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Juliana Kanyomozi: Why I like Azawi

According to Juliana Kanyomozi, Azawi is among a few singers who are doing music with a long shelf life in Uganda today.
Juliana Kanyomozi and Azawi
Juliana Kanyomozi and Azawi

Speaking to Ruth Kalibbala Bwanika recently, Kanyomozi urged upcoming musicians to consider including music that will have a long shelf life in their catalog.

According to her, Azawi is among a few singers who are doing that in Uganda today.

"That's why I like Azawi," said Juliana Kanyomozi. "There's a way she combines those things. She'll do a club banger but when you listen to the lyrics, there's a storyline. So you need that, it's important."

She continued: "You have to have purpose. Why do you sing?... How do you want to be remembered? What effect do you want your music to have on people "

The Kibaluma hitmaker said she has rejected several good songs that don't align with her purpose.

Azawi started as a songwriter until she met Benon Mugumbya and Julius Kyazze at Swangz Avenue and they encouraged her to switch to swinging.

Before she met the Swangz Avenue co-founders, she had also written songs for Carol Nantongo and Eddy Kenzo.

She has said in interviews that she had originally wanted Winnie Nwagi to sing Quinamino, her breakthrough song. Quinamino was produced by Kusseim, who also made the beat for Tupaate, Pia Pounds' breakout song in 2021.

Azawi still writes most of her songs but she has said she is no longer heavily invested in writing for other artistes. She recently almost sparked a feud with Lydia Jazmine when she said that she had reservations about her approach to releasing songs. Jazmine, who recently had her maiden concert at Hotel Africana in Kampala, said Azawi's comments were disrespectful.

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