Awilo Poised to Rock Independence Stadium

If the show-stopping performance that Congolese superstar Awilo Longomba dished out at this year’s Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is anything to go by, then Namibian music lovers can prepare themselves for a humdinger of a show on Saturday.

Longomba, who is considered one of the most influential African musicians of all time, will be rocking Independence Stadium in a live show on Saturday, 23 November.

Awilo was the headline performer during a tribute concert staged in the honour of late Jackson Kaujeua, which was not well-received by the public due to poor marketing.

With a career spanning decades, Awilo is no newcomer to the Namibian scene as two of his biggest hits ‘Karolina’ and ‘Gate Le Coin’ became street anthems in townships and villages around the country.

With the dawn of independence, African music gained popularity, especially among the hundreds of people who returned from exile, many of whom introduced their relatives to the rhythmic and high octane sounds of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Johanna Shiweda, one of the organisers of the show, says Awilo is a musical giant renowned for his unique blend of traditional Congolese music with Afrobeat, soukous and pop influences.

“He revolutionised African music by introducing the world to his signature style of energetic rhythms, infectious beats and powerful vocals. His sound is a fusion of modern and traditional beats with a distinct danceable rhythm – it has earned him a dedicated global fanbase.”

Awilo’s collaboration with global artists such as Youssou N’Dour, Koffi Olomide and Papa Wemba has solidified his position as a pan-African music icon.

The show is organised by Nani Trading, who orchestrated the highly successful Koffi Olomide show.