Nkosilesisa Ncube, Sunday Life Reporter
SOUTH Africa-based rapper and sound engineer, Mlue Jay has partnered Chicago, USA producer Andrew Anderson who has produced for international names such as the Atlantic records and producing soundtracks for world famous television shows such as One Tree Hill, Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Ellen.
The collaboration between Mlue and Anderson came after the latter contacted Mlue on Facebook , expressing interest in the two of them working together.
“It all started on Facebook. Andrew Anderson sent me a friend request then he later messaged me and introduced himself.
Well, I know Andrew Anderson but I did not think it was Andrew the producer from Chicago messaging me.”
“I didn’t mind him because I thought it was one of those typical Facebook pranks, I then decided to check his profile and I saw it is the real Anderson. I replied him, we got talking, he sent me a beat and I have been working on it since,” said Mlue.
“Mlungisi. I see that you are an artiste and I feel like we could make a dope track together. If there is anything you want to get on, let me know, we can work something out”, reads Anderson’s message to Mlue.
The Zimbabwean added that the track was not yet out but would come as the second single in his upcoming album, Picture Paint. He however, could not disclose the title of the track, adding that the world would know the title of the song when it drops.
He expressed great excitement about the collaboration, highlighting that few people from the country ever get opportunities to work alongside one of the best international producers in the industry.
“It feels great because I did not see this coming, I mean very few local artistes get this opportunity and this kind of international recognition. It is also very humbling to be recognised by someone as big as Andrew Anderson, and I can see a lot of opportunities opening from this. This Partnership will help me by growing my name across the world into something more than just a local or regional brand. I might even get more collaborations after this.”
Apart from the collaboration with Anderson, Mlue is working on his album which is set to drop later this year. He is also working on a collaboration with Durban Finest’s Smalls Money Maker of the Money Maker fame. The track is set to be released on 30 January.
Having started his professional rapping career in 2010, Mlue has an EP and an album, On the Rise and The Come Up respectively to his name and lists South African artistes Casper Nyovest and K.O as the rappers he looks up to.
@nkocykay