Papa Wemba thrills at festival

Bagamoyo. Congolese crooner, Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, popularly known as Papa Wemba, was the toast on the second day of Karibu Music Festival in Bagamoyo yesterday.

Saying he was happy to be in Tanzania to promote music and African culture, Papa Wemba did not dissapoint on stage where he went on to belt his popular songs to an ecstatic crowd of adoring fans and revellers.

The crowd sang along with the legendary musician in his hit song ‘Show Me The Way’, as the dance and music came alive at Mwanakalenge grounds where the festival was held. Some 30 performers from different parts of the world took to the stage on Saturday night.

Speaking to The Citizen soon after his performance Papa Wemba said that, he came all the way to Tanzania for the Karibu Music Festival to support efforts by Karibu Music Festival to promote African culture as well as sharing the stage with different artists as a way of exchanging music career experiences.

“I am pleased and surprised at the succeess I have seen here at the festival. Upcoming artists would benefit alot and build their music careers in East Africa,” said Papa Wemba. Ms Julia Robert, 35, one of the fans who attended Papa Wemba’s show last night said that the festival was well organized but pleaded that organisers should reduce the entrance fee for locals in future as majority of Bagamoyo residents could not afford to buy tickets at Sh7,000.

Amarido Charles, the Chief Executive Officer of the Karibu Music Festival says that, the goal of the festival is to nurture and promote African music and culture to the world, as well as introduce other cultures from other countries to Africa.

The festival focuses on different genres of music, based on its influence and popularity, from African music to world music, namely Pop, Rock, Reggae, Hip Hop, Jazz, Country, Electronic and other alternative music.