As Toronto-based R&B artist Andye enters his new era with his upcoming project, he talks his latest direction, working Yogi The Producer and Savannah Ré, his collaboration with Capella Grey and much more.
It all started with a dare.
Long before Canadian R&B artist Andye ever considered sharing his music with the world, songwriting was a deeply personal pursuit. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Toronto, he developed his musical tastes through artists such as Usher, Chris Brown and The Weeknd, artists who inspired him to begin writing and singing songs of his own. For years, however, that passion for music remained private.
Everything changed when a classmate challenged him to release a song. What seemed like a simple dare became the catalyst for a music career. Determined to prove he was for real, Andye took a leap of confidence and dropped his first song. Now, years later, Andye is entering a defining new era with his first solo full-length studio project.
When we first connected with Andye years ago, he was a hopeful newcomer, lending his voice to the “BLACK ALLIANCE” EP for a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” – alongside other artists such as Charmaine and Amaal Nux. Even then, he was a promising fresh artist with much to offer. What Andye would describe as “freestyling” his career, he relied on instinct, pouring his experiences into his songwriting, allowing his creativity to guide the way.
Without a carefully mapped out strategy, Andye bet on himself through early releases such as “Outta Love” and “Who Is She” featuring Shareef. Those records introduced listeners to a young artist discovering his voice and sound in real time. It put him on the radar, accumulating millions of streams, gaining traction on TikTok and a growing following.
As he prepares for his upcoming major-label project, Andye is embracing a stronger sense of identity. His new music feels more refined, more intentional and of course, more personal. “I’m not really holding back anymore,” he shares on his current sound. “Whether it’s heartbreak, love, or even just being in a situation I shouldn’t be in, I’m just speaking on it as it is.”
His new era became more clear when he linked with Grammy Award-winning producer Yogi and JUNO Award-winning singer-songwriter Savannah Ré. Their chemistry was immediate, leading them to write and record Andye’s project over the course of a concentrated three month-period. Working together in a comfortable and intimate space, they let their ideas and inspo flow which gave Andye the chance to step into his own. “They pushed me a lot creatively and vocally, and even emotionally,” he shares on working with Yogi and Savannah. “They’d challenge me to go deeper with what I was saying instead of just keeping it surface level.”
The project’s first single, “Centerfold,” introduces listeners to a more mature Andye. Exploring themes of passion, desire and sensual vulnerability, the warm summer-ready record offers an enticing first glimpse into the world of Andye’s new era. It’s confident, sexy, liberating and leaves much to anticipate from the full project.
“I see this new era of Andye as a journey of really learning who I am, with intention,” he shares on his latest single and new direction. “I used to feel so confused about my direction, both in music and in life, but now, music drives me to really showcase my authentic side, whether it’s in my sound or just as a person.”
For an artist whose career began with a dare and a leap of faith, Andye has arrived at a place of clarity. As every so often, a new artist emerges who pushes the continuation of the city’s legacy, with his upcoming project, Andye is stepping confidently into that conversation, positioning himself as one of Toronto’s most exciting rising stars and new voice in Canadian R&B.
I had the chance to connect with Andye ahead of the release of his project for an exclusive interview with XMPL– where we talk on his latest single “Centerfold,” working with Yogi The Producer and Savannah Ré, his upcoming project and much more. Read our interview with Andye and stream ‘Centerfold’ below.
XMPL: For new listeners, how would you describe your current sound?
Andye: I’d say my current sound is more honest and intentional with an R&B sound to it. I’m not really holding back anymore. Whether it’s heartbreak, love, or even just being in a situation I shouldn’t be in, I’m just speaking on it as it is.
It’s just me being more open and not filtering myself as much.
XMPL: How would you describe your music journey since the “Black Alliance” EP?
Andye: In all honesty, it’s been a roller coaster. My music has always been tied to who I am, so as I was figuring myself out, the music was changing too. There were highs where things felt like they were working, and lows where things weren’t really connecting the way I wanted.
I had to really take a step back and ask myself what kind of artist I actually want to be. And I realized I wasn’t fully being myself before. I was holding back a bit.
Now I’m pushing myself to be more real in everything, and I think that’s why things are starting to connect more.
XMPL: What’s been your biggest lesson throughout your journey?
Andye: Probably learning how to actually be myself, but in a real way.
Growing up, I felt like I had to fit in a lot, so that kind of carried into my music too. I wasn’t fully comfortable just being me.
Now I’ve gotten to a point where I’d rather just be honest and let people take it how they take it. If it connects, it connects. That’s been the biggest shift for me.
XMPL: What have been your creative influences lately?
Andye: Honestly, it’s been my own life. The music I connect with the most now is when I’m writing about things I’ve actually been through. Whether it’s love, heartbreak, or just certain moments, it all comes from real experiences.
I like that because even though people can relate to it, for me it’s also personal. It represents where I was at that time.
XMPL: How did your collab “My Type” with Capella Grey come together?
Andye: That was around the start of my rebrand. I wanted to make something that felt like a real summer record—something people could play at parties or in the club.
Once I had it, I knew it needed the right feature, and Capella made sense. When my team reached out and he was down, it was kind of surreal, especially because I actually listen to him.
When he came to Toronto and we worked, it just felt natural. He brought a lot to the record, and I appreciated the whole experience.
XMPL: What was it like shooting the music video for “My Type”?
Andye: It was honestly just fun. It felt like a real party more than a shoot. A lot of good energy, a lot of people, and one of the scenes was at an actual party in Toronto.
We even performed the song there, so it didn’t feel staged. It just felt like a moment.
XMPL: Tell us about your latest single.
Andye: The first single is Centerfold. It’s inspired by sensual R&B, which is the type of music I’ve always liked. I wanted to make something that feels intentional and sets a mood. I also challenged myself vocally on it, especially with the falsetto.
It’s one of those songs you can just vibe to, whether you’re by yourself or with someone.
XMPL: What’s the inspiration and vibe of your project?
Andye: With this project, I wanted to show a more mature and emotionally aware side of myself.
There’s a mix of everything—some songs are more fun and lighter, and others are more vulnerable and honest. I want people to feel like they can relate to it in different ways.
At the same time, I’m also showing range. There’s R&B, some hip-hop influence, Afro vibes, different sounds. I don’t want to be boxed into one thing. It’s just me showing different sides of who I am.
XMPL: Can we expect visuals?
Andye: Yeah, definitely. Music videos, visualizers, all of that.
I grew up watching a lot of visuals, so that’s always been important to me. Whether it’s something cinematic or something simple, I just like bringing the music to life visually.
XMPL: What was it like working with Savannah Ré and Yogi The Producer?
Andye: It felt really natural, like working with friends.
They pushed me a lot creatively and vocally, and even emotionally. They’d challenge me to go deeper with what I was saying instead of just keeping it surface level.
At the same time, they respected me and let me lead when it felt right. That balance meant a lot.
We built everything in a really comfortable space, so it didn’t feel forced. It felt genuine.
XMPL: Can you describe the creative process behind the project?
Andye: It was very relaxed. We were working out of a living room, so it felt like home. A lot of it started with me just saying how I felt or what kind of record I wanted to make, and then Yogi would build something quickly from that.
Then me and Sav would start writing and building melodies. She pushed me to be more detailed and more honest with what I was saying. It was a very natural back-and-forth.
XMPL: What’s the story behind the name of the project?
Andye: The pending title for the project is currently “6:25.”
It’s my birthday, June 25, but it also has a deeper meaning. As an angel number, it represents new beginnings and something coming into your life.
I also kept seeing that number everywhere, so it felt like it was meant to be. It just felt right.
XMPL: What are your goals with this release?
Andye: My main goal is to build a real community around the music. I want people to connect with it, and I want to grow a fanbase that actually feels what I’m putting out.
That way I can perform more and really build that connection in real life too.
XMPL: Are there artists or producers you’d like to work with?
Andye: Yeah, for sure. Chris Brown has always been a dream. Also artists like Giveon, Bryson Tiller, and KWN. Producer-wise, I’d love to work with Boi-1da.
I think those would all be really natural collaborations.
XMPL: Anything unexpected fans can look forward to?
Andye: Yeah, I’ve got some features on the project that I’m keeping as surprises for now.
Aside from that, it’s really about the single Centerfold and getting out there performing and connecting with people. That’s the main focus right now.
