Singer Werrason’s date with Nairobi, Kisumu fans

The flamboyant Werrason, whose real name is Noel Ngiama Makanda is expected in Nairobi next Friday, May 27, with his 23-member band, Orchestre Wenge Musica Maison Mere, one of the biggest bands in DR Congo and eastern Africa. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • Werrason who was born on December 25, 1965, was among the founder members of the original Wenge Musica band alongside his arch rival, JB Mpiana, Didier Masela and Alain Makaba. He has lately been keeping a low profile, having given a  small break to live shows.
  • Wenge Musica was formed in the early 1980s, initially as a students’ group modelled on the musica stage name that was popularised by Papa Wemba and his group, Orch Viva La Musica. They later became more innovative in composing their beats with help from King Kester Emeneya and his Victoria Eleison.

Lingala music fans in Nairobi have a big date with popular Congolese singer Werrason early next month. The show is being touted as marking the end of the 40 days of mourning of crooner Papa Wemba.

The flamboyant Werrason, whose real name is Noel Ngiama Makanda, will be accompanied by Orchestre Wenge Musica Maison Mere, one of the biggest bands in DR Congo and eastern Africa.

Werrason is expected in Nairobi next Friday, May 27, with his 23-member band.  According to his tour promoter, Mr Jules Nsana of Nsana Promotions, the band’s first show will be on May 31, at the Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi. Entrance fee will be Sh3,000 (advance), Sh3,500 (gate) and Sh4,000 (VIP). The band will then travel to Kisumu for its second concert at the Simba Club, on June 4.

“Werrason has always been eager to perform in Kenya and will be dedicating his upcoming tour to his countryman Papa Wemba, who mentored many of the top Congolese musicians,” Mr Nsana said of the man nicknamed the Nkoi (leopard).

Kenyan Ohangla sensation Emma Jalamo will be the curtain raiser during both shows.

Werrason who was born on December 25, 1965, was among the founder members of the original Wenge Musica band alongside his arch rival, JB Mpiana, Didier Masela and Alain Makaba. He has lately been keeping a low profile, having given a  small break to live shows.

TRIBUTE TO PAPA WEMBA

Wenge Musica was formed in the early 1980s, initially as a students’ group modelled on the musica stage name that was popularised by Papa Wemba and his group, Orch Viva La Musica. They later became more innovative in composing their beats with help from King Kester Emeneya and his Victoria Eleison. Incidentally, King Kester Emeneya, was also a member of Papa Wemba’s Viva La Musica Band until he broke away to start his own group.

Both Werrason and Kester are from the Bandundu region of DR Congo. Other prominent singers from this area include Tabu Ley Rochereau, former TP OK Jazz Band singer and composer Pepe Ndombe Opetum and Reddy Amisi.

Werrason is best known for his hit songs 'Solola Bien' and 'Kalayi Boeing'. This will be Werrason’s fourth concert tour of Kenya in the last 20 years. His most memorable visit was in December 1997, after which he parted ways with JB Mpiana, the long serving president of Wenge Musica. Following the split, JB formed Wenge Musica BCBG, while Werrason remained with Wenge Musica Maison Mere (the main house), which then featured, among others, Ferre Gola, who is widely recognised for the love song with a soccer rivalry motif, Vita Imana, the names of two of Congo’s biggest football clubs.

Other greats were Didier Masela and Adolphe Dominguez. The latter would also later abandon Werrason to start his own outfit, Wenge Tonya Tonya.

Many diehard Lingala fans will recall that this was beginning of intense rivalry between the two Wenge Musica factions. Whereas Mpiana released, “Rapid Intervention; Mpiana’s faction replied with “Titanic”. This crystallised into a battle of rappers (Atalaku) Bill Clinton and Tutu Kaludji for the two rival groups, upping the musical ante.

Werrason’s back-up group during the forthcoming tour will have a markedly new line-up.

According to promoter Nsana, Werrason will also do a tribute to Papa Wemba besides performing a rich selection of his numerous popular songs.

Meanwhile, similar 40-day memorial shows for Papa Wemba are expected to be held by Congolese musicians in the diaspora, with the highlights slated mainly for London, Paris and Brussels, where there are long colonies of the artistes.