Appearing in a one-on-one interview on Baba TV Uganda, the “King Herself” Cindy Sanyu opened up about the differences between Uganda’s music industry and the international scene.
Cindy explained that while international artists tend to earn significantly more, they often operate under strict control from record labels.
She pointed out global stars like Rihanna as examples, noting that despite the financial rewards, their freedom is limited.
The difference with artists like Rihanna is that they earn a lot of money, but they don’t have the kind of freedom we enjoy here in Uganda.
According to Cindy, artists signed to major labels are often told how to act, speak, and dress, and may even have limited say over personal decisions such as relationships, marriage, or starting a family.
In contrast, she highlighted that Ugandan artists enjoy far more independence. They can easily switch up their music style, rebrand their image, or make personal decisions without external pressure.
“Artists here can even hire and fire their managers in case they’re not providing the results,” she noted, adding that internationally, managers are often assigned by labels. In some cases, those same managers can influence whether an artist stays or gets dropped.
When it comes to her own career, Cindy made it clear where she stands. While she appreciates the financial benefits of the global industry, freedom matters more to her.
I love my freedom, I wouldn’t want to be tossed around like a commodity.
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