"Not everything revolves around money," said Edrisah Kenzo Musuuza in response to a journalist in 2021. The Ugandan artist, widely...
"Not everything revolves around money," said Edrisah Kenzo Musuuza in response to a journalist in 2021. The Ugandan artist, widely recognized as Eddy Kenzo, had recently rejected a high-paying sponsorship offer from a European alcoholic drinks company because of his Islamic faith.The agreement, valued at $290,000—approximately one billion Ugandan shillings—caught many Ugandans by surprise. Numerous people found it hard to grasp why someone, especially a person who emerged from Kampala's impoverished neighborhoods with his 2014 hit Sitya Loss, would turn down such a significant opportunity.
However, to grasp Kenzo's determination, one must first understand the individual. For an artist who currently demands no less than $20,000 for an international performance, declining a $290,000 check is not as surprising as it seems.
In August, just a few days prior to Kenzo's performance at the CHAN finals football event in Nairobi, Bushingtone, a prominent Ugandan promoter and talent manager, stated on Uganda's Sanyuka TV that he had arranged several performances for the singer, each offering a minimum of $20,000. "The last time I collaborated with him — which was some time ago — he was demanding $25,000 for a show outside Uganda. I'm not aware of his current pricing," mentions a respected Kenyan booking agent.
Kenzo doesn't want to talk about his fees, but he acknowledges that he has become skilled at using his brand to generate financial benefits.
A 35-year-old ex-homeless individual who can now purchase anything he wants might find that money isn't everything. He doesn't show off, but his relaxed way of living tells a lot.
Refusing the alcohol sponsorship in 2021 was not the first instance where he declined an offer that most musicians would accept without hesitation. There is a clear explanation for why this two-time Grammy nominee continues to operate as an independent artist.
Warner Music proposed a $1 million deal; Sony Music matched it; Disney and Universal also showed interest."Warner Bros and Sony each offered me between $1 million and $2 million, which was, honestly, very appealing. I also got significant contract proposals from Disney and Universal. I still have all those contracts with me, but I rejected them," he reveals.
His choice, he explains, was influenced by witnessing the fate of other artists who, during their peak popularity, entered impressive deals, only to find themselves trapped by the very agreements that were supposed to bring them success. "The devil is always in the details. When a deal seems too good, ask yourself what the label is gaining from it. They'll offer you money, and they might get you to sign a 10-year contract or more. Once you sign, they take control of your entire music collection. They'll exploit you until they've recovered every penny, plus interest. It's like taking out a loan. How long will it take for them to get their money back? And when the contract ends, but they haven't fully recouped their investment yet, they still maintain control over the artist until their financial objectives are achieved. You end up being held captive by these contracts for a very long time. The contract becomes like a permanent agreement, something that lasts forever. That's why I decided to stay independent. I don't want to be a prisoner," he states.
As per the musician, the limitations go beyond just money. "When you examine artists under these major labels, they are similar to slaves. After signing those agreements, you encounter tough situations that impact your creative and financial independence. You will never create music that you desire, but only what they prefer," he further states.
Major record companies don't only provide financial support; they promote aspirations — worldwide tours, partnerships with top artists, and international acclaim.
Many artists find these promises too tempting to ignore, despite reality and numerous examples of performers contradicting them. "Their promise is always the same. But behind it lie harsh terms. That's why some performers vanish. We've seen artists sign deals worth $10 million, but where are they now? Take Tekno Miles, for example. What happened to him? He was dominating charts across Africa, then he partnered with Universal. Where is he today after that deal?" he questions.
At the height of his career, Nigerian Afrobeat artist Tekno Miles appeared unbeatable. His vocals shaped a generation through tracks such as Pana, Diana, and Rara.
Promoters rushed to secure his performances. Clubs kept playing his tracks nonstop. Fans thought he was experiencing the ultimate success. Then he disappeared. Although he still releases music, nothing has come close to his initial brilliance.
In a 2024 trending social media update, Tekno shared his challenging journey of collaborating with various global record companies."Several record labels can make you famous but leave you financially struggling, which is why I chose not to extend any contracts," he stated.
Although labels emphasized specific parts of his career, they also greatly reduced his income. "I am wealthier now and less famous, but back then, I was everywhere and had nothing," Tekno stated.
Despite his successful songs, Tekno says he only received a quarter of the income from his music. "If it were now, I could negotiate better. Back then, I didn't know how. I was everywhere, but I had nothing in my account. I only got 25 percent from my biggest songs. They gave me fame while secretly taking their share." Such reflections make Eddy Kenzo hesitant when similar offers come up. For him, independence isn't just a business move, but a life philosophy shaped during the 13 years he spent living on the streets of Kampala and developed with time. "I came from the university of understanding, meaning the streets. My parents died when I was very young; I must have been four years old. So I had to work hard to get ahead." His hustle started when he moved from Masaka to Kampala city, and since then, he has never returned. "While on the streets, I did all the odd jobs I could find, like selling water, biscuits. I worked at a construction site as a porter and later became a taxi conductor. Unlike many, I don't have much education, but I've learned a lot from the world." Although his 2014 hit Sitya Loss, which captured the joy on the streets of Kampala despite the hardship, made him internationally famous, Kenzo says his real breakthrough came earlier, in 2010. "That was when I made a song called Stamina. That was my breakout song. It was a big hit in the country. It trended for over two years and even became the theme song for the 2011 general election campaigns. That's when I started earning some money. I was able to rent a better house and even start flying for the first time. Sitya Loss took me to another level, improving my life." To date, Kenzo is arguably one of the highest-earning musicians in Uganda. He says most of the reports about his earnings and wealth are just rumors, but he does admit that financial concerns are not his main issue right now. "Don't believe everything you read about me, but regardless, I'm doing well. I have nothing to complain about financially. I own several properties thanks to this art, including a home in Seguku, one of the most green suburbs in Uganda." In recent years, Kenzo has rarely performed at home and in East Africa, but he says it's due to high bookings abroad. "Most of the time, I'm on a tight schedule because of numerous concerts overseas. I'm always traveling to other countries." Because of the tough experiences he faced at a very young age, Kenzo says he learned to be careful with money. "When you go through such hardships, it's hard to forget your past, even if you end up in a good financial position. My money lessons keep getting better with age and the exposure the world has given me, despite my limited education because I couldn't afford school fees growing up. I am very careful with my spending habits and how I deal with money. I make sure I invest in the right things. I don't drink or smoke or spend extravagantly unless I have to. Perhaps the most I spend my money on is fashion. I love to dress well, to be fashionable, it gives me a sense of confidence, and it's my way of expressing myself," he says.
Since his big break, Kenzo claims he has consistently aimed to create music that brings joy. "My music is all about happiness. Every piece I make comes from my personal experiences. I went through a lot as a child, so whenever I step into the studio, I focus on happiness. I want to bring joy to others because I know there's someone out there who is facing challenges they can't discuss. When I make music, I want to heal people because I understand what pain feels like. I choose to be positive in my songs, not bitter." This also clarifies why Kenzo, unlike many artists, has decided never to charge for music collaborations. "I have a great appreciation for art. It has transformed my life and the lives of many around me, including my management team and the Ghetto Kids dancers, among others. It gives me complete satisfaction if I can assist as many people as possible. The only thing I consider before collaborating with you is whether I truly appreciate your art." Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
