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Vinka says all songs she's recorded are owned by Swangz Avenue

Vinka has revealed that all the songs she has sung are owned by Swangz Avenue, and she would have to pay the record label if she wants ownership rights.
Vinka
Vinka

The songstress, who joined the label as Irene Ntale's manager, has produced several hits, including top-charting ones since she started singing in 2017.

While appearing on Galaxy FM on Friday, June 14, she said that when the contract ends, and if she wants to own the songs, she will have to negotiate with the label on how much she'll have to pay to acquire her catalogue.

She also mentioned she has the option of re-recording the songs to regain control of her master recordings. Taylor Swift is among the artistes who have done this before.

Vinka also noted that she doesn't own performing rights if she leaves the label.

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Despite unceremoniously leaving Swangz Avenue, Irene Ntale still performs the songs she recorded while with them, although they are all on the label's streaming platforms.

Who is Vinka?

Vinka, real name Veronica Nakiyingi Lugya, has grown in the music industry over the years.

She grew up in Kazo, Kawempe, at her father's place and Bweyogerere (mother’s place), where she went when she was in P.5. The parents were separated.

She attended Hormisdallen Schools (Kamwokya), Rubaga Girls’ Secondary School, and Makerere University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Tourism Administration in 2017.

In A-Level, she was an entertainment prefect, and she started dancing and singing when she was in high school.

In S.6 vacation, she participated in a dancing competition called NTV Hot Steps with friends, forming a group, and they won.

She later worked for Jackie Chandiru as a dancer. When Chandiru started falling sick, Vinka began thinking about quitting.

She had been performing at Buzz Events, which is owned by Swangz Avenue, and also danced for their artiste, the late Sera. That's how she met Julius Kyazze. Kyazze offered her a job as an artiste manager, and she accepted it.

She got the job while still at university and part-timed it with Chandiru’s until she asked her to choose between her and managing Irene Ntale. She chose to work with Ntale.

In 2015, Swangz Avenue needed a dancehall artiste and asked her to participate in scouting for one.

She had been doing jingles and voice-overs at the record label. The label produces adverts for organisations.

Then in 2016, after she finished school, she offered herself to try and become that dancehall singer. They hit the studio, and she recorded Level, her first single.

It was followed by Overdose, Malaika, and Love Doctor.

She believes that Malaika was the song that gave her the confidence that she had finally made it as a singer.

She stopped managing artistes in October 2016 and focused fully on singing in February 2017.

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