Kohndo (also known as Doc Odnok, full name Kohndo Assogba) is a French rapper and producer born on June 17, 1975, in Saint-Cloud, a suburb of Paris. Kohndo is known as one of the best lyricist in french rap. He gained recognition as a rapper during the 1990s as a part of the influential rap group, La Cliqua.
Biography
Early career
After his birth in France, Kohndo moved to Benin (West Africa) where his family originated. A few years later he moved back to France, and grew up in Bobigny, a suburb located north-east of Paris. In 1984, he discovered part of Hip-Hop culture through the TV Show, H.I.P. H.O.P. hosted by Sidney. In 1987, he relocated to the "Cité du Pont de Sèvre" (Pont de Sèvre Housing Projects) in Boulogne Billancourt, a wealthier suburb located west of Paris. There he befriended his downstairs neighbor whose family, like his, came from Benin, and who would be later known in the rap scene as Zoxea, a member of Les Sages Poètes de la Rue. With Zoxea, Kohndo discovered the deeper aspects of Hip-Hop, and after having learned ‘human beatboxing’ began rapping. Zoxea introduced Kohndo to his cousin: Egosyst, with whom he formed the band: "Coup d’Etat Phonique" alongside producer Lumumba and then-young rapper, Raphael. In 1994, at a radio show, Egosyst and Kohndo met Daddy Lord C, a rapper and former member of the Black Dragons, a Parisian gang. With Daddy Lord C, producer Chimiste, dj Jelahee and Rocca they would form La Cliqua.
The La Cliqua years
With the stage name Doc Odnok and as a part of La Cliqua, Kohndo toured radios and stages, and then released, in 95, a first EP, now considered a master piece of French Rap: "Conçu pour durer" (Built to Last) on Arsenal Records. Doc Odnok delivered, for the first time on record, his then eccentric rhyming style alongside his microphone associates: Daddy Lord C, Rocca, Raphael and Egosyt. The record was an immediate success in the French Hip-Hop scene. Quickly Arsenal Records signed with major label Barclay, and La Cliqua worked on their next project released in 1996 as a compilation album: "Arsenal Represente le Vrai Hip-Hop" (Arsenal represents the Real Hip-Hop). The record featured all members of La Cliqua and their young affiliates: Petit Boss and Cercle Vicieux. Critically acclaimed, La Cliqua became a major feature on the French Hip-Hop landscape. They opened for Arrested Development at the Olympia in Paris and performed in New York City at the Zulu Nation Anniversary. Following in the footsteps of "Represente le Vrai Hip-Hop", Rocca was the first emcee from La Cliqua to release a solo album: "Entre Deux Monde" which featured Kohndo on: "Mot pour mot" and "Rap Contact 2". In 1997, Egosyst, Kohndo's rhyme partner on "Coup d’Etat Phonique" decided to leave La Cliqua. Kohndo would remain with the band until 1998, when he left the crew to develop his solo projects and career.
After La Cliqua
Shifting lyrical styles for a more relaxed and mature approach, in 1998, Kohndo was invited on NAP's album "La fin du Monde", on Koma's "Le Reveil" and to participate in the compilations: "ZonZon" (Soundtrack) and "Paris, New York, Marseille" (along with Jay-Z and IAM). In 1999, Kohndo released a first EP: "Prélude à l’Odysée", establishing himself as a solo artist. The following year he released another EP: "Jungle Boogie", and then a 3rd one in 2001: "J’entends les Sirènes". On those solo projects, Kohndo exposed his vision of a Hip-Hop far from the clichés of violence and fake gangsterism. 2003 saw the release of his long-awaited album, the critically acclaimed: "Tout est écrit", presented as a recollection of "urban poetry" with welcome hints of soul and jazz. In 2004, Kohndo released "Blind Test", a compilation of older tracks and previously-unreleased materials. Over the years Kohndo has open stages for Masta Ace, Edo G (at Nouveau Casino), Talib Kweli, Mobb Deep (La Scène Bastille) and Isaac Hayes (Olympia).