sidiki Diabaté)
• C Komen ? (amapiano / ivoirepiano era