Rumba great Ferre Gola to stage two shows in Kenya

Flamboyant Congolese crooner Ferre Gola will return to Kenya for two concerts next week. This will be exactly a year since his last visit to Nairobi. One of the new kingpins of DR Congo’s rich entertainment industry, Ferre is hugely popular for his alluring lyrics, vocals and dancing styles.

Ferre (pictured) is on an extended tour covering Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and the Gulf region. He will stage a much-anticipated show later this month in Dubai.

According to his Kenyan tour promoter, Jules Nsana of Nsana Promotions, the concert has been necessitated by demand from fans.

Ever since the Koffi Olomide debacle in July, in which the Congolese musician was deported after kicking one of his dancers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the promoter has been quiet. The act left Nsana Promotions counting immense losses. Nsana is credited with bringing to Kenya some of the best rumba artistes.

Speaking to the Saturday Nation, Nsana said: “Ferre has been enthusiastic to return and reconnect with his fans since his show last year.”

Also, unlike last year when Ferre’s show at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi was marred by a sound hitch, Nsana has assured fans of the best sound this time.

Ferre is hugely popular for his hits such as Kamasutra, Vita Imana, and 100 Kilos. Speaking from Kinshasa earlier this week, Ferre sought to assure his Kenyan fans that he was bringing them a pre-festive season treat. “I have been rehearsing special songs and dances for my Kenyan fans,” he said.

Ferre and his 20-member group are due in Nairobi on Wednesday. His first show is slated for next Friday at the upmarket Alchemist Bar in Westlands. 

He will then head for Mombasa where he will perform at the Coast Car Park on Sunday (Jamhuri Day Eve).       

From Mombasa, Ferre will travel to Dar es Salaam for a show on December 17.

“Ferre’s fans in Tanzania have been expressing their eagerness to have him perform there again,” Mr Nsana said.

The Congolese superstar will then fly to Dubai for his final show of his tour on December 22.

Ferre, who once performed alongside Werra Son in Wenge Musica Maison Mere and later with Koffi Olomide’s Quartier Latin International before going solo, has just like his big rival and compatriot, Fally Ipupa, chosen to record most of his songs with the mid-tempo beats.

In the last few months, Ferre has been spending more time in the recording studio.