This archive report was first published on 2 September 2019.
On Saturday, 31 August, thousands of fans gathered in Ivory Coast's capital Abidjan to pay tribute to the late music icon DJ Arafat, whose real name was Ange Didier Huon.
President Alassane Ouattara led the tribute concert, which attracted some heavyweights in the African music scene, including Fally Ipupa, Maître Gims, Davido, Sidiki Diabaté, and Koffi Olomide.
The ceremony was broadcast on radio and TV, and additional screens were set up outside the packed stadium. An online petition had called on the government to allow the use of Félix Houphouët Boigny stadium, which seats 35,000 people.
The Ivorian government also gave Sh2.5 million towards the event and said it would pay for his funeral ceremony.
As one of the most popular African musicians in the Francophone world, DJ Arafat was referred to as the 'king' of coupé-décalé, an Ivorian form of dance music created by Douk Saga in Paris in the early 2000s.
With its suggestive dance moves and emphasis on flashy lifestyles, coupé-décalé was a way of showing young people still wanted to have fun.
DJ Arafat's hits included 'Dosabado', 'Hommage à Jonathan', and 'Moto Moto', which has more than four million views on YouTube.
With 10 studio albums in his 15-year career, DJ Arafat had a big influence on the French music scene as both singer and producer.
Minister of Culture Maurice Kouakou Bandame announced the possible creation of a museum to honour the artist, and the motorcycle involved in the accident, his vehicles and personal belongings could be conserved to generate income for his heirs.
