AN aspiring hip hop producer from the Wirral has been rubbing shoulders with some of the industry\u2019s brightest stars including Rebecca Ferguson and Misha B.<\/p>\n
Andy Sibanda, 25, works as a Burger King Service Manager in Birkenhead\u2019s Grange and Pyramids Shopping Centre but his band, RealBallaz, is making big waves locally.<\/p>\n
And the three band members met with some of music\u2019s top stars at a Mobo Awards after show party in Liverpool attended by big names such as Rita Ora and Emeli Sand\u00e9.<\/p>\n
Andy says, although he loves working in Burger King, a career as a music industry producer beckons.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI have always wanted to be involved in music and probably more as a producer than an artist. I like the thought of getting music and developing it as well as guiding the artists. Getting music out to a wider audience is the challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cRealBallaz was set up by two mates, LJ and Nigel, and myself. The name is a basketball term meaning \u2018work hard, play hard\u2018. We are currently working on new songs and are nearly ready to cut a master tape.<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoy developing new ideas but as committed Christians we love to bring our love of Jesus into what we do. I\u2019m also looking after my brother and younger sister, Aaron and Thandi, who perform under the name Swovo Gang.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI\u2019m kind of managing them, helping them get their ideas down and keeping things straight. Thandi has a superb voice and almost made the live Britain\u2019s Got Talent shows when she was just 14. She\u2019s still only 15 but has a big future ahead of her I think.\u201d<\/p>\n
Derek Millar, Commercial Director for The Grange and Pyramids Shopping Centre, said: \u201cWe have a wealth of talent in and amongst the people who work at the centre and Andy is a very good example of this.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have seen them perform at the centre itself before and can vouch for the fact they are very accomplished performers so I wish him and his band every success with their music ambitions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andy says he enjoys living in the Merseyside area having arrived in the UK from Zimbabwe 10 years ago aged 15.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe needed to forge a better life with better opportunities. I completed a music engineering diploma at Carlett Park College. However, I really enjoy working at Burger King too.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to meet so many people and it really is a great place to work. I have to earn a living and it means I can work on new songs and ideas when I\u2019m not on duty.\u201d<\/p>\n
But it was getting an invite to the after show party following the Mobo (Music of Black Origin) Awards at Liverpool\u2019s Echo Arena that really galvanized Andy\u2019s desire to forge a music industry career.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI have always loved music and grew up listening to my dad\u2019s jazz records. But to mix with stars such as Rebecca Ferguson and hip hop artist Angel was a brilliant experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were invited as VIP guests to the plush party at Liverpool\u2019s Newz Bar and it\u2019s an experience I will never forget. It made me realise I wanted to work in the music industry and become a big success.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really want to develop RealBallaz and get our songs and ideas out there. But I don\u2019t see myself so much as an artist but more as a producer and that where I will be looking to make my biggest impact. Watch this space man!\u201d<\/p>\n