Caroline Nyanga and Mike Owuor
The legendary Wenge Musica 4x4 may have splintered into various groups, but members of its ‘clan’ never seem to stray too far from the band’s original style. ‘Big boys’ Werrason, JB Mpiana, Allain Mpela, Allain Makaba and Titina Al Capone may have made their mark, but Ferre Gola is slowly but surely stamping his authority.
And Kenyan fans will today and tomorrow get a piece of Ferre when he performs at Club Afrique today and Deep West Resort in Nairobi tomorrow courtesy of Nsana Promotions.
In a telephone interview with The Standard from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, the Kora award nominee says he will be accompanied by 14 band members, including lead singers Makinu, Kombo Chikito and Olenga Makiese whose melodious voices have been used to back up most of his music.
"My fans should be ready for a new sensational dance style and the best of rumba. It was not for nothing that I was groomed by my ‘father’ Werrason (leader of the original Wenge)," he says.
Albums
And to add to the excitement, Ferre reveals his Kenyan fans will be the first to be treated to a live performance of music from his latest album, album Qui est Derriere Toi.
Ferre says he joined Wenge on Werrason’s invitation after the band had just completed their Pentagon album. The band split soon thereafter and Ferre chose to follow Werrason and his Wenge Musica Maison Mere.
Ferre’s most memorable contribution is the song Vita Imana in Solola Bien album. After working with Werrason for a decade, he eventually left since "I realised I needed to move on. I’m still in good terms with Werrason. But 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," he says.
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 the wish of one of my business partners who wanted Werrason’s name omitted from the remix. However, Werrason is an open-minded person who understands how these things work," says Ferre, adding that a song in his first album, Sens Interdit (2007), is in praise of Werrason.
He says given a chance he is willing to work with any of the Congolese artistes upon request. So, would he work with another rising star, Fally Ipupa, who they are not said to be in good terms with?
"We have never been friends with Fally," he retorts as matter-of-factly.
Ferre also has a philanthropic side, and is known to rehabilitate street children in DRC. Vocalist Chikito, who features in some of Ferre’s videos, is one of the beneficiaries.
Social responsibility
"Once you give out something with the right hand don’t let the left one know," he responds when asked if the philanthropy is merely a publicity stunt.
Given his charming looks and sense of fashion, Ferre says he always has many female admirers.
" Well, I try to be nice to them because they are my fans who make me who I am. But at the end of it all I go home to my sweet wife from Algeria and child," says the musician who last performed in Kenya in 2001 with Werrason at Carnivore Restaurant.
And as to why his music is not found in Kenya he apportions blame on the distributors and promoters but says he is working on the issue.
He says he believes in maintaining high standards of fashion, something he learnt from Wenge Musica.
The musician and his Ferre Gola band have performed in various parts of the world andhave been to Angola, Belgium, France, Holland, Guinea, Congo Brazzaville, US and Canada.
Asked on who he thinks is the best among the Congolese musicians, he simply states that they are all good but he feels Werrason is more industrious and wise.
