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Released Nov 19, 2023
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Quick Facts
Born
1976
1976
From
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the
Journey
Hervé Gola Bataringe was born on 3 March 1976 in Kinshasa, in what was then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). He is the seventh of nine children in his family. His parents come from mixed ethnic backgrounds (including Teke and Yombe roots), and Hervé was raised primarily by his mother after his father left the family. Growing up in the Ngiri-Ngiri commune and later moving to Bandalungwa, he developed a love for music at an early age, attending rehearsals after school, composing, and taking inspiration from the musical life around him.
Ferre Gola’s first steps into professional music began in his youth. In about 1994-1995, during a local fair (kermesse) in Bandalungwa, he caught the attention of Werrason and was recruited into the band Wenge Musica. When Wenge Musica dissolved in 1997, he stayed with Werrason in the splinter group Wenge Musica Maison Mère. He first achieved noticeable recognition in 1999 with the song “Vita-Imana”, from the album Solola Bien! with Wenge Musica Maison Mère.
In 2004, following disagreements within Wenge Musica Maison Mère, he co-founded a new group called Les Marquis de Maison Mère together with Bill Clinton Kalonji and JDT Mulopwe. They released an album, Miracles, which brought further acclaim. The next year (2005), Ferre Gola joined the famous ensemble Quartier Latin International, led by Koffi Olomidé, where he contributed to compositions such as “Insecticide.” By 2006, he decided to go solo, releasing his first solo album Sens Interdit.
Musically, Ferre Gola is known for the Congolese rumba and ndombolo genres, with strong sources of influence from soukous and occasionally more modern crossovers. His singing voice is tenor; emotionally expressive, romantic, often dealing with love, relationships, and social themes. Over time, he has continued to evolve his sound, often blending classic rumba rhythms with newer arrangements, and keeping in touch with his musical roots while reaching broader audiences.
Ferre Gola’s breakthrough moment is often traced to the release of “Vita-Imana” in 1999, which quickly made him one of the more visible voices in the Congolese music scene. From there, the formation of Les Marquis de Maison Mère, his time with Quartier Latin, and then the launch of his solo works all built upon that early success. Key songs in his solo career include “Jugement” (2016), “Rumba Trap” (2022), and “Carte Rose,” among others. His albums QQJD (2017), Dynastie Volume 1 (2022), and Dynastie 2 (started in 2023) have each carried significant commercial and critical success.
Ferre Gola has received many awards and nominations. In 2017, he won Best African Artist at Canal 2’Or. His album Dynastie Volume 1 (2022) not only achieved over one million streams on Spotify within 21 days of release, but also won the accolade Best African Melody Album from Sony Music Entertainment Africa. More recently, in 2025, his song “Mobondo” (with Rayvanny) earned two major trophies at the Africa Arts Entertainment Awards: Best Clip Vidéo d’Afrique Centrale and Meilleur Hit d’Afrique Centrale. He has also been nominated for Kora Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, African Muzik Magazine Awards, and others.
On the business side, a major milestone came in March 2022, when Ferre Gola signed with Sony Music Entertainment Africa, becoming one of their flagship artists. This deal coincided with the launch of Dynastie, his 18-track album designed to reach both traditional fans of Congolese rumba and newer audiences.
Besides music, Ferre Gola has shown interest and activity in social and philanthropic causes. For example, he has been involved in rehabilitating street children in Kinshasa, helping individuals who appear in his videos (such as Chikito), and supporting them. He also seems committed to maintaining and promoting Congolese culture in language, in musical tradition, and as an ambassador of rumba. More recently, he has branched out into entrepreneurial ventures: opening “Ferre Store” boutiques (in Paris, Geneva, Kinshasa, Brussels) and launching a fragrance line called Eau de Golois. Also, he introduced a beer brand named La Goloise.