Rato Mobio Venance: his son Louka reveals prostate cancer diagnosis

Rato Mobio Venance, a historical figure of the Bozambo group and known in recent years on TikTok by the nickname “Papao,” has died from prostate cancer, according to his son Louka. The content creator spoke out on Friday, September 18, 2026, in a video posted on TikTok to clarify the circumstances surrounding his father’s death.

Louka stated that the musician passed away during the night of September 10 to 11 at the hospital, following several months of health issues. He mentioned prostate cancer, multiple surgeries, and infections that had gradually weakened his father. The Parisien and Télé-Loisirs reported on this family statement on Friday evening.

This clarification comes three days after the official announcement from the Ivorian Ministry of Culture and Francophonie. In its statement on September 15, the ministry confirmed Rato Mobio Venance’s death in France but dated it to September 13. Thus, the timeline provided by his son differs from that of the institutional tribute.

At 70 years old, according to several French media outlets, Rato Mobio Venance was a pianist, organist, keyboardist, and composer. He participated in the founding of Bozambo in 1973 alongside Jimmy Hyacinthe and Georges Ouédraogo, contributing to hits such as “Ayilokon,” “Kato Kato,” “N’te,” and “Viva Bozambo.”

From Bozambo to “Papao” on TikTok

After his time with Bozambo, the musician continued his career as an instrumentalist across Africa, France, and Canada. The Ivorian media outlet Le Méridien reports that he notably accompanied several artists on stage or in the studio, including Tiken Jah Fakoly, Chris Combette, Zal Sissokho, and Wesli.

A new generation later discovered him through his son Louka’s videos. Under the affectionate nickname “Papao,” he frequently appeared in family and humorous segments shared on TikTok, where Louka has amassed several million followers. This exposure provided a second wave of public visibility for a musician primarily associated with the Ivorian scene of the 1970s.

According to Louka, his father’s health had deteriorated over the past few months despite medical care and interventions. The young content creator explained that he chose to publicly confirm the news after information began circulating on social media, just days after the Ivorian Ministry of Culture’s statement.

In her official tribute, Minister Françoise Remarck praised Rato Mobio Venance’s contribution to the prominence of Ivorian and African music and extended her condolences to his family, loved ones, and the artistic community.