South Africa
Professional Career
Intent on broadening his horizons Koffi set out for South Africa in 1995. On his arrival, he went straight to the Rand Show where he sold shoes. His business done, he set about finding a producer, which was easier said than done.
Recording Contract with Gallo Records Company
Having secured an introduction to Gallo's Geoff Paynter by Doctor Tigger, he then met the respected engineer Lance Longley at Downtown Studios. This led him to Dave Segal and the production of a demo cassette. What finally emerged was his album, Oba Oba, a beautiful song infusing the sounds of Africa from Cairo to Cape Town, from Lagos to Lusaka.
The multilingual Koffi has sprinkled his lyrics with a dash of English, French, Zulu and his native Baoule. The album boasts a South African feel, which is not surprising, as almost 30 local musicians were involved in the project including several who have performed with Paul Simon on his Gracelands album.
Acting
The Cream of Africa
Reeling with excitement from the project, Koffi set about putting together a band to tour and promote his album. Led by Koffi, the apty named Cream of Africa delivered a vibrant stage show playing residencies and festivals across the country and sharing stages with the likes of South African legends such as Hugh Masekela and Sipho Gumede. His major South African festival performances included the 1997 Arts Alive international Festival which also featured Angelique Kidjo, the African Diva and Brazil's Tanya Maria. He also set the stage alight at the Oppikoppi Festival in Easter 1998. The Pretoria News described his performance as "the highlight of the festival. Originally scheduled for two 45 minute sets they ended up playing for over two hours to a crowd that was boogying its socks off and just would not let them off stage".
Koffi's vision of a unified, peaceful and proud Africa was spread through his many radio, television and newspaper interviews which featured in the mainstream South African media.By the end of his four years in South Africa he had become a well-known artist struggling to promote an end to the many injustices brought about by xenophobia and intolerance. In fact, this activity made him the obvious choice for the lead role in the highly acclaimed film:
The Foreigner.
Screened in Milan, Marseille, New York, and Rotterdam and indeed, throughout the world, it is short, hard-hitting film about xenophobia in the heart oh Johannesburg made by local filmmaker Zola Maseko. it played to thunderous applause around the world and won second prize in the short film section at the Festival di Cinema African in Milan, Italy.