TAKEAWAYS

• Lydia Jazmine says she will pursue an international music career when the time is right.
• She revealed she started out singing in English but failed to gain widespread local support, even with a collaboration featuring Fik Fameica.
• The singer says Luganda music has enabled her to build a successful career, support her family and stage major concerts like First Born.

Songstress Lydia Jazmine has responded to critics who believe she has limited her music career by focusing mainly on the local market instead of pursuing an international audience through English-language music.

Speaking about her musical journey, Jazmine said she is fully aware of the calls for her to transition to English music but insists that everything happens at the right time.

According to the singer, the Ugandan music industry presents unique challenges for artists who primarily perform in English, as they often struggle to gain support from promoters and connect with the wider local audience.

“Everything has its own time. The opportunity to go international will come, but right now I also want to be felt on the ground. Singing in Luganda has helped me build my career and connect with my fans,” Lydia Jazmine said.

She revealed that she actually started her career recording English songs but failed to receive the recognition she had hoped for. Jazmine noted that she even released English songs, including one featuring Fik Fameica, but they did not resonate with the public.

The singer also cited veteran artist Juliana Kanyomozi as an example, saying her early English music was outstanding but did not receive widespread local support until she embraced Luganda music.

“Music in Luganda is what has enabled me to feed my family, take care of my responsibilities and even stage my ‘First Born’ concert. If you listen to my latest album, you’ll notice I’ve already started preparing for that international journey,” she added.

Jazmine emphasized that choosing Luganda over English is not about lacking ambition but making practical decisions that sustain her career while gradually positioning herself for a global audience.