The song "Quinamino" catapulted Azawi to fame. Penned in just 40 minutes at a studio in Kampala, Uganda, the love ballad was initially crafted with the intention of selling it to another artist, showcasing Azawi's prowess as a songwriter rather than a performer.
Driven by a business-oriented mindset, Azawi aimed to compose cheerful tunes, believing they held commercial appeal. However, Swangz Avenue, the Ugandan record label she intended to pitch the song to, had different plans—they saw Azawi's potential as an artist and offered her a contract.
With over 1.2 million views on YouTube and nearly 500,000 plays on Apple Music and Spotify combined, "Quinamino" and its accompanying EP achieved remarkable success without extensive promotion.
Meeting Azawi at her home in Kampala, she exudes warmth and humility, accompanied by friends and a cup of ice cream. Despite her tardiness, she greets me with a hug, emphasizing her belief in treating others with kindness.
Azawi emphasizes the importance of character in her journey as an artist, striving to be recognized for her care towards others. Changing into a vibrant shirt, she settles beside me, exuding confidence that has been ingrained in her since childhood.
Born Priscilla Zawedde and raised in a Kampala suburb, Azawi's rapid ascent from modest beginnings to musical stardom within a year speaks volumes about her determination. Reflecting on her journey, she expresses pride in her accomplishments, recognizing her uniqueness and significance in the industry.
Surprisingly, Azawi's musical journey began as a dancer in 2005, when she joined a cultural troupe. Recalling her experiences, she humorously recounts the challenges of mastering a demanding dance routine, underscoring her resilience and journey towards her true passion—music. She also reflects, "Everything I learned there truly prepared me for where I am today." However, reaching this point wasn't straightforward for Azawi. To support herself, she continued dancing for income, but eventually ceased when her academic performance suffered. Despite this, she embarked on two trips to China with her dance troupe, and by 2011, she had begun dabbling in songwriting as a pastime, later recognizing its potential for financial gain. The urgency to monetize her songwriting arose in 2012 following her father's passing, as her mother's income from a salon became insufficient to support Azawi and her two siblings.
During high school, Azawi commenced selling her compositions to fellow musicians, facilitated by a friend. Yet, this endeavor proved challenging as payment often lagged, sometimes extending over a two-year period. Asserting her self-worth, she refused to be exploited, stating, "If I perish with my art, so be it, but I won't permit anyone to take advantage of me."
In 2015, Azawi joined a band to explore additional revenue streams while concurrently waitressing at her mother's newly opened restaurant and pursuing an undergraduate degree. Juggling her commitments, she attended evening classes, followed by performances, earning a modest income of UGX6000 (approximately $1.62) per show. Despite the meager pay, the allure of indulging in roasted fish, salads, and cassava after shows kept her motivated.
Four years into her band tenure and shortly after resigning from her waitressing job, Azawi conceived "Quinamino" for sale. However, her visit to Swangz Avenue in August 2019 resulted in an unexpected offer to join the label, an exhilarating moment she describes as indescribable bliss.
Azawi's refusal to conform to any specific genre or label distinguishes her. Her musical style, an amalgamation of influences including reggae from her band days, reflects her refusal to be confined artistically. She emphasizes, "Why restrict myself? That would stifle my creativity and potential." Her aversion to conformity extends beyond music to her fashion choices, challenging societal norms for women's attire. Despite facing criticism and unfounded rumors in Uganda's homophobic climate, Azawi remains undeterred, prioritizing artistic freedom above all else. In 2015, Azawi found herself in need of additional income, prompting her to join a band. Simultaneously, she juggled a waitressing job at her mother's newly established restaurant and pursued an undergraduate degree. Recounting her schedule, she recalls enrolling in evening classes, dedicating around two hours to studying on campus before rushing to perform at 8 p.m. for her band commitments. Despite the modest pay of UGX6000 (approximately $1.62) per show, Azawi indulged in her favorite culinary delights, including deep-fried fish, salads, and cassava, which served as her motivation for eagerly attending each show.
