{{Short description|Ugandan musician (born 1996)}} {{Infobox person | name = | image = Azawi 001.jpg | caption = Azawi at Swangz Avenue in 2023 | birth_date = 2 February 1996 | birth_name = Priscilla Zawedde | birth_place = Kampala, Uganda | education = | alma_mater = Makerere University <br /> {{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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Her musical genre is Afrobeats<ref>{{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}}</ref> in both Luganda and English.
She became the first female Ugandan act to appear on the New York City "Times Square" and Los Angeles billboards.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
== 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,<ref name=":1">{{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 |date=30 November 2020 |language=en-gb}}</ref> and then to Mother Kevin Primary school in Mukono District, where she completed her primary seven. She went to St Henry's college in Ggangu Masajja, Lubiri Secondary School, London College in Nansana, and St Janani Luwum Secondary School for A-level. At Makerere University, she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree.<ref>{{Cite web |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}}</ref><ref>{{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|date=15 January 2020 }}</ref>
== Career ==
=== Early career === Azawi's career began in 2005 as a dancer in the Kika dance troupe.<ref name=":1" /> They performed on many stages. Four years later, she joined the dance group Crane Performers, while still in school. After realizing that she was failing in school, she stopped dancing. She nevertheless traveled twice to China to perform with the troupe.
=== Music career === In 2011, she started writing songs,<ref name=":2">{{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}}</ref> first as a hobby, before realizing she could make money from it. Her father died in 2012 and she had to help her mother and her two siblings, hence she concentrated on making money from songwriting.<ref name=":2" />
Azawi's songwriting skills got her a meeting with Eddy Kenzo, who eventually connected her to other artistes. She has written for artistes including kenzo, Nina Rose, Lydia Jazmine, Carol Nantongo, and Vinka.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
Azawi joined a band in 2015 while also working as a waiter at a restaurant her mother had started.<ref name=":1"/>
After she quit her job as a waiter, she wrote "Quinamino," with the intention of selling it,<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2"/>
Azawi's breakthrough came in January 2020 after releasing her first single, "Quinamino".<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 |date=13 December 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
In November of the same year, Swangz Avenue management signed her. She released her first single under the label in January 2020.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> She is still under the same label, and now has over 20 songs.<ref>{{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 |date=18 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Albums ===
* ''Lo Fit'' (2020) * ''African Music'' (2021)<ref name=":4">{{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 |date=2 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> * ''Sankofa''<ref>{{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}}</ref>
=== Singles === * Fwa Fwa Fwa * Party mood * Gimme * Craving you heavy * Bamututte<ref>{{Citation |title=BAMUTUTTE |date=2021-10-09 |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/2sZ4GjmmmpDqhQHg4MwxJM |language=en |access-date=2023-02-19}}</ref> * Thankful ft Benon * Majje ft Fik Fameica * Slow dancing<ref name=":5">{{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 |date=7 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> * 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<ref name=":3" /> * Crazy lover * Toast to 75 * Mbinyumirwa * Envision * Craving You Heavy Remix ft. Chike * Masavu * 10 over 10
Source:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azawi |url=https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/81434652 |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Deezer |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Awards and recognition ==
* Female Artist of the Year Janzi Awards 2021<ref name="auto">{{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}}</ref> * Outstanding Album of the Year – ''African Music'' Janzi Awards 2021<ref>{{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 |date=13 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref> * Outstanding Afro Beat/Pop Artist Janzi Awards 2021<ref name="auto"/> * Artist of the Year Buzz Teeniez Awards 2021<ref name=":3" /> * Teenz Female Artist of the Year Buzz Teeniez Awards 2021 * Teenz Hottest Songwriter Buzz Teeniez Awards 2021<ref name=":3">{{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}}</ref> * Teenz Hottest Song of the Year – "Slow Dancing" Buzz Teeniez Awards 2021<ref name=":3" /> * Teenz Flyest video – "Slow Dancing" Buzz Teeniez Awards 2021<ref name=":3" /> * Female Artist of the year Zzina Awards 2021/22<ref name=":6">{{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}}</ref> * Best Song Writer of the year Zzina Awards 2021/22<ref name=":6" /> * Best Inspirational Song – "Majje" ft Fik Fameica Zzina Awards 2021/22<ref name=":6" />
== Other activities and achievements == Azawi is now a Guinness brand ambassador.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="chimpreports.com">{{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}}</ref> This was also evidenced{{clarify|date=March 2026}} in her video for "Majje", which featured Ugandan artiste Fik Fameica<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="chimpreports.com"/> and at her recent maiden sold-out concert at Lugogo, Kampala in July 2022.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
Azawi in 2021 was featured on billboards in Los Angeles and New York City's Times Square,<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> making her the first female and third Ugandan act to appear on the billboard after Eddy Kenzo and Bobi Wine.<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref>
== See also ==
* Naira Ali * Iryn Namubiru * Mariam Ndagire * Angella Katatumba
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:21st-century Ugandan women singers Category:Living people Category:1996 births Category:Makerere University alumni Category:Ugandan songwriters Category:People from Mukono District