Ferré Gola

Hervé Gola Bataringe (born March 1976), known professionally as Ferré Gola or Ferre Gola, is a Congolese singer, songwriter, dancer, and record producer.[1][2][3][4][5] He is known for his "lyrical and symphonic" Congolese rumba,[6] as well as his vocal prowess,[7][3] stage presence,[8][9][10] and compelling musical compositions.[3] Ferré Gola is widely regarded as one of the best fifth-generation Congolese artists.[11][12][13]

Ferré Gola
Ferre Gola in Kinshasa, 2021
Born
Hervé Gola Bataringe

(1976-03-03) 3 March 1976
Kinshasa, DRC
NationalityDR Congolese
Occupation(s)Composer, vocalist, entertainer
Known forMusic
TitleSolo recording artist

Born and raised in Kinshasa, he joined Werrason's Wenge Musica at 19 and subsequently transitioned to Wenge Musica Maison Mère (WMMM) as the band's conductor following the band's dissolution in 1997.[14][15] He gained prominence after releasing his magnum opus "Vita-Imana" from the band's album Solola Bien, which became a sleeper hit in the 2000s.[14][16][17] In 2004, he co-founded Les Marquis de Maison Mère with Bill Clinton Kalonji and JDT Mulopwe, releasing their debut album, Miracles, featuring the internationally acclaimed composition "100 kilos."[14][18][19] In 2005, he joined Koffi Olomidé's Quartier Latin International as a singer and composer and contributed significantly to Koffi's solo album Danger de mort on songs like "Silivi" and "Insecticide," which was later released in 2006.[20][21][22]

In 2006, he launched his solo career and released his debut album Sens Interdit the following year, followed by a second album in 2009, Qui est derrière toi.[14] In January 2016, he collaborated with Kenyan singer Victoria Kimani on the "Tucheze" song which later won the Best Central African Video at the WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards.[23] In September 2016, he collaborated with Nigerian songwriter J. Martins on his 4th album Authentic on the track "Ekelebe."[24] In December of the same year, he released a new single titled "Boss."[25] On March 4, 2017, Gola was honored with the Best African Artist award at the Canal 2'Or Awards in Yaoundé, Cameroon.[26] In March 2022, Gola signed with Sony Music, coinciding with his album "Dynastie."[14] The album's lead single debuted at number one on Africacharts, a decentralized African music streaming platform.[27]

Background

Ferre Gola was born Hervé Gola Bataringe on March 3, 1976, in the commune of Ngiri-Ngiri in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From a tender age, Gola harbored dreams of becoming a professional musician.[28] His career began in the Bandalungwa commune, where he immersed himself in the local musical culture. Initially, he joined Youth Rumba (Rumba des Jeunes), a prominent band in Bandalungwa commune, where he honed his skills.[29][30][31]

In 1995, Gola joined Wenge Musica, a Congolese soukous boy-band formed by Didier Masela and led by JB Mpiana. When Wenge Musica split, he became part of the newly formed Wenge Musica Maison Mère, led by Werrason, Didier Masela, and Adolphe Dominguez. Over the course of seven transformative years, Gola captivated audiences with his emphatic voice, dynamic performances, and exceptional songwriting abilities. Following the split of Wenge Musica Maison Mère, Gola collaborated with Bill Clinton Kalonji and JDT Mulopwe to form a new band called Les Marquis de Maison Mère in 2004. Their collaboration resulted in the triumphant release of the album "Miracles," a transformative musical opus that earned widespread acclaim and was marked with the prestigious Best Album award at the KORA Awards 2005 held in South Africa. The success of "Miracles" catapulted Gola further into the limelight.[30][31][32]

Career

In 1995, during a talent fair in Bandalungwa, he was spotted and recruited by Werrason into the group Wenge Musica. When that boyband broke up, Gola, Werrason, Didier Masela, and Adolphe Dominguez created the band Wenge Musica Maison Mère, where he spent seven years from 1997 to 2004. He left the band in 2004 to found Les Marquis de Maison Mère with JDT Mulopwe and Bill Clinton Kalonji, who also left Werrason. In 2005, Gola joined the group Quartier Latin International, a soukous band led by Koffi Olomide, and left for a solo career in 2006, the same year Fally Ipupa left. While at Quartier Latin, one of the memorable hits he produced was the song "Sisi Silvie Remix," where he collaborated with Olomide.[33]

His music

Ferré has made an exceptional artistic journey which has earned him his current success. His songs resonate with emotion, addressing themes of love, social issues, and personal experiences. He is considerably conceded for his exceptional work and surrounded by a talented team of women and men who play key roles in his admiration and in his orchestra. Among them are Chikito, Kunzardo, Charly Solo, Mark House, Guy Digital, De Gaulle, and others. Before embracing the solo career, Ferré Gola produced five songs including "Vita Imana," "Victime d'amour," "100 Kilos," "Amour Intèret," "Insecticide," and many more.[34]

Discography

Since the debut of his solo career, Gola released three full-length albums:

  • Sens Interdit (2006)
  • Qui Est Derrière Toi (2009)
  • Avant Goût - EP (2011)
  • Boîte Noire (2013)
  • Dérangement - EP (2014)
  • QQJD (2017)
  • Dynastie (2022)

With WMMM
  • Force D’Intervention Rapide (1998)
  • Solola Bien (1999)
  • Terrain Eza Miné (2000)
  • Kibuisa Mpimpa (2001)
  • À La Queue Leu-Leu (2002)
  • Tindika Lokito (2003)

With Les Marquis
  • Miracles (2004)

With Quartier Latin
  • Boma Nga N’Elengi (2005)
  • Danger de Mort (2006)

Awards

WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 Tucheze Best Central African Video Won[35]

Canal 2'Or
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 Himself Best African Artist Won[36]

See also

References
  1. Ilunga, Patrick (2 September 2023). "Fally Ipupa and Ferré Gola: A two-horse race in Congolese music stardom". Nation. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  2. "RDC : Fally Ipupa ou Ferre Gola, qui est le vrai roi de la rumba ? – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). 19 December 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  3. Pajon, Léo (6 March 2021). "RDC : Ferré Gola, force tranquille de la rumba – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  4. LFM (19 April 2016). "Ferre Gola: Biography". London: Last.fm (LFM). Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  5. Amos Ngaira (24 August 2012). "Koffi Olomide's downward spiral". Africa Review. Nairobi. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  6. Lavaine, Bertrand (3 June 2022). "Ferre Gola cultive sa différence autant que l'esprit de la rumba". RFI Musique (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  7. Trapido, Joe (1 December 2016). Breaking Rocks: Music, Ideology and Economic Collapse, from Paris to Kinshasa. New York City, New York State, United States: Berghahn Books. p. 176. ISBN 978-1-78533-399-6.
  8. Nkosi, Zola (2 August 2023). "Cérémonie de clôture des IXes Jeux de la Francophonie: Ferre Gola confirmé pour enflammer la scène" [Closing ceremony of the 9th Francophonie Games: Ferre Gola confirmed to ignite the stage]. L'INTERVIEW.CD (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  9. Diala, Jordache (8 June 2023). "Pour relever son défi au stade de Martyrs : Ferré Gola choisit les Etats-Unis pour préparer son spectacle". Laprosperite (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  10. Ombum, Egide (24 June 2023). "Musique: Ferré Gola renverse le stade des Martyrs et signe son retour sur la scène musicale congolaise". Congo Presse (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  11. Gomez-Perez, Muriel; LeBlanc, Marie Nathalie (2012). L'Afrique des générations: entre tensions et négociations (in English and French). Paris, France: Éditions Karthala. p. 741. ISBN 978-2-8111-0631-7.
  12. Budka, Philipp; Bräuchler, Birgit (9 April 2020). Theorising Media and Conflict. New York City, New York State, United States: Berghahn Books. p. 242. ISBN 978-1-78920-683-8.
  13. Mumbata, Didier Ndongala (8 June 2022). Patrice Lumumba - Ahead of His Time. Trowbridge, United Kingdom: Paragon Publishing. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-78222-933-9.
  14. Badibanga, Walter (24 March 2022). "RDC: Ferre Gola signe avec Sony Music Entertainment Africa". Music In Africa (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  15. Nkutu, Jp (25 April 2002). "Congo-Kinshasa: Wenge Maison Mere: Ngiama Werrason confronté à l'indiscipline de ses musiciens" [Congo-Kinshasa: Wenge Maison Mere: Ngiama Werrason confronted with the indiscipline of his musicians]. AllAfrica (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  16. Makabi, Gratis (August 2023). "Musique : après 19 ans de séparation, Werrason et Ferré Gola sur une même scène le 26 août prochain à Londres !". Opinion Info (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  17. The Beat, Volume 26, Issues 2-4. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Bongo Productions. 2007. p. 52.
  18. "Ferré Gola annonce un concert à Lubumbashi". Music In Africa (in French). 2 August 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  19. Wangare, Jackline (1 April 2019). "15 of the best Ferre Gola songs you will thoroughly enjoy". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  20. Katumba, Aimè (13 August 2005). "Congo-Kinshasa: Koffi Olomide dément l'existence d'une crise au sein du Quartier Latin" [Congo-Kinshasa: Koffi Olomide denies the existence of a crisis within the Latin Quarter]. AllAfrica (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  21. "Biographie: Gola Ferre". Africultures (in French). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  22. December 22 2016, Thursday (25 December 2020). "Ferre Gola among top performers lined up for festivities". Business Daily. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  23. Akpah, Prince (29 December 2016). "Full List: 2016 WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Award Winners". Modernghana.com. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  24. Chiagoziem (26 May 2016). "All 20 People Credited On J. Martins' "Authentic" Album". FilterFreeNG. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  25. Ferre Gola - BOSS (clip officiel), retrieved 7 October 2023
  26. Ngomba, Joan (7 March 2017). "Canal D'or Awards 2017: Complete list of winners". DcodedTV. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  27. "Top100: Rumba | Chart". Afrocharts. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  28. Patrick Ilunga (4 September 2023). "Fally Ipupa and Ferré Gola: A two-horse race in Congolese music scene". The EastAfrican. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  29. "DRC: Fally Ipupa or Ferre Gola, who is the real king of rumba?". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  30. "Soukous All Stars | Kennedy Center". The Kennedy Center. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  31. FERRÉ GOLA - MUSIC FOR WILDLIFE, retrieved 8 July 2023
  32. Enyimo, Martin (19 November 2005). "Congo-Kinshasa: Les Marquis de Maison Mère nominés au Koras 2005". AllAfrica. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  33. InfernoGroupe (2 December 2010). "Sisi Silvie Remix: Koffi Olomide And Ferre Gola". Youtube.com. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  34. Timothy Monger (July 2021). "Biography & History of Ferré Gola". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  35. Zionfelix.net (29 December 2016). "Shatta Wale saves Ghana at 2016 WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards". Ghanaweb.com (GWC) Quoting Zionfelix.net. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  36. Zionfelix.net (29 December 2016). "Shatta Wale saves Ghana at 2016 WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards". Ghanaweb.com (GWC) Quoting Zionfelix.net. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
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