Following her set, Azawi took to social media platform X to criticise Fenon Entertainment for what she described as subpar sound quality during the event.
On Saturday, August 24, Ugandan artist Azawi was among the performers at a concert held at the Kampala Serena Hotel, headlined by Congolese star Ya Levis Dalwear, whose real name is Prince Nemiala.
Tshaka Mayanja, Azawi and Jenkins Mukasa
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“Fenon can’t provide a show with good sound, period!🙌🏾” Azawi posted, expressing her frustration.
In a follow-up post, she added, “It’s been over 4 to 5 shows, and anyone saying I’m overreacting has no idea what I’ve had to deal with!!”
Her remarks quickly sparked debate, with some fans supporting her criticism while others dismissed her complaints.
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Speculation arose that Azawi’s harsh words may have been fuelled by a longstanding rivalry between Swangz Avenue, the label managing her, and Fenon Entertainment.
Notably, Swangz Avenue’s co-founders Julius Kyazze and Benon Mugumbya have a history of working with Steve Jean, Fenon’s founder, and both companies now offer similar services in the industry.
Jenkins Mukasa, a music critic and friend of Steve Jean, questioned Azawi’s grievances, pointing out that bigger artists like Busy Signal and Boyz II Men, who have also performed at events involving Fenon, have not raised similar concerns. Appearing on Vybe Life UG, Mukasa said, “She’s a novice compared to Busy Signal and Boyz II Men,” and noted that other major acts like Kirk Franklin, Burna Boy, and Diamond Platnumz were satisfied with Fenon’s sound services.
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Mukasa suggested that Azawi's complaints might be unfounded, especially as Elijah Kitaka, another performer at the same concert, did not report any sound issues. He implied that the fault might lie with the sound engineer of Azawi’s band, hinting that she might have been under the influence before her performance. Mukasa also took a jab at Azawi's vocal abilities, suggesting she should focus on improving her singing.
Meanwhile, Tshaka Mayanja, a veteran in sound production for some of Kampala’s biggest concerts, clarified Fenon’s role. Speaking to Kasuku Live, Mayanja explained that Fenon primarily supplies sound equipment, and it’s up to event organisers to specify their needs.
He noted that Fenon does not manage the backline, which is crucial for concert music production, and typically does not handle sound monitoring, which musicians use to evaluate sound quality. Mayanja suggested that artists like Azawi may not have done thorough sound checks, leading to dissatisfaction. He also remarked that as Azawi was not the event’s headliner, she should not have been the one voicing complaints.
Mayanja concluded by emphasising that successful international shows he has been part of were possible due to hiring world-class equipment and experienced engineers from outside Uganda, ensuring thorough preparation and sound quality.
