This week's ZAlebs playlist is going to be mixed by the talented DJ Andy X. Andy X is one of the country's hottest house DJs and his mixes can be heard at some of the biggest clubs and parties in the country, as well as on the popular music channel, Channel O. Andy X has been kind enough to mix our exciting ZAlebs playlist but before we listen to it, we decided to find out a little more about the DJ.

How did it all begin?

It started when I finished high school, and I was interested in radio, so I went to Pretoria and studied broadcasting for a year, I came back and started applying for work at alll the radio stations. At this point I was telling myself that this is where I want to be and I think for almost a year I was hunting. Eventually, I got a break with a  Durban youth radio, which was a community radio station based in KZN. That’s where I started and I began by doing the weekend breakfast show which was only on Saturdays. From there I moved on and began doing the party slot. The idea came to me to have a Strictly Dance show and this show was given the Saturday 12-3 slot, and most of the Joburg guys came to the show when they were down in Durban. I was dealing with strictly house music, and back then there weren't a lot of shows on radio which played that genre. From there I started playing gigs and growing my brand and I was getting more recognition from being Andy X, rather than just some radio guy. So I told myself that it's time to leave radio and focus on my DJ-ing.

Where did the name Andy X, come from?

One of the guys that was doing breakfast show, named Archie Majolla, told me that my real name, Andile Xolo was not funky enough and that we need to come up with something more catchy. We cut my surname down and that's how Andy X was born. I still really like it because it's still my name, just not the full name. 

What gave you the initial push?

Well when people started supporting me, and when I started getting more bookings in different venues around Durban. I knew that I was doing something right because at the time it was difficult to start out without a manager, without knowing the work of the publisher. You're on your own, and you hope you'll be discovered and get a job. So when business started booming it gave me that push that I have to keep doing what I do, because out there, people believe in me and are willing to pay me to perform.

Have you played on other countries and if so which country/ countries have played at?

I've mostly played in the neighbouring countries; I started in Swaziland where I used to play in the 24 hour party that takes place on the 31st of December. I’ve also played In Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Algeria.  I always make sure that if I get to a country like Algeria, where they don’t understand the lyrics of the songs, that I give them a good time and entertain them. They just want to have a great time and I do what I can to ^.

What do you do outside of the dance music scene?

I work for a production company which produces a lot of shows for M.net and especially Vuzu and Channel-O. On Vuzu we were behind the show, V-entertainment and we have worked with Big Brother . We do a lot of shows for Mzansi magic, like your top 10 at 10 and  another show that we started recently called groover. I'm also a resident DJ for Channel-O's Video Mix show.  

What challenges do you experience when producing your own music?

Producing music is like coming up with a new concept, hoping that people will like it. You sit and listen to the song and you find yourself loving the song, only to find out that people don’t really love the song as much as you do. You must always try to come up with something different and sometimes there are songs that you put in the album just for fun, and at a later stage you realise that people actually love the song.

How did it feel to perform with the likes of DJ Fresh, Glen Lewis, Christos? Did you ever expect to perform with such leading SA DJs?

You know I never thought that I would perform with them!  I was that guy in the club who was a resident Dj, and I would discuss with the owner of the club that they should bring the big Dj’s like your Fresh, Glen Lewis, because at that time there wasn't much appeal for international house music. So through that persistence that's how I got to play with them, it was a great feeling. 

Tell us a bit more about your slot on Channel O basement; how did it come about?

The Channel-O Basement gig? Well, I was booked to play in Durban and it happened that the guy who was the producer of the show was also playing there. He heard me play and came to me. We started talking and he told me he liked what I was playing and he asked if I'd be interested in joining his team. I thought about it, agreed and then sent him my CV. Before long I moved to Johannesburg, and the rest is history!

Please describe yourself in 4 Words?

Humble. Down-to-Earth. Easy-Going. Music-Lover.

What’s playing in your car apart from house music?

Actually I play my music on my phone. I'm usually downloading music on my phone and I enjoy listening to Jay-Z, when I'm not listening to House of course! 

We would like to thank Andy X for the wonderful interview and we look forward