Kenyan singer Victoria Kimani has responded to criticism from fans of Ferré Gola, known as "Golois," who claim she owes her popularity in the Democratic Republic of Congo to their collaboration on the song "Tucheze." In a statement shared on social media, Kimani denied that the song made her career, stating she was already an established artist in Africa before the collaboration.
According to Kimani, she did not know who Ferré Gola was when she recorded her part for "Tucheze." She claimed she participated in the song to help her friend J Blessing, who was trying to introduce Ferré Gola to the Kenyan market. Kimani emphasized that those who claim she was unknown before the collaboration are mistaken.
Kimani stated that her audience extends beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing her popularity in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, the UK, and the US. Her statement aimed to correct what she sees as a misconception about her career, emphasizing that while "Tucheze" was an important collaboration, it did not originate her continental fame.
The controversy surrounding Kimani's collaboration with Ferré Gola has been fueled by her recent association with Fally Ipupa, often seen as a rival of Ferré Gola. Some fans have perceived this as a betrayal, reviving criticism against Kimani. She had previously discussed her complicated relationship with the Congolese public, noting that they loved her because of Ferré Gola, while Tanzanians knew her through Diamond Platnumz.
In her latest statement, Kimani denounced what she sees as a lack of respect towards women, suggesting this attitude makes it difficult for her to be respected for her own work and artistic identity. "Your problem is that you do not respect women, and that is precisely why it is so difficult for you to respect me," she stated.
Despite the controversy, "Tucheze" remains one of Ferré Gola's most notable collaborations, released in 2016. The song brought together the Congolese singer and Kimani, receiving acclaim as a pan-African collaboration. Kimani had previously acknowledged in an interview with Nation Africa that Ferré Gola remained her most memorable collaboration.
Kimani revealed that she was invited to perform at the Stade des Martyrs de Kinshasa in June 2023, facing what she described as the largest audience she had ever performed for. Her statements aim to address the criticism and establish her as a respected artist in her own right, beyond her associations with other artists.
Key points
- Victoria Kimani was already an established artist in Africa before collaborating with Ferré Gola on "Tucheze."
- Kimani's collaboration with Ferré Gola has been a subject of controversy among fans.
- The singer emphasizes the need for respect towards women in the music industry.
