By CAROLINE NYANGA
When the evening Kenya Airways plane from Democratic Republic of Congo touches down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on September 27, one of the passengers disembarking will be one of the most influential African gospel musicians, L’Or Mbongo.
The singer and composer, who will be visiting the country for the first time, and is scheduled to perform in Nairobi, said she was looking forward to the tour.
"I can’t wait to set my eyes on the beautiful sights, people and sounds of Kenya. It is the one thing I have always dreamt of doing," she said.
Celebrated Congolese gospel artiste L’Or Mbongo during a past concert. [PHOTOS: WILBERFORCE OKWIRI/STANDARD] |
Speaking to The Standard on Saturday on the telephone from DRC’s capital, Kinshasa, the multiple winner of Best Congolese Gospel Artiste award confirmed she would perform at the InterContinental Hotel on September 29, before holding two other major concerts at NPC Valley Road and Pefa Church Donholm, Nairobi, on October 1 and 2.
The performances will be part of a highly anticipated charity show dubbed World Kenyans for Kenya, organised by Congolese promoter Jules Nsana of Nsana Promotions and Pefa Church, among others. The concert will also feature popular artistes such as Tanzanian Christina Shusho, Apostle Cindy from the US, MOG trio and local based Congolese artiste Solomon Mukubwa.
"I want my fans and the entire Kenyan generation to know that I have lots of surprises for them. Mine is a unique slower version of international gospel with a difference because of the traditional Zulu influences and Lingala and Rumba tunes involved," she said.
Although L’Or sings mostly in Lingala, she has fans across the globe.
Known for her tasteful dressing, energetic stage performances and bewitching vocals, L’Or promises to thrill fans with some of her captivating songs, including Akuna Mungu kama wewe, Nkosi na Yuda, and Nakotia Motema.
Unveil album
The musician also says she will unveil her latest 14-track album, Sakuza, during the tour.
"I want Kenyans to be the first to get a taste of my new music. This is the best treat I can ever give to them considering it is my first show here," says the musician who has six albums under her cap, which include Yesu Kaka, Singolo, Ezala tina, Fimbulu.
She added: " My songs are aimed at intervening on behalf of those who feel left out maybe because they feel that God has taken too long to answer their prayers. I try to assure them that nothing is impossible with God and that God’s timing is different from that of man hence the need for patience."
L’Or has held concerts in New York, Israel, France, Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Italy, Gabon, and many countries in Asia and Africa.
Considered one of the smoothest tenors among Congolese musicians, L’Or, whose music is inspired by Bible teachings, says her mission is to recast original rumba gospel music to come up with what she describes as "international Congo gospel".
"I strongly believe this is the kind of music that has and will still continue to be appreciated by many generations to come," she says.
The veteran gospel singer says that while she supports efforts by the younger generation of Congolese musicians to be innovative, she is disheartened by the fact that some of them lack creativity.
"It may be stage fright or lack of creativity," she explains.
But despite her immense success, some critics say her popularity has been waning in recent years.
L’Or last released an album in 2009, and her fans have to visit video and music sites such as YouTube to access her music.
She, however, says she has not released any records in the recent past because she has been busy holding live shows in DRC and other countries.
She was born to Mr Zakanza Mbongo and Bernadette Mbongo in Congo DRC’s Bakongo, Ba Zaire Province. The first child in a family of four children, L’Or says she used to sing in Setoma Catholic Church choir at a very tender age.
She attended Kinshasa Lisen Chen schools and was also an active participant in the institution’s activities. " I later joined Germaine School Campus De Kinshasa where my love for music grew with time."
But it was not until late 1990s that she ventured into music as a career. Among the artistes she has worked with include South Africa’s Rebecca Malope. In the last few years Rebecca has become known as Congo’s queen of gospel music.
