TAKEAWAYS

• Julius Kyazze says record labels invest heavily in artists with no guarantee of success.
• He argues labels deserve a share of an artist’s earnings because they fund promotion, marketing, and expansion.
• Swangz Avenue remains one of Uganda’s most influential labels despite recurring public criticism over artist management.

Julius Kyazze, the co-founder of Swangz Avenue, has spoken out in defense of record labels, arguing that many people misunderstand the role they play in an artist’s career.

Speaking on Prim Asiimwe’s ‘Let It Play Loud’ show, Kyazze explained that record labels operate as businesses that invest significant resources into musicians with the hope of earning returns from the few who eventually succeed.

“Out of 100 artists signed, success rate is maybe under 5%,” Kyazze said. “Globally. It’s very low. But they take a rate on a gamble on all their 100, hoping they will recover. But they lose money. It’s a business.”

According to him, many artists approach labels because they lack the financial muscle needed to promote their music, market themselves, and expand beyond their local audiences.

“So you’re a musician, but you don’t have money to promote, to market, to take you other places. So someone comes and invests in you. That’s a partnership. And then you can share the upside,” he said.

Kyazze further dismissed claims that labels should invest in artists without expecting anything in return.

“You go to a label when you need a partner. Labels are partners. You go to a label, you need a partner to give you exposure, you need a partner to invest money, you need a partner to take you to the region, whatever it is,” he explained.

He added: “Labels are not your mothers to just invest and walk away. They come and invest with an intent to make money back.”

His remarks come at a time when Swangz Avenue, despite being one of Uganda’s most successful music labels, has faced some criticism from sections of the public who accuse it of stalling some artists’ careers.

However, the label’s track record remains difficult to ignore. Over the years, Swangz Avenue has played a major role in discovering, developing, and promoting artists such as Winnie Nwagi, Azawi, Elijah Kitaka, Vinka, and Irene Ntale, helping them become household names in Uganda’s music industry.