Singer

Azariel

Azariel, whose real name is Kristoff Azariel Sauns, is a Guyanese dancehall artist and songwriter known for his clever lyrics, catchy songs, and unapologetic use of Guyanese slang. Also known as Lwlss, or Lawless Boss, he has carved out a place in Guyana’s music scene by embracing his cultural identity rather than simply copying sounds from elsewhere. Beyond music, he has built a professional career in aircraft maintenance engineering, making his journey particularly interesting.

Early Life and Background

Azariel was born on September 18, 1995, and grew up in Crane, on the West Coast of Demerara, Guyana. His connection to his home country has remained an important part of his identity and musical style.

His interest in music developed while he was still young. He wrote lyrics and recorded early ideas on his phone, sharing them with friends and family to hear their opinions. His cousin, the Guyanese artist Stiffy Stiff, eventually encouraged him to take his talent into a professional recording studio. At the time, Azariel was also studying aeronautical engineering, so pursuing music meant balancing two very different ambitions.

Music Career and Rise to Fame

Azariel began recording professionally at AJ Records, working with Guyanese producer and sound engineer Adrian Johnson. One of his early releases was “Gym Body,” featuring Stiffy Stiff. He continued developing his sound, drawing on dancehall while keeping his natural Guyanese accent and expressions in his lyrics.

His major breakthrough came with “Tint,” a humorous dancehall track about a driver being questioned by police over a heavily tinted car. The song’s relatable storyline and distinctly Guyanese flavour helped it gain widespread attention online. By August 2021, it had passed one million YouTube views, a milestone Azariel described as significant for Guyanese dancehall. The track later surpassed two million views, according to Guyana’s cultural registry.

In April 2020, he released his debut album, Lwlss, a 14-track project distributed by Lwlss Entertainment. Later that year, he appeared on BBC Radio 1Xtra’s A Caribbean Christmas, hosted by Seani B, giving his music exposure beyond Guyana. Other tracks associated with him include “Real Guyanese,” “Tint Pt. 2 (Strip),” and “64 Bars.”

Career Beyond Music

Azariel is also an FAA-certified aircraft maintenance engineer. Managing a technical profession alongside music has required him to divide his time between work and creative projects. He has explained that his engineering career sometimes limits the time he can dedicate to music.