- Title: Final tribute held for DJ Arafat, the 'King of Coupe Decale' dance music
- Date: 31st August 2019
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (French) FAN, SERGE WILLY SAYING: "He came from the street and imposed himself in music, may his soul rest in peace."
- Embargoed: 14th September 2019 11:41
- Keywords: DJ Arafat Ivory coast Funeral people crying for dj arafat music music lovers
- Location: ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST
- City: ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST
- Country: Ivory Coast
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Music
- Reuters ID: LVA007AUJTGLJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands of fans of DJ Arafat, the king of 'Coupè Dècalè' dance music that is hugely popular in Ivory Coast and West Africa, gathered on Friday (August 30) to pay tribute to him in a stadium in Abidjan on the eve of his funeral.
The 33-year old musician whose real name was Ange Didier Huon, died on August 12 in a motorcycle accident.
Musicians from Ivory Coast and West and Central Africa played a concert at the Félix Houphouët Boigny stadium.
Among them were Nigerian Davido and Sidiki Diabate from Mali.
Ivory Coast's presidency organised the vigil and concert in recognition of DJArafat's contribution in promoting culture.
In the early hours of Saturday (August 31) Huon's coffin was carried into the stadium. Music legends dignatories and members of his family passed by the open coffin as some fans wept. The coffin was driven to the Williams Ville cemetery for burial.
(Production: Media Coulibaly, Yvonne Bell, Chiara Rodriquez) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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