Kampala, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Ugandan singer Priscilla Zawedde, known as Azawi, has released her second music album, ‘Sankofa,’ two years after her debut, ‘African Music.’
‘Sankofa,’ which symbolizes looking to the past to shape the future, consists of 16 tracks and a bonus song, totaling 17 songs. It was launched on October 9th on various streaming platforms.
The album was primarily produced by Bangar Boi, who contributed to over 10 of the 16 songs. Bangar Boi is known to be a student from the Swangz Academy. Azawi also collaborated with other talented producers, including Artin Pro, Groovy World, and Steve Keys, on the album.
Notably, two songs have garnered significant attention from Azawi’s fans: ‘Summer Bae,’ a collaboration with Jamaican Dancehall star Konshens, and ‘Njagala Vibe,’ featuring Kenya’s Sauti Sol.
Azawi collaborated with six male artists on the album, including Konshens, Sauti Sol, Bensol, Elijah Kitaka, and Mike Kayihura. Interestingly, she chose not to work with any female artists this time, explaining that she finds it easier to work with men because they can write their own music and are often more confident and open to new ideas.
The first music video from the album is ‘Omwenge,’ directed by Marvin Musoke. It was released a few days before the rest of the projects. The video captures scenes from local hangouts while staying true to the message embedded in the song’s lyrics, serving as a fitting introduction to the highly anticipated album.
‘Sankofa,’ Azawi’s sophomore release, pays homage to her African roots and promotes the idea of reflecting on the past to shape the future. The album blends various African rhythms, including rumba, dancehall, amapiano, bongo flava, and Afrobeats, with lyrics in English and Luganda.
The album features a stirring monologue, traditional instrumentation, and a diverse range of themes, including heritage, love, life, and spirituality. Notable tracks include “Champion from Africa,” “Egaali,” “Harder” (featuring Elijah Kitaka), “Omwenge,” “Njagala Vibe” (with Sauti Sol), and “Summer Bae” (featuring Konshens).
Azawi also explores a tropical feel in “Elevated” (with Mike Kayihura and Bensoul) and expresses a sense of unity and hope in “My God,” a prayer for the country and humanity.
🎶 The journey into the past, present, and future has arrived 🧚🏿♂️#SankofaTheAlbum is now available for you to experience 🔗 https://t.co/FqsWUmIKVu pic.twitter.com/KsogGj03lN
— Azawi (@AzawiOfficial) October 9, 2023