'Mwaki', the urgent progressive house track by Brazilian producer Zerb and Kenyan singer Sofiya Nzau, has become a dance sensation since its release last November. The track reached No. 1 on Spotify's Global Viral Chart, with more than 100,000 fan-generated videos on social media, and is currently No. 3 on the Shazam Global Chart.
The track – sung in the tribal Kenyan language of Kikuyu – has also gained momentum with recent remixes from Major Lazer and Tiësto, with edits from Franky Wah, Major League DJz, Tyler ICU and Chris Avantgarde. The title of the song translates to “fire”.
“I knew 'Mwaki' was special, but I didn't expect the success and love the song got,” Zerb said in a statement. “I am very happy not only with the result, but also with the opportunity to spread my music to the world.”
Now “Mwaki” comes to life even more vividly via the just-released video starring Zerb, Nzau and a fleet of Kenyan dancers. Directed by Mikhail Mehra — who directed the classic video for Major Lazer's “Lean On” — the video was shot in Kenya's stunning Hells Gate National Park, where the crew traversed the park's canyons by rope (and avoided the local hippos ) while going around the canyons and fields.
“Everyone on the team is simply doing wonders,” Mehra said in a statement. “Hopefully we'll make Kenya proud because it's been an awesome experience.”
The clip comes alongside the announcement that the Sao Paulo-born producer, who has performed at Lollapalooza and Rock In Rio, has signed with UTA for live representation in all territories except Brazil.
The track is released on indie label TH3RD BRAIN, whose global campaign behind the track successfully broke the song in myriad countries.
“Music has no borders today. It's inspiring that an artist in Kenya can upload her vocals online, get picked up by a Brazilian DJ and turn into one of the biggest dance records of the year,” says Alec Udell of TH3RD Brain. Advertising sign. “As an independent company, our partner network is built to tell stories like this around the world. Zerb and his manager Gabriel have been in this game for over ten years, so what's next for them is what's really exciting for us.”
Watch Zerb's “Mwaki” music video below:
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/zerb-sofiya-nzau-mwaki-music-video-1235591217/
