Andy Keys represents eMbalenhle at Idols SA

eMBALENHLE – Andile Hleza, also known as Andy Keys, hopes to make his township, eMbalenhle, proud on the Idols SA show.

He won a gold ticket at the Pretoria Audition which qualifies him for the next stage of the popular music competition.

He said it was God’s intervention that allowed him to go through to the next stage and that Dr Malinga, guest judge, saved him from the worst when he sang with him during his audition.

Andy Keys said nerves took over and he was quite overwhelmed to see the Idols judges who he grew up admiring.

“I am grateful to the Lord that I made it to the theatre and I am looking forward to this journey.

“Idols SA is huge and it is a tough competition due to the level of talent in our country.

“My Idols journey has been a tough and an eye-opening experience, because I had to search deep and find out who Andy Keys is.

“ I had to use my voice as much as I play the piano and I had to prove to people that I can sing.

“Idols needs you to be sober minded, because you have to work hard and do vocal training and grasp as much as you can from those teaching you.”

Andy Keys is a local pianist, singer and composer.

He is a versatile musician and performs various genres, such as Afro-pop, Afro-soul and Gospel music.

He has shared a stage with many South African music giants, such as Nathi Mankayi, Vusi Nova, Lira, Ricky Rick, Danny K and Euphonik, and has had a joint track with Big Nuz.

He recently worked with Maraza on one of his singles.

Andy Keys described himself a “crazy and loud”, but this shy 19-year-old self-taught musician said his father has contributed a lot to his music career.

He thanked God, his family and everybody who believed in his dreams.

“I believe that God will make my dreams come true. I want to change my background so that the generation that follows me will see success vividly.

“I’m planning to do that by being successful in my music career.”