Eddy Kenzo: I never imagined I would win BET Award
Ugandan superstar Eddy Kenzo has opened up about his historic 2015 BET Award win, admitting that he never thought such recognition was possible for an artist from East Africa.
Speaking about the milestone at a local TV station on Friday night, August 29, 2025, Kenzo said he grew up believing global stages like Hollywood were out of reach.
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“You know, I didn’t know I would ever be nominated in the BET, because we all grew up thinking we could not reach Hollywood,” he said. “So one day I worked hard and was nominated. After being nominated, I didn’t know I would come close to winning.”
In 2015, Kenzo beat top African acts to win the BET International Viewer’s Choice Award, making history as the first East African artist to bag the prestigious accolade.
“After winning, it was a dream come true. I went to the US, picked up the award, and came back and showed our people because we all never expected we would have a BET in our country,” he recalled.
Music collaborations
Furthermore, Kenzo revealed why he does not demand payment when collaborating with other artists.
Speaking about his approach to music partnerships, Kenzo said his passion for art and the need for genuine creativity outweigh any financial consideration.
“I don’t charge for collabos. I really do appreciate art; there’s no way I will charge for collabos,” he explained.
According to the Sitya Loss hitmaker, his decision to work with another artist is not based on money but on mutual inspiration and respect for talent.
“I can’t do a collabo with someone that I can’t trust will do a good job. I also have to be inspired in some way. The only way we can do a collabo is after I appreciate what you do, no matter whether you are just upcoming, as long as you have something that I admire,” he said.
Kenzo emphasised that collaborations should aim at producing quality music through synergy.
“I can’t charge because I also want to collaborate and make sure we bring something good together. Two heads are better than one,” he noted.
Over the years, Kenzo has collaborated with numerous artists across Uganda and beyond, a journey he attributes to his respect for artistry and the spirit of teamwork.
“I have worked with many artistes and I appreciate all of them,” he added.
