Ugandan singer and songwriter Azawi has paid tribute to producer Kuseim, crediting him as a pivotal force in shaping her music career — and revealed the personal and financial journey behind her transformed smile.
The 29-year-old artist, born Priscilla Zawedde, made the remarks during a candid appearance on Kasuku Live on 19 May 2025. The popular YouTube podcast, known for its bold and humorous take on Ugandan celebrity culture, boasts a subscriber base of over 181,000.
She reflected on her rise to stardom, crediting Kuseim for producing some of her most iconic tracks, including Quinamino, Repeat It, Slow Dancing, and Party Mood.
“I don’t know how God did it and we met and bonded,” she said. “He played a very big part in my career.”
Azawi revealed that several of her early songs, including some of her biggest hits, were created before she signed with Swangz Avenue, one of the country’s top record labels. At the time, she was still navigating the industry and exploring ways to earn a living from her songwriting.
“In fact, I was going to sell Repeat It for UGX 300,000 and I needed that money,” she confessed. “I had given some of the songs to Swangz Avenue and the rest to other talent managers. Whoever was paying more is who I’d sell to.”
Investing in confidence
Beyond music, Azawi also opened up about her decision to undergo a significant dental transformation, a move she says was driven by the desire to feel more confident in her appearance.
“When I entered the music industry, I did not look good. Some people used to call me Mr Azawi,” she said, referencing public comments about her looks.
A prominent concern for the singer was a gap between her front teeth — a diastema — which she says widened after a fall during her childhood. Determined to improve her smile, she turned to a dentist named Michael, who recommended a full veneer procedure.
Azawi now has 12 dental veneers — six on her upper front teeth and six on the lower set — each costing around UGX 1 million. The entire procedure, which also included multiple root canals (at roughly UGX 800,000 each), totalled more than UGX 24 million.
She covered the full cost herself, describing it as a worthy investment. “They are permanent, can last over 40 years, and require special care — specific toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss,” she said.
For the Talking Stage hitmaker, the transformation was not just physical but emotional too. “It was costly, yes — but it changed my life,” she added.
