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Congolese music crooner Ferre Gola is in town.
The Kinshasa and Paris-based artiste jetted in the country aboard Kenya Airways 45 minutes after the arrival of Pope Francis to touch base with his Kenyan fans.
Ferre who is visiting Kenya for the fifth time will on Friday (November 27) night thrill them at The Bomas Club, Nairobi alongside his 17 band members whose melodious voices have been used to back up most of his music.
Curtain raiser will be local king of Rumba Prezda Bandasson alongside his Patron Musica.
Groomed through original Wenge Musica 4 by 4, Ferre Gola has stamped his authority in the international entertainment scene proving he is indeed a star.
Speaking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport upon arrival from Kinshasa, yesterday evening, the Kora award winner in the company of locally based Congolese promoter Jules Nsana of Nsana Promotions assured fans that Friday would be an explosive evening.
“My fans will be treated to sensational dance style that I cannot reveal now besides the best and latest of rumba music I have lined for them.”
He reveals that Kenyan will be the first to be treated to his new album Boite Noire released in 2013 (meaning- Black Box) including his latest chartbuster Derrangement.
He expects the fans to ‘eat’ his music, which he believes is unique and different from what other musicians of Congolese origin have delivered in Kenya before.
“Unlike my counterparts I have mastered the art of good music having been groomed by my ‘father’ Werrason.
Werrason were among the founders of Original Wenge Musica.
He reveals that working with Wenge 4 by 4, elevated him to the standards of Werrason, JB Mpiana, Alain Mpela, Koffi Olomide and Didier Masela just to name a few.
He joined Wenge 4 by 4 on invitation by Werrason’s at a time when the band had completed their Pentagon album.
Unfortunately the group split when the album was about to released to the market. But he chose to follow his mentor, Werrason. He worked with him for a decade under the group Wenge Maison Mere producing spectacular albums like Solo La Bien with hit songs like Vita Imana.
He refuted claims that bad blood broke him with Werrason and instead explains that he moved because he realised a time had come for him to go to the next level.
“At one point someone has to grow in whatever career they are doing. After all Werrason fondly referred to as Rois De la Forest (King of the forest) had paved way for his lion child,” Ferra clarified
On why he omitted Werrason’s name in the Vita Imana remix, Ferre says he did that on a business point of view.
“It was a quest from one of my business magnate who wanted a remix of the album on large scale- but with Werrason’s name omitted from the label and his desire had to be satisfied.
However, to me Werrason is an industrious musician who is open minded and always focused to stay at the top. After all in my first album Sans en terdi – one of the songs is in praise of Werrason. ”
He says given a chance he is willing to work with any of the Congolese or East African artistes upon request.
He who believes in maintaining high standards of fashion says this is as a result of something he learnt from Wenge Musica 4 by 4 – the motto being s Bon Choc Bon Genre (handsome, classy rich and high lifestyle of a celebrity he is.
The musician and his Ferre Gola band have performed in various parts of the world.
The musician who loves to spend time with his family when he is not working says they have been to Angola, Belgium, Paris, Holland, Guinea, Congo Brazzaville, America and Canada.
Asked on who he thinks is the best among the Congolese musicians, he simply states that they are all good but Baloteli remains his favourite.
Ferre has worked with Wenge as well as Bill Clinton Kalonji and Koffi Olomide before going solo. He released his first solo album called Sens Interdict in December 2006 and has more than 12 albums to date.
On his Nairobi show, he promises to give a great performance.
