Swangz Avenue singer, Zafaran, could not keep her emotions together while she praised God for what she says is special luck.
The Sweetheart singer attended church at Pastor Wilson Bugembe’s Worship House on Sunday.
In her brief speech after Pr. Bugembe had introduced her, she said she is honored to be among the lucky artistes to be in the Swangz stable. Together with Winnie Nwagi, Vinka and Azawi, they make the roster at Uganda’s most reputable record label.
Tears ran down Zafaran’s face as she sang praise songs Nakowola Mukama and Imela.
“These are tears of joy for what God has done for me. For being at Swangz Avenue. For being in the music industry,” she told the congregation.
“I have met artistes who are well established in the industry. And they tell me ‘You should be grateful to God, because even where I am, I have hits, but I would still want to be there (at Swangz Avenue)’. I’m so grateful to God.”
Unlike many of her peers in the industry, for Zafaran, going to church is not entirely a once-in-a-blue moon. Brought up by a single mom (after the death of her dad) who was very active in church, Zafaran found herself attending church regularly. In due course, she began singing in the choir.
She has previously revealed that her role in the church choir won her a scholarship for her A-Level education.
Until she was officially unveiled by Swangz nine months ago, Zafaran was not known to the public. Even though she had hopped through different music bands as well as backing established artistes like Jose Chameleone, King Saha, John Blaq, Karole Kasita, B2C and Maureen Nantume, among others.
When Plugged caught up with her after Sunday’s church service in Nansana, she said the last nine months have been a journey of changes, transformation and “trying to make myself better as a brand”.
“I have been trying to build my identity as a new artiste,” said the singer who has since released three songs including Ankuba and Mwoto.
She considers the warm reception from the audience among her highlights so far although she admits many people know her music more than they know the face behind it.
To be signed by a record label comes with mixed expectations for every artiste. Especially in an industry teeming with self-managed artistes that struggle to rise above the dynamics required to stay relevant amid tough competition.
“It’s more than what I expected, because they dream so big,” she told Plugged of whether her expectations at Swangz were met.
Asked where her head was earlier during the praise session when tears ran through her closed eyes, she said in that very moment, she had been talking to her inner self.
“I was just grateful to God. You know, sometimes you talk to your inner man and think about the far that the Lord has brought you. And it’s not that you’re crying because you’ve remembered the sad days, but because you are happy about what God has done,” she said.
Pr. Bugembe’s sermon was anchored on a bird that is set free from a cage. And Zafaran says she related to that message. Her musical breakthrough represents freedom from that cage, she said.
