With successful ventures spanning entertainment, media, events, hospitality and technology, many would expect Julius Kyazze to point to one of his companies when asked about the best investment he has ever made.
Instead, the Swangz Avenue co-founder and Live54+ CEO chose a person.
Speaking during an interview on Play It Loud, Kyazze described singer Vinka as the greatest investment of his career, underscoring his belief that nurturing talent can be more rewarding than building businesses.
The entrepreneur, whose portfolio includes Swangz Avenue, Buzz Group Africa and the pan-African entertainment platform Live54+, said watching artists grow into stars gives him a sense of fulfillment that goes beyond financial returns.
Asked how he feels when he looks at what Vinka has become, Kyazze admitted that the emotions can sometimes be overwhelming.
“Lately I don’t even want to watch Vinka, or even Azawi, because I get emotional. I look at them and then I look at the audience and see what we have done together as a team. Sometimes it overwhelms you.”
For years, Swangz Avenue has earned a reputation for developing artists with patience and structure, and Vinka’s journey stands out as one of the label’s biggest success stories.
Before becoming a recording artist, Vinka worked behind the scenes as part of the Swangz team. Her transition from management to music was initially met with skepticism, but she has since grown into one of Uganda’s most celebrated female performers.
Kyazze recalled watching the singer perform at Obafest and realizing just how far she had come.
“I looked at Vinka at Obafest and I saw a star. People were screaming and I told myself, ‘You’ve done well.’”
He revealed that similar feelings arise whenever he watches fellow Swangz Avenue singer Azawi, another artist whose career has flourished under the label.
For Kyazze, the success of artists like Vinka and Azawi is proof that Uganda’s creative industry can produce world-class stars when talent is properly nurtured.
Rather than measuring success solely in profits and assets, Kyazze says some of the greatest rewards come from seeing dreams transformed into reality.
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