Soukous music legend, Awilo Longomba will be landing at Entebbe National Airport on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 ahead of his Kampala performance slated for this Friday, April 5.
The Congolese musician is expected to be in Uganda by 2:30pm local time, together with his whole entire Paris band that will be gracing the stage at Kampala Serena Hotel where many shall all be reminiscing and dancing the night away to Awilo’s greatest hits.
Awilo, who started his music career back in1995 when he quit drumming to take up singing, has established himself over the years as one of Africa’s finest artistes of his generation and is no stranger to Uganda. Awilo last visited Uganda in 2008.
The 56-year-old Awilo Longomba started his music career as a drummer in Viva La Musica band. Popular for songs such as Coupe Bibamba, Gate le Coin, Modongo, Longomba ditched the drums for the leading role in 1995.
His second CD, Coupe Bibamba (1998) made him known throughout Africa, Europe and America. This was followed by Kafou Kafou (2001) and an album, Mondongo (2004), which features Japponais, Dally Kimoko, Caen Madoka, Djudjuchet, Josky Kiambukuta and Simaro Lutumba. He is also credited as an atalaku (animateur) on some soukous records. Awilo now lives in London City, United Kingdom and is married to Paradis Kacharelle and they have a son called Lovy Believe Church Awilo Longomba.
Awilo's relatives in the music industry include his father Victor Longomba a founding member of T.P OK Jazz as well as his late elder brother, Lovy the father to the Longombas, who are a popular Afro-fusion group based in Kenya. Lovy had a rich tenor voice and was a member of Super Mazembe led by Longwa Didos.
His music dominated Ugandan airwaves in the early 2000’s thanks to a wave of mushrooming local stations.
Nevertheless, his Friday show, organised by Cents in partnership with Singleton will have fans particularly excited as it will be the Congolese star’s first public concert in more than a decade. Fans can also look forward to entertainment by leading gospel act Levixone, as well as Jackie Chandiru among many others.
Tickets to the show are being sold at Shs100,000 (general), Shs400,000 for VIP and Shs4m for a table of 10.
