Why did you call your new album "Attentat" (Attack)? Was it because the public refused to obey your "Loi" (Law - the title of Koffi's last studio album) or respond to your "Ultimatum" (the title of Koffi's group Quartier Latin's last album)?
Koffi Olomide: Well, I like the way you put that question, but I think I'm going to have to disappoint you here - the previous album titles had absolutely nothing to do with the naming of the new album! What happened was, I was doing a concert in Nairobi when the bomb exploded in the American embassy. The event really shocked me. The whole town was completely shellshocked. The bomb attack became a real psychosis with newspapers and TV reports using the word 'attack' literally every day. Of course, there was endless commentary about the bomb but the word that really stuck in my mind was 'attack' and I decided there and then - before I'd even sat down to write the songs - that my next album would be called "Attentat". Basically, the title's a sign of solidarity with my sisters and brothers in Kenya.

What kind of violent message does "Attentat" put across?
Sorry, but it looks like I'm going to disappoint you again! My new album's not about violence at all. It's full of tenderness, lullabies, dreams and happiness. It's about providing escapism for those who need to forget their daily worries and cares, and let's face it, there's an increasing number of people like that these days! "Attentat" features a lot of nice ballads, a rap song with Passi ("African Kings") and a Latino track I recorded with Coumba Gawlo ("Si si si"). There's not a hint of violence on the album anywhere. I'm on a mission to help people forget their troubles and spread a bit of joy and happiness in the world.

The song "Victoire" contains the line "Arrêtez d'essayer en vain de nous mettre des bâtons dans les roues". ("Stop trying to put a spoke in the wheel, it won't work!") Who exactly are you referring to here?
You know, people like me never leave anyone indifferent - especially where I come from in Africa! There are always people ready to attack me for who I am and what I'm doing. The way I see it, people fall into one of two categories - "Koffiphiles" and "Koffiphobes". And I'd just like to say to the "Koffiphobes", the supporters of the 'enemy' camp, that we've got the right to live too. We need room to breathe like everyone else!

Apart from stirring up your supporters and your enemies, I've heard that your lyrics sometimes get through to politicians too. Do you think politicians are likely to heed the warning at the end of your song "Tchernobyl" - "Sachons pratiquer ce que nous prêchons, parce que le paradis n'admet pas l'hypocrisie" ("Let's make sure we practise what we preach, because heaven doesn't admit hypocrisy"?).
Well, I must be better than I thought! I'm going to disappoint you again here, because in all honesty, I wasn't thinking about politics when I wrote "Tchernobyl". The song's actually about a woman who walks out without saying goodbye. It's a pure coincidence that people took it the other way. In fact, I think it's great that you can find another level of meaning in the song. But I have to admit that when I originally wrote the song there was no political message in there at all.

But you are aware that what you say often makes a major impact. A lot of people look up to you in Kinshasa, don't they? People come to you for advice and things like that. In fact, you've become a sort of spiritual guide for a lot of people just like Papa Wemba …
Yes, that's true. I don't think it's possible that artists with a relatively high profile like myself will ever leave people indifferent. We're always going to make some impact. But I don't think you can go so far as to say we've become politicians. No, no way. I have a lot of respect for politics, but it's a job which is best left to professionals. All I can say, very humbly and very honestly, is that I have no reason to believe that I have a monopoly when it comes to finding solutions to the world's problems. Everyone can make mistakes, including me!
It's true that people tend to turn to us and ask for our opinion on certain situations. But our opinion is pretty much like anyone else's. I feel very much part of Congolese society, and when my compatriots turn to me and ask me what I think about things I generally try and calm everyone down and reassure people that things will work out if we just let time take its course.

What do your fans in Kinshasa expect from you these days?
My fans are pretty worried right now. You know, they're wondering how much longer the Koffi thing can go on. I'm not a young man any more, after all - I've been singing for 23 years now! I think people are a bit surprised, and also a bit bewildered, by the music of the 'new generation'. Basically, I think they'd like us to stick around a bit longer. And let me just reassure everyone here - I feel strong enough to keep going for a long while yet. Who knows, maybe even another 15 years?
People also expect a message, some kind of response, to what's going on in Congo right now. They expect me to do something, you know. Like a number of other people in the public eye, I'm fortunate in being able to put a message across - people do actually listen to me. And a lot of people think that if we say what we think in public, it can help provoke a reaction and set things in motion. But the thing is, I prefer to put 99% of my energy, my brainpower and my strength into what I do best: music!
I've got to save a lot of energy and strength right now to take up the challenge of performing at the Palais Omnisports de Bercy in Paris on February 19th! That's what's at the forefront of my mind right now.

How many people are involved in the Koffi Olomide team in Kinshasa and Paris?
Well, if you include the dancers, the musicians and the bodyguards, I'd say between 50 and 70 people work with me on a permanent basis. Every day, someone comes on board and someone else goes off, sometimes for good! It's a major responsibility having such a big team, you know … For example, I decided that the eight dancers I was bringing with me to Bercy should all speak French properly - they only spoke Lingala before. They're going to be the first dancers in my country who'll be able to speak French! It's a challenge for me to try and give a bit of direction to people I work with. It's good to be able to help them with their education.

Do you lay down strict rules saying what people who work with you can and can't do?
Yes, I do. For instance, I don't like people smoking around me. I know some people light up behind my back, but generally when I'm there everyone sticks to the rules. Another thing I won't tolerate is my musicians bringing girlfriends into the workplace. My musicians are all polygamous - even though they're not married - but when I'm around there's no flaunting of girlfriends. Even if the guy is with a girl he won't admit there's anything going on when I'm there. It makes me laugh in a way, it's nice when people treat you like a big brother or the head of the family! Don't get me wrong though, I don't want everyone turning into monks … that would be a bit hypocritical with the things I sing about! (laughs).

What does your new name Grand Mopao mean?
It was the "shégués" - the street kids - who were responsible for that. One day I turned up at N'gobila Beach in Kinshasa harbour. That's where the street kids hang out in the hope of picking up bits and pieces. Anyway, I turned up in my swish car and suddenly this mob of street kids started crowding round me, shouting "You're the Grand Mopao! Give us this! Give us that!" Grand Mopao means "the boss of bosses" - everyone in Kinshasa knows that, but I didn't know it at the time! I took it as a compliment and my new nickname sort of stuck after that.

Koffi, I know your new daughter was born while you were recording this album. What influence did that have on your work?
Well, I ended up dedicating the song "Si si si" to her. She was born just a few days after the solar eclipse - on August 17th 1999. She was born just over the road at the American Hospital in Neuilly. I was really overjoyed!

You've actually included a children's song - "Chocolat" - on your new album. This adds a nice personal touch. It's also a bit of a new direction for you, isn't it?
I love children and they love me too! You know, when I see a child, I instantly feel like its father. This is a bit of a first in my country - it's the first time anyone's recorded a song for children. So I'm obviously pleased it's gone down so well. I originally intended to include "Chocolat" on my last album "Loi", but it wasn't finished in time. I really like the backing vocals on the song which were arranged by Lokua Kanza and recorded by Julia Sarr.

A host of other guest stars feature on your new album including Passi on the song "African Kings" and Coumba Gawlo on "Si si si". How did these collaborations come about?
Basically, with Passi I wanted to introduce a breath of fresh air, get a burst of new energy from the young rap scene. Passi comes from Congo Brazzaville, a place I feel very close to. He's also one of the best new talents on the rap scene. I was surprised to hear him name-check me in one of his videos. I didn't really know who Passi was at the time, but later I found out that I was someone he respected a lot artistically. I was touched by this and started taking an interest in what he was doing. I invited him into the studio when I was recording the new album and we created the song "African Kings" together. Passi came along with his generosity and his talent and said: "Hey, big brother, let's do "African Kings" together!" He started rapping and it was a really fascinating process for me - this was the first time I'd actually seen a rapper at work. I can honestly say it was a real highlight for me.
As for Coumba Gawlo, I was really impressed by the nerve she had covering the Miryam Makeba classic "Pata Pata". That was a big challenge for a young 20-something and I thought she made a good job of it. I really wanted to meet Coumba after that - I thought she was really cute and had a lot of class. It was great working with her. Coumba's just got this fabulous way of singing. When I gave her the lyrics for "Si si si" she said she'd already got her own copy in Wolof - her mother tongue from Senegal - and wanted to sing the song for my daughter in her own words. Coumba put in a really amazing performance. She's a big star who's a real credit to Africa and someone I'd happily work with again in the future. Then there was Jane Fostin, the beautiful young singer from Zouk Machine, who came in to do backing vocals. Jane recorded these fantastic soaring vocals I'm really happy with …

Can we expect to see these singers on stage with you when you appear at Bercy on the 19th?
Yes, they'll all be there. And there'll also be a lot of other special guest stars such as Congolese singer Abi Souria, the young rapper Stomy, the group Zap Mama and Youssou N'Dour - I just hope I'm going to be up to sharing the stage with him!

Your concert at Bercy kicks off at 11pm, just like your show at the Olympia did. Why so late? Do you like the idea of fans "spending the night" with you?
I think it goes down much better at night. You may have noticed that most people make love at night - it's no coincidence that the best things in life happen at night-time!

There are actually two versions of the album "Attentat". There's a single album, "Version radio", featuring shortened versions of your songs and a double album, "L'intégrale", which features the full-length tracks. Why bring out two albums?

To be honest, it's because of a bad decision made by the director of Sono Musisoft. The radio version of the album has really upset everyone - we've never known anything like it in Africa. If I'd actually been asked to come up with a radio version of the album before we started recording, I would have put a lot of thought into it. But I was surprised to see the way they just threw something together any old how once the studio version was finished.
I actually tried to dissuade Henri de Bodinat from bringing out the radio version, but he wouldn't listen to me. This is a regrettable decision which spoilt our celebrations when "Attentat" came out. As far as I'm concerned, I don't want anything to do with the radio version - my work is on "L'intégrale" and I strongly advise music fans not to buy the "Version radio".

Interview: François Bensignor
Translation: Julie Street