Before she became known as The Last Gal, Kanyunyuzi Rachel Heyzo was simply a young woman with a growing interest in music and a desire to learn what it really meant to stand behind the decks.
Her journey into DJing began in 2022 at Gong Academy, where she trained under DJ Derrick Files. Later that year, in November, she officially introduced herself to the music scene and began taking her craft seriously.
There was no overnight breakthrough.
Instead, The Last Gal’s journey has been one of learning, taking time to improve and gradually finding a sound and identity she could confidently call her own.
In her early days, many people associated her with fellow female DJ Etania. The two shared a similar energy and often moved in the same entertainment circles, leading some fans to imagine what they could achieve as a duo.
But their musical journeys eventually took different directions.
Etania found her space in Amapiano and became one of the recognisable names associated with the genre in Uganda. The Last Gal, however, was drawn towards a different world of sound.
She found herself increasingly interested in electronic music, particularly house and garage.
That decision gave her the freedom to create an identity separate from anyone else.
Just as her journey was beginning to take shape, The Last Gal decided to step away from the spotlight in 2023.
In March that year, she left Uganda to pursue further studies. But even while away, she continued learning and developing her understanding of music and DJing.
For her, the time away was not a pause in her journey. It was part of the process of becoming the artist she wanted to be.
When she returned to Uganda in February 2024, she came back with a clearer vision of who she was and the kind of music she wanted to play.
She considers that period her real breakthrough.
Rather than trying to follow the sounds dominating Kampala’s nightlife, The Last Gal focused on developing a style that stood out.
The Last Gal describes her approach to DJing as unconventional.
She says she likes to think outside the box and bring an aggressive, confident energy to her sets, focusing on music selection, transitions and the ability to take control of the crowd.
Her decision to focus on electronic music has helped set her apart in a nightlife scene largely dominated by Afrobeats, Amapiano, dancehall and Ugandan music.
Through house and garage, she has created space for herself to experiment with rhythm, movement and atmosphere.
Even her stage name comes from a personal place.
“The Last Gal” is inspired by the fact that she is the last-born in her family.
What started as a simple reference to her place in the family has now become an identity recognised on Kampala’s nightlife scene.
Four years after beginning her journey into DJing, The Last Gal is now preparing for what could be one of the biggest moments of her career.
On 2 October, she will headline her first solo rave at Guvnor Street.
The event will bring together electronic music, lighting, audiovisual production and live performance in a show designed around her sound and artistic identity.
For The Last Gal, the upcoming rave is more than just another performance.
It represents the journey from being a DJ learning behind the decks in 2022 to becoming an artist confident enough to build and headline her own experience.
Her story has not been about chasing an overnight breakthrough.
It has been about taking the time to learn, stepping away when necessary, finding the confidence to choose a different musical direction and, ultimately, building an identity that belongs entirely to her.
