Local ‘boitjie’ makes his mark

Andile Hlanze is one of them. The former Steelcrest pupil and Mhluzi resident is making his mark in the music industry. He recently launched his album Trail Evolution at the stylish Tuck Shop Factory in Mhluzi.

Andile, better known as Andyboi, is currently signed with South African music giant, Soul Candi Records.

He developed his musical talent from a young age, accompanying his aunt to choir practice as a little boy. Music is not his only talent.

Andile played tennis and was ranked number one in West Mpumalanga and number three in Mpumalanga, becoming the first black player to reach this milestone. He proceeded to become the coach at the Mhluzi tennis club, before leaving for Gauteng to study.

Andyboi told of how he himself sang as lead singer in the church choir, following his aunt’s lead. As a 15 year-old student he started taking his musical talent seriously, producing house music with childhood friend Nicholas Mboweni, also known as DJ Cuebur, who produced his album.

Their dreams led them to Jozi, where Andile studied through the London School of Business. He worked as a Business Analyst and Project Administrator until August 2013, when he resigned to focus on his music full-time.

As a vocalist, Andyboi featured in chart topping songs like Usangkhumbula, a collaboration with successful artists Kid Fonque, Okmalumkoolkat and Cuebur.

His being a vocalist, DJ and producer, makes this former Middelburg resident a sought after all-rounder with the sky as the limit.

Andyboi has performed all over South Africa with the Spring Fiesta Festival, the biggest urban dance music event in SA, as one of his highlights.

His talent has also taken him to other countries such as Angola, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. His album tour will see him travel to Zambia, Lesotho and Botswana, Namibia, and Mozambique soon.

The album Trail Evolution has been a dream come true says Andyboi. The album features 12 tracks and is a mixture of different genres music such as afro, soul, deep house and tribal.

Vocals consists out of five languages Zulu, English, Sotho, Shona and Portuguese.

Keep your ears and eyes open for his most popular track Emhlabeni, currently circulating on Channel O and Trace music channel. The song has also reached number two on the MTV SA top 10.

Andyboi says that the album title, Trail Evolution, depicts from his journey on a path, that was not always easy, caused him to change into the man he currently is.

“This is my story,” he said during an interview with the Middelburg Observer.

Trail Evolution is available at leading music stores such as Musica and Look and Listen nationwide. You can also buy the album or tracks on iTunes, Beatport and Traxsource.

Search for him on Facebook under Andyboi, follow him on Twitter: @AndyboiSA on Soundcloud: Andyboi or on Instagram: AndyboiSA.