Didi B

Didi B
Background information
Also known asBabi Style
Born
Bassa Zéréhoué Diyilem

(1992-04-03) 3 April 1992
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Genres
OccupationsSinger, Rapper, Actor
Years active2009–
Labels
Websitemojavel.com

Bassa Diyilem known by his stage name Didi B and Babi Style, (born 3 April 1992 in Abidjan) is an Ivorian rapper, singer, composer, dancer and actor.[1][2] He has released several songs including five albums.[3]

Early life and career

Bassa Zéréhoué Diyilem was born on April 3, 1992, in the village of Ki-Yi in Abidjan, established by Cameroonian writer Werewere Liking as an artistic hub and training center for the education of young people; to parents who were involved in music.[4] His father, Abou Bassa Bomou, a Gagu is a pianist, actor, and arranger, while his late mother, Péhoula Zéréhoué, was a choreographer and dancer of the Guéré ethnicity.[5][1][6]

At the age of three, he made his stage debut in Meiway's music video "Death Society" who then invited him to participate in two other videos, "Ahissan" and "Le Dernier Siècle".[7]

Career

Actor

At the age of 10, Didi B was approached by artist Paul Madys to play the lead role in his music video for his song "ARRETEZ", marking his entry into the world of cinema. He subsequently landed a role in a television series produced by UNICEF.[8]

In 2006, at the age of thirteen, he secured the lead role in the film Les Frères Kadogo (The Kadogo Brothers) by Rwandan director Joseph Muganga, assisted by Henri Duparc. The film won the Best Fiction Award, the Grand Prix TV-Video at FESPACO, and the Best Medium-Length Film Award in the Digital Africa section at Vues d'Afrique in 2007.[9] The success of this movie led to his meeting with Ivorian music producer Laurent Gbagbo.[10]

In music

In 2009, Didi B formed the rap group Kiff No Beat along with some of his cousins.[2][11] In 2013, Didi B released his first solo album, "Mojo Trone Vol. 1", still remaining with the group.[12]

In 2017, Kiff No Beat became the first African hip-hop group to be signed by Universal Music.[13]

In 2021, Didi B signed several partnership contracts with brands such as Fresh Pressea, Johnnie Walker, and Budweiser.[14] He also signed with the Ivorian label Coast to Coast and 92i.[15] Didi B also launched an organization named Africa Mindset.[16]

In 2022, Didi B rose into prominence with the release of his first solo album, "Mojotrône II: History", co-produced by Coast to Coast and 92i, after his group Kiff No Beat decided to pursue solo careers but collaborate on tracks or albums later.[17] This album garnered over 50 million streams and sold over 5,000 CDs, certified by BURIDA, Dream Makers, and the APRODEMCI.[18] To mark the album's release, Didi B performed two concerts within four months at the Palais de la Culture on May 27 and August 27, 2022, followed by other concerts including one in Guinea at the Stade General Lansana Conté and another solo concert in Paris at the Elysée Montmartre on February 4, 2023.[19][20]

His single "En Haut", released on August 20, 2022, was the result of a collaboration between the artists Tam Sir and Jr La mélo. In 2023, the single "En Haut" held the record for his most-streamed track on the music streaming platform Boomplay, reaching a total of 16 million streams.[21]

In 2023, he featured rapper Dadju in his single "L'argent" and French rapper franglish in "S'envolement".[22][23] In 2024 he released the single "Travailler" featuring Serge Ibaka and featured French rapper Mohammad Sylla in his track "DX3 (Dégâts X3)".

In 2025, he released his second solo album called "Bazarhoff & Diyilem", which went platinum in less than five months.[24]

Legacy

Didi B won several awards in 2022, notably at the PRIMUD awards where he won the Best Francophone Artist. He also received the Song of the Year award at the AFRIMA awards in Dakar.[25]

In July 2023, he received a gold record for "Mojotrône II: History" from JM production.[18]

He is the only Ivorian rapper to have filled the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium (over 30,000 seats) for a concert, and subsequently the Stade Bouaké.[26] He also holds a diamond record for his album "Mojotrone II: History" and more than 10 gold and platinum singles.[8]

Collaboration

Since May 26, 2021, Didi B has signed with 92i Africa, the African branch of French rapper Booba's label 92i, founded in 2021.[27][15][28]

Personal life

Didi B is Muslim. He is married to Sarai Dhologne following a marriage proposal during a concert. They have a daughter.[29][30][31]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Mojo Trône, Vol. 1 (2013)
  • Mojotrône II: History (2022)
  • Before Olympia (2023)
  • Diyilem & Bazarhoff: Genius (2025)
  • Juventus Nueva Era (2026)

Singles

2022

  • Tala
  • En Haut (with Tim Sir and Jr La mélo)

2023

  • Shogun
  • Trophy Room
  • Aïcha (feat Miedjia)
  • L'argent (feat Dadju)
  • S'envolement ( feat franglish)
  • Disque de Gouel
  • Aladji Toutouya[32]

2024

  • Travailler (feat Serge Ibaka)
  • J'adore (feat Miedjia)
  • DX3 (Dégats ×3) (feat MHD)

2025

  • GO
  • Holiday Season (feat Zinoleesky)
  • Good vibes
  • RODELA (feat Sindika)[33]

Filmography

  • Death Society (Meiway music video, 1995)
  • Ahissan (Meiway music video)
  • Le Dernier Siècle (Meiway music video)
  • ARRETEZ (Paul Madys music video)
  • Les Frères Kadogo (Joseph Muganga, 2006 movie)

Awards

Event Award Date Ref
Primud d'or 2022 Best Album of the Year 7 November 2022 [34][35]
Best Artiste "Ivorian Rap"
Hit of the Year
AFRIMA Song of the Year Award, "Tala" 15 January 2023 in Dakar [36][37][38][39]
Africa Talent Awards Best album, "Mojotrône: History" 28 January 2023 [40]
Best African Artiste
Song of the Year, "Tala"
Best Records and Intercontinental Song of the Year, "Tala"
Kundé d'Or 2023 Kundé Best Artist of West Africa 12 May 2023 [41]
JM PRODUCTION Gold Certification for "Mojotrône II" 2023 [42]
TRACE Awards Best Francophone Artiste 2023 [43]
Primud d'or 2023 PRIMUD D'or 19 November 2023 [44]
Primud 2024 Primus d'or 10 November 2024 [45]
TRACE Awards 2025 Best Hip-hop Artiste 27 February 2025 [46]
APRODEMCI Diamond Certification for "Mojotrône II" May 2025
APRODEMCI Platinum Certification for Album "Diyilem & Bazarhof" May 2025
AMC & APRODEMCI Platinum Certification for Album "Mojotrône II" May 2025

References

  1. ^ a b "Didi B (Côte d'Ivoire) Babi style". Next is Africa. 24 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Rapper Didi B sings about the daily lives of Ivorian youth". Le Monde. 19 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Didi B - This is Africa". WS Partners. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  4. ^ "Du village Ki-Yi, à la fondation Ki-Yi: 40 ans de construction d'une trajectoire panafricaine des Arts et des Cultures". Fabula (in French). 23 June 2025.
  5. ^ Koffi, Sandra Manuella (26 October 2022). "Qui est Abou Bassa, le père de Didi B ?" [Who is Abou Bassa, the father of Didi B]. Pulse Côte d'Ivoire (in French). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  6. ^ "Portrait: Tout savoir sur la star ivoirienne Didi B" [Everything to know about Ivorian star Didi B]. Culturebene (in French). La Rédaction. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  7. ^ "Didi B, sa carrière en 5 morceaux" [Didi Ni, his career in five sentences]. PAM | Pan African Music (in French). 8 February 2022.
  8. ^ a b "PORTRAIT : Il était une fois DIDI B - Abidjanshow.com". www.abidjanshow.com (in French). 3 April 2018.
  9. ^ "IFcinéma - Les Frères Kadogo". ifcinema.institutfrancais.com (in French). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  10. ^ "Didi B : L'Ascension d'une Voix Émergente dans la Scène Musicale" [Didi B: The rise of a emergent voice in the musical scene]. Medium (in French). 21 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Côte d'Ivoire – Didi B : Je veux montrer à la diaspora que je peux être un pilier de la musique" [I want to show the diaspora that I can be a pillar of music]. JeuneAfrique (in French). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  12. ^ "Discographie de Didi B - Téléchargez des albums en Hi-Res". Qobuz (in French). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  13. ^ "Kiff No Beat Cite D'Ivoire's premier rap group on being the blueprint for the youth". OkayAfrica. 19 April 2019.
  14. ^ "Didi B, first Francophone to receive a Nigerian Gold certification". Nbg Africa. 10 February 2026.
  15. ^ a b "Booba signe Didi B sur 92i Africa" [Booba signs Didi B to 92i Africa]. Generations.fr (in French). 28 May 2021.
  16. ^ "Didi B "Give yourself the chance to succeed!"". Next is Africa. 2 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Légendes urbaines - Didi B entre dans l'History". RFI (in French). 19 August 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Le rappeur Didi B à la conquête du monde - Jeune Afrique.com" [Rapper Didi B to conquer the world]. JeuneAfrique (in French). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  19. ^ "Didi B, le nouveau roi de la musique ivoirienne" [Didi Bi, the new king of Ivorian music] (in French). Le Monde.fr. 31 May 2022.
  20. ^ Danielle Seri. "Pour son premier live en France : Le rappeur Didi B annonce un spectacle à guichet fermé" [For his first live show in France, rapper Didi B announces a sold-out performance]. fratmat.info (in French). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  21. ^ "Le rappeur le plus populaire de la Côte d'Ivoire, Didi B" [The most popular rapper of Côte D'Ivoire, Didi B]. Nollymove (in French). 11 November 2023.
  22. ^ "L'argent » - le single de Didi B et Dadju pèse déjà lourd". Music in Africa (in French). 16 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Didi B réagit aux propos de Booba concernant son featuring avec franglish" [Didi B reacts to Booba's comments regarding his collaboration with Franglish]. gentsu.fr. 2 August 2023.
  24. ^ "Ivorian rapper Didi B releases new album ahead of historic concert in Abidjan". Africa News. 28 April 2025.
  25. ^ "Les grands gagnants des PRIMUD 2024 : Roseline Layo, Didi B et bien d'autres étoiles de la musique ivoirienne". Music In Africa (in French). 11 November 2024.
  26. ^ "Didi B - This is Africa". BBC. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  27. ^ "Booba s'exprime concernant sa nouvelle signature Didi B, qui est proche de Kaaris" [Booba speaks out about his new signing Didi B, who is close to Kaaris]. Gentsu (in French). 27 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Didi B rejoint le label 92I Africa de Booba". Life Magazine (in French). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  29. ^ "Qui est Didi B, le rappeur le plus talentueux de Côte d'Ivoire? (Biographie) - Musique/Radio - Côte d'Ivoire" [Who is Didi B, the most talented rapper in Côte D'Ivoire]. ivoireland.com (in French). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  30. ^ "Didi B: Le rappeur et sa femme Sarai officiellement mariés (vidéo) AbidjanTV.net" [Didi Ni: Rapper and his wife Sarai are officially married]. Abidjan TV (in French). 8 October 2022.
  31. ^ "Didi B et sa femme Sarai sont officiellement mariés". Fakarey (in French). 8 October 2022.
  32. ^ "Musique : Didi B donne un avant-goût de son album avec "Aladji Toutouya"" [Didi B gives a taste of his album with "Aladji Toutouya]. Linfodrome (in French). 14 September 2024.
  33. ^ "Didi B sur Apple Music". Apple Music (in French). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  34. ^ "Primud 2022 : Voici tous les résultats" [Primus 2022: See all the results]. Ivoirebusiness (in French). 8 November 2022.
  35. ^ "Primud d'Or 2022 : KS Bloom et tous les autres lauréats..." Music In Africa (in French). 8 November 2022.
  36. ^ "African musicians converge in Senegal for annual awards ceremony". Al Jazeera . 16 January 2023.
  37. ^ "AFRIMA: Burna Boy, Didi B, Wizkid et Davido entre autres vainqueurs" [AFRIMA : Burna Boy, Didi B, Wizkid and Davido along with other winners]. Africanews (in French). 16 January 2023.
  38. ^ "All Africa Music Awards : Didi B rafle le prix de la meilleure chanson de l'année" [All Africa Music Awards : Didi B wins award for the Best Song of the Year]. allbuzzafrica (in French). 17 January 2023.
  39. ^ Iwayemi, Zainab (16 January 2023). "Burna Boy, Wizkid, others shine at AFRIMA Award in Senegal". Nairametrics.
  40. ^ Fouda, Natacha (30 January 2023). "African Talent Awards : Didi B raffle tout". Newstories Africa (in French).
  41. ^ "Kundé 2023: le rappeur ivoirien Didi b remporte le prix du meilleur artiste de l'Afrique de l'Ouest" [Ivorian rapper Didi Bi takes award for Best West African Artiste for the Year]. Linfodrome. 13 May 2023.
  42. ^ Ngono, Danielle (24 July 2023). "Didi B certifié disque d'or par l'APRODEMCI". Culturebene (in French).
  43. ^ "Trace Awards 2023 : Roseline Layo, KS Bloom, Didi B font honneur à la Côte d'Ivoire | 7info" [Trace Awards 2023 : Roseline Layo, KS Bloom, Didi B honoured at Côte d’Ivoire]. 7info (in French). 22 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Côte d'Ivoire : Didi B grand vainqueur du PRIMUD d'Or 2023". Afrique sur7 (in French). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  45. ^ "Didi B, Manadja confirmé, Roseline Layo… Découvrez les gagnants des PRIMUD d'Or 2024". La Nouvelle Tribune (in French). 11 November 2024.
  46. ^ "Trace Awards 2025: Complete list of winners". Music in Africa (in French). Retrieved 17 April 2026.
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