Azawi on Her Quest to Claim Her Rightful Position in the African Music Scene
Azawi is undoubtedly one of Uganda’s fastest rising stars. Her journey to musical fame began when she joined a cultural dance & music troupe to raise funds for her university education. Through the troupe, she was able to travel to China as a public park busker. The Kampala born singer studied Commerce and Accounting at Makerere University before becoming a Swangz Avenue Record Label signee. Under the label, Azawi released her debut EP Lo Fit and debut album African Music in February 2020 and October 2021 respectively.
After release, African Music debuted at number 1 album in Africa for 2 weeks on Apple Music. It has since then been rated as the most successful album in East Africa by a female artist in the streaming era. Azawi’s impressive catalogue features hits such as Slow Dancing, Majje, and My Year to mention a few. The Fwa Fwa Fwa singer welcomed us into her world by walking us through the journey of her craft as an East African musician.
Describe yourself. Who is Azawi?
I am a low key kind of creature that enjoys doing the business of happiness, lifting up souls with my music, enjoying the world, loving people, having a good time with people, sharing, and smiling.
Tell us about the beginnings of your music journey.
Professionally, I started my career with Swangz Avenue, when I got signed at the end of 2019. I then released an EP that had Quinamino, Lo Fit, Repeat It, Crazy Lover and Mbinyumirwa and it had a good reception. This EP introduced me to the music scene really well. Later on when we were hit by COVID-19, I released my album African Music which has amazing songs like My Year, Slow Dancing, and Majje. Right now, we are doing a deluxe version to extend the album even more.
What inspires your sound?
I am a proud African so when making music, I make sure that the foundation of African rhythms and sounds is maintained as an element. If the vibe is perfect and I feel the frequency of the track connecting with my soul, I just start vibing on it and by the time we realise, we already have a song. Basically my roots inspire me a lot.
Your most recent release Fwa Fwa Fwa has gotten great reviews so far. Tell us more about the song and what inspired you when writing it.
I co-wrote that song with a couple of people like Swangz Avenue CEO Julius Kyazze, and Steve Keys. These are the guys behind mastering my African Music Album. We wanted to take it back to courtship, and love making so as to make people understand that love making has to be an experience that one has to give time. You don’t have to rush or be quick when making love to someone. Instead, you have to put in your time, spirit and commit to making love. You shouldn’t do it fwa fwa fwa……..
Fwa fwa fwa means poor quality, bad, not up to date…not nice. So making love to someone in a way that is not good can actually affect your relationship. That is why we were trying to tell our audience to take it slow. Like don’t do it fwa fwa fwa. Just give it to me ta ta ta hahaha! They're just creations.
After gracing so many stages, which live performance show was your most memorable one and why?
That was when I performed at Roast and Rhyme for the first time. That performance was really short and sweet like a mini skirt! I enjoyed each second that I was on the stage. It was my first time performing for a big audience as Azawi. I had a good time and I will never forget that show.
Your career boasts of an impressive track record of good music and several coveted accolades. What are some of the greatest highlights of your career?
One of the highlights of my career was when I got to be part of the YouTube Black Voices. That was a big milestone for me…. You know, being on the New York Times Square and all those huge platforms for me was an amazing thing. Shout out to YouTube for supporting black creatives! It was a good experience and I became more and more visible to people out there.
Another highlight was when I released my debut album African Music. It took my team and I 18 months to compile it, select the songs, listen, and do listening samples back and forth. I learnt a lot through the process.
How would you advise an artist who is starting out? Especially in the Ugandan music industry?
Make sure that you are good enough because when you are starting out, the only power you have, lies in your craft. You have to ensure that it is good enough so that when people get to listen to it out there, they won’t forget you. Also, you have to keep on practising, and researching until you get it on your fingertips.
When it is good, the right people that can support you and take you to another level will come. You won’t even have to look for them, they will come to you by themselves. So hit that studio, do magic, and keep on doing magic. Lastly, have as many songs as possible. That is how you get better – by doing it more and more.
Describe your worst performance. What did you learn from this experience?
There is a live show that I went for and the sound on set was really terrible. I learnt that sound can actually make you look a really poor artist. It was painful to be on stage and I couldn’t take it. I even had to step out for a minute so that the technicians can work it out. Despite that, nothing really changed, so I had to do the show just to get it really done and it was a bad experience. From that day I became so sensitive when it comes to sound. I always want to know the sound situation of the show that I am going to perform in.
Have you ever encountered a crazy fan? Tell us more.
Yeah hahaha! However I also understand that these fans really love me and sometimes it is hard for them to hold their emotions. That is why artists move with security teams. Some excitement can be so dangerous to an artist. I wouldn’t want to go to details of what really happened but, yeah, I have encountered crazy fans before.
Who is in your support system and how do they contribute to the growth of your music career?
Honestly, everyone. Ever since the day I became a professional artist, everyone in my life tuned themselves in a way that helps me become a better artist. My family, mama, sisters, and brothers ….my team, my management oh my God! They all work to make me a better artist.
Steve Keys and Benon Mugumbya - these guys make me be a more sensitive and observant with the way I do things as an artist. My manager Jaylor. Wizy, the guy who manages my social media is always telling me, “stop getting sensitive on social media.” Sometimes these things get to you and you can comment something, and that can hurt your brand. You have to let certain things go and you don’t have to talk about everything. I believe these are all people in my life for a purpose. They make Azawi the brand even much greater. Some people are even here to just make sure that I am mentally OK and in a good mood to create good music and I wanna thank them all.
Which artists would you love to work with in future?
As a rising star, I would love to get some elevation from big stars like Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Tems, and Dr Jose Chameleone. Willingly it shall happen.
What song(s) are you currently listening to?
I have been listening to Steflon Don’s Beg Me Ah link lately. She has a nice energy, and can sing on an Afrobeat track in a Dancehall mode. I have become so drawn to her music.
The deluxe version of debut album African Music is currently under the works, when can fans expect it? Also are there any other new music or projects cooking in the studio?
Yeah I am working on the album. Of course collaborations with big stars from Africa are coming in and I am excited! I can’t wait for you guys to hear it. It is going to be ready soon so people should expect more music from Azawi. I have always been about music and it’s gonna stay that way.
