Born on April 18, 1986 in Abidjan, Yao Parfait, better known by his stage name DJ Kédjévara, has been immersed in music since childhood. Son of singer Antoinette Allany, whose hit song "Merci Yahvé" is one of his most famous , and Alphonse Toflodin, it was in his early twenties that the Ivorian entered the world of music. Pushed to the turntables in an Abidjan maquis, Marcory Gasoil, by DJ Bonano, he opted for a stage name in homage to the revolutionary figure of Che Guevara. The realization of his mother's most important song brought him into the production side of things when the public heard his voice on "Merci Yahvé", notably DJ Chegal Mokonzi, who encouraged him to present his own creations. Kédjévara released his first productions, including "Ton Pied Mon Pied", but it was in 2009 that his status as a protagonist of coupé décalé was established. With the release of the album Le Météorman, the tracks "Tchoucou Tchoucou" and "Bobaraba" resounded in the ears of the country and had an immediate effect. Placed directly among the anthems of the genre, the success of his songs opened the doors to international and European tours. While two albums followed, Nonguon-Nonguon (2012) and The One (2015), he decided to set up his own structure, 18 Avril Production. In this way, Kédjévara aims to help young Ivorian talent and provide them with the means to become musically professional. Under Kédjévara's wing, a number of names were able to develop, including DJ Moasco and rapper Mc One. A central figure in the Ivorian music industry at the beginning of the 21st century, Kédjévara returned to production with his album Puissance XVIII, released in 2021.
