Showbizuganda

Tag: Azawi

  • AI Innovations in Ugandan Music Industry Raise Questions of Creativity and Copyright Protection

    AI Innovations in Ugandan Music Industry Raise Questions of Creativity and Copyright Protection

    The introduction of AI innovations in Uganda’s music industry has sparked both enthusiasm and controversy. Azawi recently released her song Masavu, which was later remixed by Eyo Shata and featured the late Mowzey Radio. What sets this remixed version apart is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to add Radio’s vocals posthumously.

    The incorporation of AI in music production opens up new avenues for creators, enabling them to collaborate with artists who have passed away or to explore different voices and styles. In this case, Eyo Shata’s decision to include Radio’s vocals not only pays homage to the late icon but also showcases the potential of AI in music creation.

    However, the use of AI in this manner raises significant concerns regarding creativity and copyright protection. While Azawi’s song demonstrates innovation and artistic expression, it also blurs the boundaries of ownership and raises questions about the rights of original creators. In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, it is crucial to establish clear legal frameworks that safeguard the integrity of artistic works.

    In Uganda, creators are not fully protected by copyright laws that could safeguard their intellectual property rights. These laws would grant creators exclusive rights over their original works, including music compositions and recordings. However, the emergence of AI technologies complicates these legal frameworks, necessitating updates and adaptations to address new challenges.

    The AI Act, which has been implemented in the European Union, establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for the advancement and implementation of AI technologies. Its primary objective is to ensure that AI systems are used in a transparent, accountable, and ethical manner, while also fostering innovation and competitiveness. As Uganda explores the intersection of AI and creativity, policymakers can draw inspiration from initiatives such as the AI Act to effectively address legal and ethical concerns.

    When we examine the careers of both Azawi and the late Mowzey Radio, we gain insight into the evolving landscape of Ugandan music. Although Azawi has not yet achieved the same level of success as Radio, her trajectory indicates a promising future. Both artists share a deep passion for music writing and composition, contributing to the creation of popular songs for themselves and other artists.

    By embracing AI technology in her music, Azawi opens up endless possibilities for her career. If she continues to innovate and nurture her creativity, she has the potential to reach new heights in the music industry. As trailblazers like Azawi push the boundaries of traditional practices, the future of Ugandan music shines brightly, driven by a combination of talent, technology, and legal protections that safeguard the rights of creators.

  • Azawi, Vinka & Guinness highlight Budo League Season Six Finale

    Azawi, Vinka & Guinness highlight Budo League Season Six Finale

    Kampala: The highly anticipated Budo League Season Six Finale took place on Sunday, July 23, at the renowned Legends Grounds in Lugogo, and it was a day filled with intense football action and electrifying entertainment.

    The event, sponsored by Guinness, saw teams battling head-to-head from 8 am in the morning, determined to secure good positions on the league table.

    As the sun set over the Legends Grounds, the final match of the season unfolded between two formidable teams, End Game and Thazoballo. The tension was profound as the two teams went head-to-head in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout where End Game secured a 3-2 victory.

    The jubilant celebrations were further enhanced by a stunning firework display that lit up the night sky.
    The night also had awards presented by Guinness the league sponsor to individuals that had been exceptional throughout the season.

    Grace Nzaala earned the accolade of the Guinness Goalkeeper of the Season and the Golden Glove for achieving the cleanest sheets of the season. Phillip Lamunu was crowned Defender of the Season, while Joel Ssengendo claimed the Top Scorer award. Joshua Ssengendo was honored with the Best Midfielder award, and Eva Nakasiga was awarded the Women’s MVP title.

    As the football fans rejoiced in the triumph of End Game and the recognition of outstanding players, the entertainment segment of the evening took center stage. The crowd was treated to exhilarating performances by some of Uganda’s biggest female artistes, Azawi and Vinka, who were accompanied by Elija Kitaka.

    Elija and Vinka set the stage on fire with their collaboration, Tutu Mama before Vinka wowed the audience with her solo performances of hit songs like Sure, Love Panic, Malaika, By the Way, Ketchup, and her latest chart-topping track, Bailando. The grounds erupted in cheers as Azawi took over the spotlight, belting out her smash hit My Year followed by Lo Fit, Repeat It, Quinamino, Bamututte, and Party Mood.” The night reached its crescendo with Majje Azawi’s hustler’s anthem, leaving the entire audience dancing and singing along.

    After the performances, the excitement continued well into the night with DJ Sesse taking over the turntables. The popular DJ delivered a mix of infectious beats, keeping the revelers grooving.
    The Budo League is a bi-weekly Sunday Football League and social networking event designed for the alumni of Kings College Budo.

    The league brings together former classmates, fostering camaraderie and connections beyond their academic years. Each team in the league corresponds to a specific class year, with outfits typically comprising nine to ten players, with the inclusion of a female player if available.

  • PHOTOS: Kampala’s Fourth Edition Of Ice Cream And Cake Festival Was Lit

    PHOTOS: Kampala’s Fourth Edition Of Ice Cream And Cake Festival Was Lit

    After a four-year hiatus, the Ice Cream and Cake Festival returned with a 4th edition at Uganda Museum on Sunday 13th May 2023.

    The eventful day out was full of fun, excitement, and jamming as revelers attended in big numbers.

    It was more of an ice cream affair for kids than for parents who preferred beers forgetting the events code.

    Dj Etania aka the life of a party in her green-colored wigs excited the kids who with his size blended in with them on stage as they danced  Amapiano as well as taking them through a dance class

    It was such a nice moment for kids who run away from their parents to hook up with Etania on stage to dance Amapiano.

    The ice cream-leaking slay queens couldn’t help testing all the flavors of ice cream that were in place.

    Zafaran’s performance was the icebreaker, her vocals warmed up the crowds hence melting revellers hearts.

    As it got dark, it was more of a mature situation and parental guidance for those who came with children as some couples had started groping in the crowds.

    There was much noise when Vinka stepped on stage, however amidst her performance; the power went off, killing the vibes of the revellers.

    With a lot of disappointment from the technicians, the look-alike stressed Vinka came back on stage with all smiles to finish up what she started.

    At this time (9:00 pm) those with kids had started getting tired, some parents were seen covering them on the ground to sleep as they waited for more performances.

    Azawi’s performance was icing on the cake as she put up a show-stopping performance while engaging the crowds and calling up challengers as she performed the Bamututtedda song.

  • Benon, Azawi & Vampos highlight Guinness Bright House experience in Jinja

    Benon, Azawi & Vampos highlight Guinness Bright House experience in Jinja

    Jinja: The Guinness Bright House, an empowering platform for creatives to collaborate and shine brightest made a mark in Jinja on Saturday. The venue of the Eastern tour was the monumental source of Nile, at Nile Park.

    The experience kicked off with a day mode that saw creatives treated to a buffet of creative outlets in the spaces of fashion, music, art and sports. This included among other activities a live art painting session with celebrated visual artist Kwizera. He also gave an art masterclass on what passionate young artists can do to grow a step closer to realising their artistic dreams.
    In his masterclass, Benon Mugumbya, a veteran music producer that needs no introduction, talked creatives through the simplest ways of making music and how technology can enhance those dreams.
    Benon’s masterclass saw creatives witness the live creation of what can possibly be a “hit” song when he put digital content creator and comedian Uncle Mo on the spot and the two created “Makanika we Kireka”.

    The song was recorded and mastered live on stage and had revellers instantly singing along.
    The day mode of the Bright House also included a sports masterclass by Jinja’s very own Coach Ayub and Fufa’s Shawn Mubiru. The two spoke passionately about the talent that Jinja has and how leadership can harness it. They also talked directly to the young sports enthusiasts about passion and commitment and how it change life for the better.

    However, the highlight of the experience came in during the night mode that saw the revellers treated to dancehall royalty Vampino. Whether it was nostalgia or vibes, Vampino awakened everyone’s inner dancer when he threw an exhilarating performance of some of his smash hits like Smart Wire, Kwekunyakunya and Love to Dance.

    But that was not all. The surprise of the night was when Benon who is the other half of now defunct Benon and Vampos duo joined his former groupmate on stage sending revellers into a frenzy with a performance of the 2007 hit song I know and Locomotive an all-star song that both featured on, among others.
    Speaking about the Bright House, Elizabeth Mutamuliza, the Guinness Uganda Brand Manager emphasised the essence of the experience and what the brand intends for it to achieve.

    “The idea of the Bright House is to not only bring creatives under one roof to dialogue but to also to foster collaboration and have industry luminaries motivate up-and-coming creatives,” she said.

    “I am very excited that the Guinness Bright House has finally made its way to Jinja. This is one of the cities that I have been looking forward to because as we have witnessed, it is a city that is creative at heart and I knew having the Bright House here would be impactful,” she said.

    The night was closed of by non-other than Azawi who performed alongside her band. The songbird took revellers on a journey of musical bliss with songs like My Year, Quinamino, Repeat It and Majje among others.

    When Azawi got off-stage, revellers were left in the safe hands of DJ Ali Breezy to dance and enjoy the night away.

  • Azawi highlights Guinness Bright House in Gulu

    Azawi highlights Guinness Bright House in Gulu

    Kampala: Saturday was a day to remember for creatives in Northern Uganda as Guinness Uganda’s Bright House cast the spotlight on the region’s shining stars.

    Launched in August in Kampala, the Bright House that not only celebrates but also provides a platform for creatives to interact with industry leaders in the arts and collaborate with each other is now on a countrywide tour, with Gulu being the first stop.

    The event that took place at the Innovation Village in Gulu City was a melting pot for creatives ranging from visual artists to painters, recycling artists, musicians, fashion designers, footballers and digital content creators among others.

    Drapped in Guinness colours of black and gold, the venue was a walk through the world of art and creativity with exhibitions from Simon Sai_arts, Dorset, Lagen, a fashion showcase from Fixbyoringa and cultural dance exhibitions from TAKs Art Center.

    Activities kicked off at exactly 3pm with a sports masterclass from coach Agogo, a football star who has over the years skilled many youths and gotten them off the streets to follow their soccer passion. His presentation was followed by a videography master class by famous music video director and film maker Saha Vybz who took revellers through his journey of videography and how he prepares for his music videos.

    He talked about how to make a perfect video which included; developing a concept, studying other videos for inspiration, finding the best film crew, make a story board among others.

    After this was an art and fashion masterclass and showcase that saw Gulu’s Fixbyoringa take to the runway in a 10-minute fashion bliss.

    The young entrepreneur spoke of commitment and consistency as the two things that have enabled her venture successfully into the fashion world.This was later followed by a music masterclass that was moderated by Swangz Avenue’s legendary producer Benon Mugumbya and Gulu’s very own Adongo.

    Benon created music live on stage while Adongo spoke to the music dreamers about what one can do to stay in the game.Speaking to the press at the event, Guinness Uganda Brand Manager Prudence Vera Mutembei explained why Guinness is doing the Bright House Tour.

    “What we have experienced in Gulu today is what we set out to achieve as a brand. We aimed to create a space where creatives can meet and collaborate with one another, but also a platform that gives us the opportunity as a brand to meet and interact with our consumers as they engage in what they are passionate about,” she said.

    As the sun set, creatives were introduced to the night mode of the Bright House that included performances from Gulu’s best acts Polite Mosko, Adongo and DJs Emma and Joel. This upped the tempo for headliner Azawi who performed with her band, giving Gulu a glimpse of the magic she unleashed at her recent album launch.

    She kicked off her performance with My year, Crazy Lover, Ache For You, Quinamino, Fwa Fwa, Lo Fit and did other bangers like Repeat It, Slow Dancing and Party Mood, closing her set with Majje, a feature done with rapper Fik Fameica in collaboration with Guinness.The Guinness Bright House is expected to head to other parts of the country next year.

  • Azawi & her band set to headline Guinness Bright House tour in Gulu

    Azawi & her band set to headline Guinness Bright House tour in Gulu

    The Guinness Bright House is in Gulu this weekend and Quinamino star Azawi is set to grace the Guinness stage together with her band for the first edition of the tour that is taking place at the Innovation Village in Gulu City.

    Azawi’s selection for Gulu does not come as a surprise as the singer is not only one of the biggest artistes in the country at the moment but also a Guinness brand influencer.

    She will be hitting the stage alongside Gulu’s very own Polite Mosko, Adong, DJ Emma, and MC Lucky among others. The event that is part of the brand’s pan African Black Shines Brightest campaign that seeks to support, highlight, and collaborate with creatives all over the continent who are doing amazing things in the different creative spaces that they occupy.

    The Gulu edition will see the brand shine a light on creatives in Gulu who are doing amazing things including Sai_Arts, Dorset, Ursula, Lagen, Lonnah Crochet and the TAKS Art Center among others.

    “The Guinness Bright House is a platform that we created to shine a light on the people who are doing things differently in the creative space, we believe we have those that are shining brightest in Gulu, and we are very proud that we will be collaborating with them,” remarked the Guinness Uganda Brand Manager Prudence Vera Mutembei.

    Access to the Bright House is by invite only, however creative enthusiasts can visit the Guinness_ug social media platforms to win themselves invites.

  • Fans Treated To Memorable Experience As Afro Jazz On The Nile Show Launches

    Fans Treated To Memorable Experience As Afro Jazz On The Nile Show Launches

    By Our Reporter

    The inaugural edition of the Afro Jazz on the Nile show has been launched.

    Organized by Amplify AB Impex Limited, it was officially launched during a ceremony held at The X-Hub in Najjera on Friday evening.

    Speaking at the launch, Douglas Atukunda, the Event Coordinator, noted that the way music is consumed has evolved, and so have the music tastes hence the need to find new ways to deliver musical experiences.

    “Jazz music has always been a preserve for less adventurous spaces, something to only be enjoyed behind closed doors by people with a foreign taste. However, the music palate for most affluent Ugandans has evolved and their sense of adventure along with it. Birthing the need for a jazz experience tailor-made for their progressive tastes.” Douglas Atukunda noted.

    Afro Jazz on the Nile show will be a fusion of Afro-Pop & Jazz with a touch of the new school vibe.

    “We want to use Jazz music to promote the rich African culture and heritage of the Nile, it’s people all while shinning a bright light on the East, Jinja in Particular. Afro Jazz on the Nile will be a biannual show and will be held in April and November.” He added.

    The inaugural show will take place on Saturday, 12th November at Sailing Club in Jinja. It will feature live performances from Naava Grey, Kenneth Mugabi, Irene Ntale, King Saha and Azawi among others.

  • Pictorial: Azawi shines bright at her maiden concert

    Pictorial: Azawi shines bright at her maiden concert

    Kampala: All roads led to the Lugogo Grounds on Friday night as singer Azawi staged her maiden concert, filling the venue with thousands of her fans who showed up in support of the singing sensation.

    With two years of non-stop hits and Guinness backing, Azawi’s big night was set to be a success from the onset.

    Azawi kicked off the first part of her performance amid a fireworks display at exactly 10pm with her 2021 hit song My Year.

    This was followed by bangers like Crazy Love, Ache For You, and Gimme off her Maiden album African Music.

    She also paid homage to her label Swangz Avenue’s co-founder Benon Mugumbya by performing a Benon and Vampos classic I Know with the duo.

    The star also paid tribute to fallen star Radio by performing Nyubani with both Viboyo and Weasel.

    However the highlight of this first session was her performance with Winnie Nwagi aka Fire Baby which sent revellers into a frenzy.

    That upped the tempo for the second part of her performance with songs like Party Mood, Slow Dancing, Fwa Fwa and Lo Fit that got the crowd singing along word for word. This was climaxed with Majje, a collaboration she did with Fik Fameica in partnership with Guinness Uganda.

    Speaking to journalists at the concert, Guinness Uganda Brand Manager, Elizabeth Mutamuliza explained that the brand’s interest in Azawi is much bigger than just the concert.

    “Azawi is a Guinness Brand Influencer for our Black Shines Brightest Campaign, a campaign that seeks to celebrate individuals who in their different sectors have reshaped culture; individuals that are made of more and go the extra mile. You will agree with me that when it comes to music Azawi has done just that. So, this concert is one of the many projects we have worked on and will continue to work on with her,” she said.

    As she took a bow, Azawi thanked her loyal fans for turning up to her first show and showing their support and appreciation for her music.

    “Thank you all for coming out, thanks for the support. You guys have definitely made this my year!” Azawi said.

    She also urged fans to take the same spirit to Fik Fameica’s show that is slated for some time next month.The show also saw some very exceptional performances from APass, Zex Bilangilangi, Karole Kasita, Elijah Kitaka and Pia Pounds.

  • Guinness sets the stage for Azawi to shine Brightest in maiden concert

    Guinness sets the stage for Azawi to shine Brightest in maiden concert

    Multi-talented singer, songwriter Pricilla Zawedde aka Azawi is set to hold her maiden concert just two and a half years after her breakthrough on the music scene.

    It will be the first major concert by a solo Ugandan act following a two-year lockdown occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Azawi’s concert is supported by Guinness Uganda and will take place on Saturday July 22nd at the Lugogo Grounds.

    Guinness’ interest in the concert does not come as a surprise as the star is linked to the brand as an influencer for the Pan African Black Shines Brightest Campaign.

    She has collaborated with the brand on different projects including the launch of her album, the release of her hit song Majje off her maiden album African Music and recently the Guinness Bright House Experience where she delivered a music master class.

    Speaking about the brand’s interest in Azawi and the concert, Guinness Uganda Brand Manager Elizabeth Mutamuliza explained that collaborations with culture shapers and talented individuals making waves across Africa like Azawi is the whole gist of their Black Shines Brightest Campaign.

    “As Guinness, our interest in this partnership with Azawi on the African Music Concert stems from our Black Shines Brightest Campaign and mantra that speaks to collaborations with talented individuals that are out here shaping and reshaping culture with their creative works which is something that Azawi has excelled in as she continues to break barriers in Uganda’s the music industry and beyond,” Mutamuliza said.

    The star has promised to take revellers through some of her biggest songs off her maiden album “African Music”.

    She will also be accompanied by an incredible line up of artists including singer Eddy Kenzo, dancehall star A Pass and hip-hop star Fik Fameica.

    Tickets to the show are going for 30k early bird and 50k at the gate for general tickets while VIP tickets are going for 80k early bird and 100k at the gate with a table of eight people going for Shs2.5m.

  • Johnnie Walker sets up Azawi to headline La Terraza grand opening

    Johnnie Walker sets up Azawi to headline La Terraza grand opening

    The music industry’s hottest kids on the block, Azawi and Zulitums, are slated to thrill revelers at the grand opening of La Terraza Bar and Lounge.

    The Johnnie Walker sponsored mega opening is set for tomorrow, March 10th, 2022.

    The environs of the lounge will not be new to Kampala’s party loving demographic as they will be occupying space formerly occupied by Sky Lounge.

    The rooftop lounge party is to be kept in motion all night by city deejays Kasbaby, Dash, Fem and Tonny.

    The lounge’s grand opening is expected to be highly coveted as seasoned organizers eventix marketing and muchachos will partner with Johnnie Walker to take charge of the night’s proceedings.

    This comes in the event that Johnnie Walker has been refurbishing popular upscale nightspots in Kampala with the premium scotch whiskey’s branding in order to give the hangouts a much more polished and premium feel.

    La Terraza is anticipated to be one of Kampala’s hottest nightspots as it is projected to give the upscale, fun loving party animals some of the finest and most innovative party experiences offered in the capital.