Ivory Coast
Born in the center of Ivory Coast (West Africa), Gervais Koffi grew up in Abidjan, the capital city, where he finished with succes his diploma in commerce in 1991.
Holy Guys
But before then 1987 saw him teaming up with the Holy Guys.His interaction with his band seems to be one of the most exciting periods of his career. But as he says : "my creativity was stifled because we were not composing, but mainly playing some cover version."
His love for music was as strong as ever and outweighed the security of the commercial world.
In the village called "Nikissaf"
Kangalet
Mewlessels
Kangalet (translation : tiger) became yet another haven within which he took refuge. Packing his bags for the gliterring lights of Abidjan, the capital city of Ivory Coast, seemd to have been the right move.
The smoke filled, dim lit bars of the Golf Hotel with its cosmopolitan content, held unexplored and challenging possibilities for the inimitable Koffi.
For the first time, he reveled in the endless pleasures of successful musicians. Although he had it good in many ways, his was not a vision shared by the other band members. Once again he parted ways with the band in 1995.
Famous for being the crossroads of music encounters, Abidjan did not let Koffi down. It was while he was performing one of Ismael Lo's songs, that he was heard by the film director wos was working with him. He was so excited, he brought Ismael to listen to Koffi's rendition of one of his songs. So taken was Ismael that not only did they sing a duet but he immediately signe Koffi to back and appear with him in the AIDS film he was starring in - Afrique mon Afrique (Africa my Africa). "This was one of the highlights of my career".
His sojourn with the Holy Guys lasted until 1990 when he joined the Mewlessels. Although he'd made a move, musically he felt that he hadn't grown as he was still doing cover versions. He left them in 1992.
Basilica : Notre Dame de la Paix