Trending in Azawi’s World
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Story
Quick Facts
Born
1996
1996
From
Uganda
Uganda
Journey
Priscilla Zawedde, professionally known as Azawi, is one of Uganda's leading contemporary recording artists. She built her reputation through songwriting, dance, and live performance before emerging as a solo singer. Her music combines Afrobeats with Ugandan musical influences while presenting lyrics in both Luganda and English, allowing her to reach audiences across East Africa and beyond.
Born in Kampala, Azawi lost her father during her teenage years, an experience that brought significant family responsibilities. She attended Buganda Road Primary School and Mother Kevin Primary School before studying at several secondary schools, including St. Henry's College Ggangu, Lubiri Secondary School, London College Nansana, and St. Janani Luwum Secondary School. She later graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, supporting herself through various jobs while studying.
Her artistic journey began as a dancer with the 'Kika Dance Troupe' in 2005 before joining the Crane Performers. These experiences introduced her to stage performance and African traditional dance. She eventually shifted toward songwriting, composing material for established Ugandan artists including Eddy Kenzo, Lydia Jazmine, and Nina Roz. Working with Eddy Kenzo led to a partnership with producer Kuseim, who helped develop several of her earliest compositions.
Azawi's career changed in 2019 when she met executives at Swangz Avenue. Originally intending to sell the song "Quinamino" to another performer, she was instead encouraged to record it herself and signed to the label. Released in January 2020, "Quinamino" introduced her as a solo artist and became one of Uganda's breakout records of the year. It also served as the lead single from her debut EP, "Lo Fit" (2020).
In October 2021, Azawi released her debut studio album, "African Music," featuring collaborations with artists including Fik Fameica, Bensoul, and Eddy Kenzo. The release received critical and commercial success, strengthening her reputation across East Africa. She followed it with "African Music (Deluxe)" in 2022 and later released "Sankofa" in 2023, expanding her catalogue with collaborations involving regional and international artists.
Throughout her career, Azawi has issued notable singles including "Quinamino," "Repeat It," "Majje" (featuring Fik Fameica), "Slow Dancing," "My Year," "Bamututte," "Face Me," "Masavu," "Njize Okwagala," "Love Tekaawa," "Talking Stage," and "Ekiri Mu Ggulu." Her work demonstrates continued artistic growth while maintaining strong Ugandan cultural influences.
Azawi has earned numerous honours, including Female Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year, Outstanding Album of the Year for "African Music," Best Songwriter, and several Buzz Teeniez and Janzi Awards. In 2021, she became the **first Ugandan female musician** to appear on billboards in New York's Times Square and Los Angeles, marking a significant milestone for Ugandan music on the international stage.
Beyond recording, Azawi has served as a brand ambassador and has expressed ambitions to represent Uganda on a global scale through international tours and collaborations. Her progression from dancer and songwriter to award-winning recording artist illustrates the growing international recognition of Uganda's contemporary music industry.
