UnQle Chriz sings for Limpopo

PHALABORWA-based singer and songwriter Christopher Baloyi (29), better known as UnQle Chriz, will digitally release his first single Limpopo (So Beautiful) on iTunes and online stores in December.

This single is from his upcoming album, Butterflies, which is due to be released in March next year.

“I am still surprised that I co-wrote such an amazing piece, which I strongly believe will be my province’s theme song. I wrote the song to change the mindset that people have about Limpopo.

“I believe that this province is underrated yet the other eight provinces are dependent on it. The province has mines and minerals and it’s amazingly agricultural,” he said.

Baloyi was raised in Makhuva village.

He started singing at the age of 15 years during church conferences and Sunday services and that’s when he formed a singing group with his cousins.

His passion for music burnt so strongly in him that in 2007, he decided to quit his electrical engineering studies to pursue music.

In 2011, he started his own company, Blu Soul Media.

This graphic and clothing designer has shared the stage with Zonke, Zahara, Lira, Judith Sephuma, Zakes Bantwini, Stimela, Freshly Ground and Big Nuz.

“I have performed at most events hosted by Munghana Lonene FM including the annual Marula Festival.

“I have also performed at the Mapungubwe Jazz Festival with local artist Moca, where I met Kenny Lattimore and shared the stage with him,” he said.

The internet-conscious singer has always used social media to promote his music to the USA.

Although he has never been there, the 2008 Munghana Lonene FM award nominee has signed up with an Atlanta-based record label, Krazy Swag Entertainment/Universal Music Group.

His “American dream” was fuelled when he was discovered by rapper, actor and artist Kelvin Harris, also known as K Chill, from Atlanta, who also helped international artists such as Ludacris, Yung Joc and Ying Yang Twins get record deals.

“After K Chill listened to my album, he liked two songs; Butterflies and Love You Tonight, which he wanted to use for the soundtrack of the movie Love n Success,” he said.

He dreams of collaborations with South African legends Khuli Chana, Reason and AB-Crazy and would also like to help other aspiring musicians, models and actors to succeed in the entertainment industry.