Little did youthful singer Armstrong real name Sopani Kalua know that his hip-hop journey would take the Afro R&B route which hits the climax this Sunday when he launches his debut album Ndele at Capital Hotel Marquee in Lilongwe.

'Without Your Love', which was recorded at Joy Records by Keithumi Mwale (Keim), in 2010, was one of Armstrong's hip hop singles that catapulted him to fame. But now two years down the line, the singer, who is signed to Nde'feyo

Entertainment, tells a different story.

"My hip-hop songs were being played on different local radio stations and helped to put me into music limelight as a budding artist. I was inspired by American hip-hop artists like 50 Cent and Eminem," recalled Armstrong.

At the time Armstrong was an active hip-hop youngster, he was singing along the group called Blessed Beyond Measure (BBM) in Blantyre's Chilomoni Township.

The squad also aided the release of his other three singles namely; 'Random Thoughts', 'By My Side' and 'Changed'.

However, the boom of artists doing hip hop compelled the youngster to switch to Afro R&B, which has now upgraded his music marks. And he said all is set to officially launch his debut project this Sunday.

"I noted that a lot of people especially my peers were into the hip-hop game so I decided to change to Afro R&B. My vocal talent did not bother me to give it a second though before I quit hip hop. Now, two years down the line I

want to give Malawians what I am capable of doing on Afro R&B scene," said a 22-year old rising star.

Recorded at Lo Budget, Tapps Records, Pro Pees and Audio Clinic, Armstrong's Ndele album packs popular tracks

such as 'Sinditha Kumvetsa' and 'Ndamusowa', which are currently enjoying massive airplay on local radio stations.

He said his album launch will be supreme in the sense that he has rehearsed very well for it. Skeffa Chimoto, Piksy, Tay Grin, Biriwiri, Wendy Harawa and Trumale, are some of the artists that will support him during the launch.

Back to Armstrong's music journey, he said that his serious Afro R&B voyage started soon after he met one of the country's fast-growing producers Percy Manyozo of Pro Pee Studios in Chirimba, Blantyre.

"I met Percy at one Maskal's shows in Blantyre and started discussing on the possibilities of working together,"said Armstrong.

He said he also collaborated 'Anankabango' star Young Kay on 'Beautiful' before embarking on his early singles with Percy.

"Since I changed my music career direction, things have been rosy. Nde'feyo, Percy and the media have been very supportive till the advanced stages of my first album Ndele," said Armstrong, who recently performed in South Africa.