Andy Panda (formerly known as Endshpil; real name — Soslan Burnatsev) is a Russian hip-hop artist from Vladikavkaz and one half of the duo Miyagi & Andy Panda. He became one of the key figures of the new wave of the Russian-language scene, where melody, mood, and meaning came to the forefront — without aggression or ostentatious bravado.
Andy Panda’s music exists at the crossroads of hip-hop, soul, and reggae aesthetics. His delivery is restrained, the lyrics are imagery-driven, and rhythm often serves as a backdrop for thought rather than an end in itself. This very approach made the artist distinctive and consistently in demand.
Facts
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Real name: Soslan Burnatsev
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Date of birth: October 2, 1995
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Place of birth: Vladikavkaz, Republic of North Ossetia–Alania
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Stage names: Endshpil (early period), Andy Panda
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Main project: duo with Miyagi
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Label: Hajime Records
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Active period: early 2010s — present
Path and formation of style
The early stage of his career unfolded under the name Endshpil. During this period, the artist worked within classic rap forms, gradually shifting the focus from battle aesthetics to melody and atmosphere. The transition to the name Andy Panda became a logical step in his evolution: the music grew more atmospheric, the lyrics less straightforward, and the overall sound more cohesive and recognizable.
A key turning point was the collaboration with Miyagi. The duo formed in Vladikavkaz and quickly developed its own language: a calm tempo, melodic hooks, and philosophical lyrics about inner balance, pain, freedom, and the human path.
Key releases
As part of the duo Miyagi & Andy Panda:
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Hajime, Pt. 1 (2016)
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Hajime, Pt. 2 (2016)
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Buster Keaton (2017)
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Yamakasi (2020)
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Yamakasi (Deluxe) (2021)
Andy Panda solo releases (singles):
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Black Panama Hat (2018)
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Cosmos (2019)
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Stormy Petrel (2020)
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Endorphin (2021)
Popular tracks
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I Got Love
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Utopia
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Brooklyn
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Minor
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Kosandra
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Freeman
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Yamakasi
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Black Panama Hat
These tracks became some of the most recognizable songs of the Russian-language scene in the late 2010s and are often perceived as soundtracks of their time.
Contribution to the scene
Andy Panda played an important role in transforming Russian-language hip-hop. Together with Miyagi, he demonstrated that mainstream music can be:
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calm and introspective;
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melodic without losing depth;
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philosophical without moralizing.
Their approach influenced an entire generation of artists, shifting the focus from aggression and overt dominance to inner state and meaning.
Interesting facts
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The transition from the stage name Endshpil to Andy Panda coincided with a change in the duo’s overall sound and marked a new stage in the career.
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The artist consciously avoids excessive media exposure, preferring to speak through music.
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The Hajime project became more than just a label — it is a union of artists and aesthetics built around a shared philosophy.
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Many tracks by the duo remain relevant for years thanks to universal themes and a genre-transcending sound.
Andy Panda is an artist who helped shape a new intonation of the Russian-language scene: calm, thoughtful, and melodic. His path is a movement from form to content and from noise to meaning. That is why his music is perceived not as a trend, but as a lasting cultural code that remains relevant beyond time and fashions.
