Azawi
{{Short description|Ugandan musician (born 1996)}}
{{Infobox person
| name =
| image =
| caption = Azawi at Swangz Avenue in 2023
| birth_date = 2 February 1996
| birth_name = Priscilla Zawedde
| birth_place = Kampala, Uganda
| nationality = {{flag|Uganda|23px}}
| education =
| alma_mater = Makerere University
{{small|(Bachelor of Commerce)}}
| occupation = singer, songwriter
| years_active = 2020–present
| party =
| known_for = Musical Artist
| style = African Music
| awards =
| website =
}}
Priscilla Zawedde (born 2 February 1996) better known as Azawi, is a Ugandan singer-songwriter and dancer. She was signed to Swangz Avenue (record label) in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Lee |date=2019-12-31 |title=BRAND NEW: Swangz Avenue Set Date To Release New Signing, Azawi's Song |url=https://www.routineblast.com/brand-new-swangz-avenue-set-date-to-release-new-signing-azawis-song/ |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Routine Blast : Gossip, Showbiz, Breaking News in Uganda |language=en-US}} Her musical genre is Afrobeats{{Cite web |last=Bm |first=B. |date=2021-10-11 |title=African Music by Azawi is the Album of the year! |url=https://www.galaxyfm.co.ug/2021/10/11/african-music-by-azawi-is-the-album-of-the-year/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Galaxy FM 100.2 |language=en-US}} in both Luganda and English.
She became the first female Ugandan act to appear on the New York "Times Square" and Los Angeles billboards.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-23 |title=Azawi shines brightest on billboards in New York and London |url=http://nilepost.co.ug/2021/10/23/azawi-shines-brightest-on-billboards-in-new-york-and-london/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Nile Post |language=en-US}}
Early life and education
Priscilla Zawedde was born 2 February 1996 in Kampala to the late Walusimbi Samuel and Nakamatte Mary. She went to Buganda road primary for her early education{{Cite web |last=Okereke |first=Caleb |title=Meet Priscilla Zawedde aka Azawi, Uganda's rising star |url=https://observer.ug/lifestyle/67567-meet-priscilla-zawedde-aka-azawi-uganda-s-rising-star |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=The Observer - Uganda |language=en-gb}} and later went to Mother Kevin Primary school in Mukono district, where she completed her primary seven from. She went to St Henry's college in Ggangu Masajja, Lubiri secondary school, London college in Nansana, St Janani Luwum secondary school for A-level and later on proceeded to Makerere University where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree.{{Cite web |last=10529544_769261689792222_224470721_n |date=2020-06-24 |title=I almost quit my course at campus just after year one - Azawi reveals |url=https://mbu.ug/2020/06/24/i-almost-quit-my-course-at-campus-just-after-year-one-azawi-reveals/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=MBU |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Swangz Avenue's New Singer Azawi Graduates with a Bachelor's Degree |url=https://blizz.co.ug/1896/Swangz-Avenues-New-Singer-Azawi-Graduates-with-a-Bachelors-Degree |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=blizz.co.ug}}
Career
= Early career =
Azawi's career began in 2005 as a dancer in a group called Kika dance troupe. As a group, they performed on many stages. Four years later, she joined another dance group known as Crane Performers and all this was done while still in school. After realizing that she was failing in school, she stopped dancing. She nevertheless traveled twice to China to perform with her troupe.
= Music career =
In 2011, she started writing songs,{{Cite web |date=2020-11-19 |title=Interview: Meet Azawi, Uganda's Rising Star |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/azawi-uganda-music-interview/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=OkayAfrica |language=en}} first as a hobby, before realizing she could make money from it. Her father died in 2012 and she had to help her mother to cater to her and her two siblings hence concentrating on making money from songwriting.
At her young age, Azawi began writing songs and her songwriting skills got her a meeting with Eddy Kenzo who eventually connected her to other artistes. She has written for artistes like Nina Rose, Lydia Jazmine, Carol Nantongo, Vinka, and Eddy Kenzo.{{Cite web |date=2020-08-14 |title=Azawi |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/node/131119 |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Music In Africa |language=en}}
Azawi later on joined a band in 2015 while doubling as a waiter at a restaurant her mother had just started.
After she had quit her job as a waiter that she wrote "Quinamino," with an intention of selling it{{Cite web |title=10 Things you didn´t know about Azawi |url=https://www.hardrockmedia.org/2021/09/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-azawi.html |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Hard Rock Media}} but when she walked into Swangz Avenue for the first time in August 2019, she got an offer to become part of the label instead.
Her breakthrough came in January 2020 after releasing her first single titled Quinamino.{{Cite web |last=Dash |first=Phame |date=2021-08-09 |title=Songs That Made These New Ugandan Artists Famous, Number 3 will Surprise You. |url=https://phamedashblog.wordpress.com/2021/08/09/songs-that-made-these-new-ugandan-artists-famous-number-3-will-surprise-you/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=PHAME DASH |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Uganda's Azawi: 40 minutes that changed my life — East African Herald |url=https://www.eastafricanherald.com/lifestyle/2021/12/13/ugandas-azawi-40-minutes-that-changed-my-life |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=EastAfricanHerald |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2020-10-03 |title=Milestone: Azawi's 'Quinamino' features on Major Lazer's mix |url=https://www.pmldaily.com/features/entertainment/2020/10/milestone-azawis-quinamino-features-on-major-lazers-mix.html |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=PML Daily |language=en-US}}
In November the same year, Swangz Avenue management signed and unveiled her and she released her first single under the label in January 2020.{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Lee |date=2019-12-31 |title=BRAND NEW: Swangz Avenue Set Date To Release New Signing, Azawi's Song |url=https://www.routineblast.com/brand-new-swangz-avenue-set-date-to-release-new-signing-azawis-song/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Routine Blast |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-12-31 |title=Fresh Talent: Swangz Avenue to release Azawi in January 2020 |url=https://mbu.ug/2019/12/31/swangz-avenue-to-release-azawi-in-january-2020/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=MBU |language=en-US}} She's still under the same record label{{Citation |title=Swangz Avenue |date=2022-03-18 |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Swangz_Avenue&oldid=1077860101 |work=Wikipedia |language=en |access-date=2022-03-25}} and now has over 20 songs.{{Cite web |title=Swangz Avenue signs new artiste Zafarani |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/129687 |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=New Vision |language=en}}
Discography
= Music albums =
- Lo Fit (2020)
- African Music (2021){{Cite web |title=Azawi on MTV Base list of artistes to look out for this year |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/128344 |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=New Vision |language=en}}
- SANKOFA{{Cite web |last=Troy|first=Kevin |title=Azawi's Sankofa Album - a Melodic Tapestry of Memories and Dreams |url=https://capitalradio.co.ug/entertainment/2023-08-28-azawis-sankofa-album-a-melodic-tapestry-of-memories-and-dreams/ |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=Capital Radio |language=en-KE}}
= Singles =
- Fwa Fwa Fwa
- Party mood
- Gimme
- Craving you heavy
- Bamututte{{Citation |title=BAMUTUTTE |date=2021-10-09 |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/2sZ4GjmmmpDqhQHg4MwxJM |language=en |access-date=2023-02-19}}
- Thankful ft Benon
- Majje ft Fik Fameica,
- Slow dancing{{Cite web |title=Music Review: Slow Dancing – Azawi & Myko Ouma (acoustic version) |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/121730 |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=New Vision |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=Jinja Hippos invite Impis with Azawi vibes to dance |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/rugby/jinja-hippos-invite-impis-with-azawi-vibes-to-dance-3736098 |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=Monitor |language=en}}
- Face Me ft A Pass
- Fwa Fwa Fwa
- Ku Kido,
- My Year
- Tubatiisa
- Party Mood
- Nkuchekele ft Eddy Kenzo,
- Love you is easy,
- African Music
- Ache for you.
- Quinamino
- Repeat it
- Lo Fit
- Crazy lover
- Toast to 75
- Mbinyumirwa
- Envision
- Craving You Heavy Remix ft. Chike
- Masavu
Awards and recognition
- Female Artist of the Year Janzi awards 2021{{Cite web |date=2021-12-13 |title=Who won what at the Janzi Awards 2021? |url=https://mbu.ug/2021/12/13/janzi-awards-2021-full-list-of-winners/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=MBU |language=en-US}}
- Outstanding Album of the Year – African Music Janzi awards 2021{{Cite web |title=The good, the bad and the ugly of the maiden Janzi Awards |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/122183 |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=New Vision |language=en}}
- Outstanding Afro Beat/Pop Artist Janzi awards 2021{{Cite web |date=2021-12-13 |title=Who won what at the Janzi Awards 2021? |url=https://mbu.ug/2021/12/13/janzi-awards-2021-full-list-of-winners/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=MBU |language=en-US}}
- Artist of the Year Buzz Teeniez awards 2021
- Teenz Female Artist of the Year Buzz Teeniez awards 2021
- Teenz Hottest Songwriter Buzz Teeniez awards 2021{{Cite web |date=2021-12-21 |title=Full List of Buzz Teenz Award Winners 2021 |url=https://chimpreports.com/full-list-of-buzz-teenz-award-winners-2021/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=ChimpReports |language=en-US}}
- Teenz Hottest Song of the year – ‘Slow Dancing’ Buzz Teeniez awards 2021
- Teenz Flyest video – ‘Slow Dancing’ Buzz Teeniez awards 2021
- Female Artist of the year Zzina Awards 2021/22 {{Cite web |last=Bm |first=B. |date=2022-03-26 |title=Zzina Awards 2021/22 Full List Of Winners |url=https://www.galaxyfm.co.ug/2022/03/26/zzina-awards-2021-22-full-list-of-winners/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Galaxy FM 100.2 |language=en-US}}
- Best Song Writer of the year Zzina Awards 2021/22
- Best Inspirational Song – Majje ft Fik Fameica Zzina Awards 2021/22
Other activities and achievements
Azawi is now a Guinness brand ambassador,{{Cite web |last=Ruva |first=Roy |title=Swangz Avenue Singer Azawi Signs Mega Guinness Deal – Chano8 |url=https://chano8.com/swangz-avenue-singer-azawi-signs-mega-guinness-deal/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Mugisha |first=Mugibson |date=2021-08-16 |title=Azawi Lands Very First Brand Endorsement of Her Career. Joins Fireboy DML, Beverly Naya As Guinness Brand Ambassador - MUGIBSON |url=https://mugibson.com/azawi-guinness/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-14 |title=Azawi Joins Celebrities Fireboy, Meji Alabi as New Guinness Ambassador |url=https://chimpreports.com/azawi-joins-celebrities-fireboy-meji-alabi-as-new-guinness-ambassador/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=ChimpReports |language=en-US}} a role that is also played by Nigerian Afropop Singer Fireboy DML.{{Cite web |title=Guinness Nigeria Unveils Fireboy DML & 3 Others As Brand Ambassadors |url=https://everyevery.ng/guinness-nigeria-unveils-fireboy-dml-3-others-as-brand-ambassadors/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=everyevery.ng |language=en-US}} This was also evidenced in her new video of MAJJE where she featured Ugandan Artiste Fik Fameica{{Cite web |date=2022-03-04 |title=Guinness teams up with Azawi for new, jaw-dropping "Majje" video |url=http://nilepost.co.ug/2022/03/04/guinness-teams-up-with-azawi-for-new-jaw-dropping-majje-video/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Nile Post |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-04 |title=Guinness and Azawi collaborate on a new, jaw-dropping "Majje" video. |url=https://bazzup.com/blog/guinness-and-azawi-collaborate-on-a-new-jaw-dropping-majje-video/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Bazzup.com {{!}} Get Connected |language=en-US}} and at her recent maiden sold-out concert at Lugogo, Kampala that happened in July, 2022.{{Cite news |last=Katungulu |first=Amon |date=2022-07-23 |title=Azawi throws unforgettable performance at maiden concert |language=en-US |work=Nile Post |url=https://nilepost.co.ug/2022/07/23/azawi-throws-unforgettable-performance-at-maiden-concert/ |access-date=2023-02-19}}
Azawi in 2021 featured at both New York and Los Angeles "Times Square",{{Cite web |date=2021-10-23 |title=Azawi 'Shines Brightest' on Billboards in London, New York |url=https://chimpreports.com/azawi-shines-brightest-on-billboards-in-london-new-york/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=ChimpReports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-23 |title=Ugandan singer Azawi conquers New York, Los Angeles |url=https://www.watchdoguganda.com/entertainment/20211023/123545/ugandan-singer-azawi-conquers-new-york-world.html |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Watchdog Uganda |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2022-02-26 |title=Azawi on NY billboards |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/azawi-on-ny-billboards-3730384 |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=The East African |language=en}} making her the first female and third Ugandan act to appear on the billboard after Eddy Kenzo and Bobi Wine.{{Cite web |last=Witness |first=Eye |date=2021-10-23 |title=Azawi becomes the first UG female artist to appear on Times Square |url=https://www.galaxyfm.co.ug/2021/10/23/azawi-becomes-the-third-ugandan-act-to-appear-on-time-square-in-new-york-after-kenzo-and-bobi-wine/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Galaxy FM 100.2 |language=en-US}}