23-year-old Ethiopian-born, Toronto-raised singer and dancer Andye is quickly taking the pop sphere by storm. First experimenting with music as a way to channel his energy and explore his emotions in adolescence, he wrote three tracks for his 11th grade class and instantly felt connected to the art form. With the support and help of his parents, he set off on his goals and has been laser-focused ever since. His confidence, work ethic, and positive attitude are the perfect addition to his natural abilities and growing talent — making him a true force to be reckoned with.

Writing from personal experiences, his songs are authentic and complex combinations of joy and vulnerability — with his smooth vocals landing on top. They’re the soundtracks to your living room dance parties and introspective journaling sessions. Self-reflective with cinematic production, he continues to surprise his listeners with something new every time — and his recent release, “Outta Love”, is the perfect example. Written about his best friend, it is as personal as it is universal — so it is no surprise that it has been generating an immense amount of buzz across social media platforms, particularly on TikTok.

Continuously raising the bar for himself, he dreams of collaborating with a multitude of producers and artists, breaking records, and being a household name. And we don’t doubt he’ll get there.

We had the opportunity to hear from Andye about his influences, finding his love for music, creative process of making “Outta Love”, and more.

Stream “Outta Love”…

Read the interview…

Who and what influences you to create?
Who:
1. Michael Jackson: The ability to create timeless music and his way of blending different genres. Including the impact he had on me with his vocal style, video production and stage presence.
2. The Weeknd: The raw authenticity Weeknd holds has inspired me by pushing creative boundaries and embracing vulnerability in my music.
3. My Mother: The confidence she continues to give me starting from a young age is the reason why I reached this far and will continue being influenced by her.

What:
1. Personal Experiences: My music often reflects my own personal experiences, including relationships, heartbreak, and the darker side of lust. My lyrics often dives into themes of love, lust, addiction, and introspection
2. Film and Visual Aesthetics: I am heavily inspired with striking music videos and stage performances.
3. Potential: The potential of myself inspiring the new generation in the future drives me. I always try to be ahead of myself and be prepared with my art.

How did you find your love for music?
I found love with music because it was all around me growing up, whether it’s Ethiopian music or me finding what pop music is. It did feel like first love when I first found out I like to sing. Now I can’t live a day without listening to music.

To you, what is the relationship between dance and music?
To me, the relationship between dancing and singing makes me express emotions and stories through rhythmic movement and melodic vocals.

Which came first for you, singer or dancing?
Dancing came to me first because of the culture of Ethiopia. There is a lot of dancing while listening to Ethiopian music but I fell in love with singing first.

How did your move from Ethiopia to Canada channel your creativity and aspirations?
Moving to Canada inspired me to experiment with sounds that can blend my music with Ethiopian instruments. It also inspired me by pushing myself to have a good consistent work ethic to make my family, home country and myself proud.

What are your key characteristics as a performer?
1. Captivating stage presence
2. Smooth dance moves
3. Powerful vocals
4. Engaging interaction
5. Visual aesthetics
6. Dynamic energy
7. Emotional depth

Talk us through the creative process of your latest single, “Outta Love”.
My creative process with “Outta Love” was drawing inspiration from personal experiences, experimenting with genres/sounds and complemented by self-reflecting visuals that will question love/lust.

What are you trying to convey thematically with the track?
Where infectious beats meet edgy lyrics. A bold and unapologetic exploration of the darker side of love and relationships.

Is it a sign of things to come for you stylistically?
Yes, till I the character finds a soul that can heal him.

What can we expect from your forthcoming debut project?
A hauntingly beautiful album that dives deep into the dark and twisted emotions that come with being single or in a relationship that is suffocating and unhealthy. With each track, listeners are taken on a journey through the highs and lows of a love that is both intoxicating and destructive.

Where do you want to take your artistry?
To leave a lasting legacy, continuing to innovate in music, dance, and performance while using my art to inspire the new generation. The way people say, “I want to do this like Michael” — in ten years, I want them to be like, “this sounds like Andye”. I want my music to have that type of impact.