Up close and personal with Azawi

Listening to her music, one quickly realises that she’s a talent with vocals and artistry that’s so amazing.

Azawi - Sqoop 4 Pulse Live Uganda

Her genre and kind of lyrics will leave a result in the history of Ugandan music as diverse. Azawi is also a creative music writer and has done lots of projects for a number of Ugandan artists like Eddy Kenzo’s Bibawo, Inabana and kiberakyo by Pia Pounds.

Back in 2020, Azawi released her debut EP called ‘LO FIT’ that had five tracks like; Quinamino, Lo Fit, Crazy Lover, Repeat It, and Mbinyumirwa. According to Azawi, all these songs were written by her and produced by Kusseim of Fresh Records.

On October 9th 2021, Azawi released her debut album called African Music. On the album she features top Ugandan musicians like Eddy Keno, Benon, Fik Fameica and Apass.

The 16-track album has songs like “My year” and “Slow dancing” which have been trending and mostly topping charts.

Azawi Pulse Live Uganda

The ‘African Music’ album also hit number one on Apple Music’s Top African album, hours after its release, with all the 16 tracks off the album being among the Top 50 songs.

Azawi went to St Janan S. S, Kasubi S. S, St Henry's College Gangu and London College Nansana. The Pulse Uganda team sat down with her to discover more about her career, school times, music and her lifestyle.

You are wearing tomboy outfits, what inspires your kind of fashion?

I have always tried so much to look good for my interviews because some happen once in a lifetime so that’s why I look fly for the PulseUg interview.

Do you have any instrumental skills?

Yes, I am so good when it comes to playing congers. They help me with a vibe when I am writing song lyrics and they produce a feel of pervasiveness which makes my sound more African.

Why did you choose music instead of sports or anything else?

I believe I have a talent backed up with passion. To me, music is all I can do because of the potential I have, I don’t want to gamble while doing other things like acting or sports.

What kind of artist would you classify yourself?

I believe I am a rare species that’s got a unique character. I like creations that are so unpredictable and hard to guess. Every person has always gotten to be unique and have a good sound which all generations admire and that’s the kind of musician I am.

How excited were you about your debut album?

I was so excited for my debut album after I dropped an Extended Play

[EP]. This album “African Music” took me over one year and months to put together.

The inspiration about this album is that I am a pan African and I love everything that’s African based because they represent us and sell us to the outside world and that’s why the album is also influenced by African rhymes with a fusion of so much content about African arts and music, nature, love and lifestyle and many more.

Talking from your point of view, are there essential qualities that make a good artist?

Discipline and being humble are key in music. Not being afraid of critics because bad or good is better than none. These build you as an artist, but I believe they come after one has the talent.

For how long have you been in the music industry?

It has been quite a good time because I started this in my senior one in school. I have written school songs and written songs for big Ugandan artists.

Are there top artists in Uganda that you have written music for?

Yes, they are there. I have done songs for Lydia jasmine, Nina Roz, Pia Pounds and co-written a number of songs with Kenzo. Though most of the music is not yet out. They are saving it for the last because they are good songs.

Let’s flip back to your school days, how was your date?

I didn’t have a prom date. Actually, I was the MC of the day. That time I was even too shy to go on a date. Some things in school were for top school slayers and personally I couldn’t handle the slayage.

What’s the difference between prom, sosh and leavers’ party?

To be honest I went to not so town schools. I even don’t know much about all those things. All I know is they are all parties and it's assured there is food and drinks.

Do you have a secret man crush amongst Ug artists?

Yes, Maurice kirya. He is so cute and also talented. I would trade my kidney on any online platform to save his life.

He is now single, are you likely to shoot your shot?

(Laughs out loud) I am not sure about anything but let’s see what the future holds. For now, let’s first make that music.

Cindy or Sheebah?

The king herself Cindy all the way.

For starters, who exactly are you?

My real name is Zawedde Priscilla aged 25.I graduated from Makerere University with a bachelor’s degree in commerce. I hate my short temper though I have medicine for it. I love being on stage and live band music completes me. I welcome challenges because they make me reason so fast and quick.

Did you ever get expelled from shule for anything?

Never in my school life was I ill-mannered, I was so disciplined and I was an academician that’s why I kept low-key. I was also into Music, Dance and Drama. so I didn’t have time to waste because I had goals and a bright future to make bright.

Would you rather side with studying sciences or arts?

I don’t really understand how science studies work. I would rather side with the arts because they are more of a creation. With arts subjects you can easily employ yourself when things don’t go well with school for example fine art, music dance and drama, craft making.

Talking about music, any challenges so far?

Music is not cheap to make. If you invest in much you will definitely get much and vice versa. People will always appreciate good work and with money everything is set and simple. Before I got signed, money was the reason I couldn’t put out videos because I wanted to be only putting out quality projects.

What’s that feeling being signed under one of the best record labels Swangz?

Trust me it's one dream come true. I really can’t describe the feeling and still can’t believe it’s happening. I just can’t thank God enough because finally I see where my future is going. Being under Swangz is the best feeling to ever happen to an artist like me.

Besides Ugandan venues, what’s your dream venue to perform at?

All my life I had dreams of performing at the Black Entertainment Television (BET), Grammys, Summer and Reggae fests in the whole world.

Who is your hero?

My family is my hero. They have always been there for me and never given up on me. They are my number one fans and supporters.

What is your greatest achievement so far?

This is so obvious, joining Swangz Avenue. Am glad People put my name on my face. Through Swangz I have managed to meet so many big brands and stakeholders in the music industry.

Any diva you would like to work with in Uganda and outside?

The king herself Cindy. She is a world class self-contained artist. She can do it from singing to dancing as well as writing. She’s a real female king in this game. When it comes to outside artists, I would love to work with koffee.

What does the song Quinamino mean?

That song means I badly want to be your Queen. You don’t have to think about the title. I just flip flopped the words to make it unique.

What’s your fans and supporters’ message of the year 2022?

People will not always believe in you at first but stay focused and set goals. If you want to really achieve a goal, position yourself on the front row so that people can see you. Get a real company that can support and push your projects and don’t forget to make magic with your character and behavior. Have that esteem and confidence to do something and stand out. Just be yourself.