We sat down with the authors of the song of the moment, for a lovely chat.
Although we covered ‘Wacuka‘ when it was released a fortnight ago, we still can’t get enough of the infectious energy of the latest collaboration between German synth maestro AVAION and Kenyan sensation Sofiya Nzau. Chances are, you’ve heard it at the very least as background music for a reel on social media, because it properly took the Internet by storm. I can see why.
AVAION and Sofiya’s work is a standout piece both in instrumental composition and lyrical weight. It first strikes you as the different warm textures and atmospheres set the stage, and they already have a different presence than your standard track. And then comes Sofiya and her — by now — instantly recognisable delivery.
And so, it only felt fitting to have a chat with the minds behind ‘Wacuka’, not only to learn a bit more about the song, but also about themselves. So lay back, relax, and read on, as we dive deep into the song of the season by talking with AVAION and Sofiya Nzau.
The Interview
‘Wacuka’ is everywhere at the moment and we’re loving the sound of it! AVAION, what do you think it is about this particular track that seems to resonate so well with people?
AVAION: I think it’s the perfect combination between the Afro House vibe of Sofiya and my dreamy, melancholic style. I think the production is something new and fresh and also the synth lead that I made for the drop is something that people have never heard before. That drop is such a moment live!
Sofiya, you’ve collaborated with some huge names! What inspired you to send this particular topline to AVAION?
Sofiya: AVAION’s music has such a raw emotional quality, and I felt ‘Wacuka”s topline would resonate with his style. The melody and story carried a unique energy that I knew he could elevate to something extraordinary.
At what point during the song’s creation did you guys feel like you had a hit on your hands?
AVAION: I got the vocals from Sofiya and started working on the song and everything was fitting perfectly. I finished the production of the song after just two days and I knew that this was something special.
Sofiya: When AVAION sent the first mix with my vocals, it just clicked. The blend of emotion and energy felt electric—we knew it was special.
What would you say is the most unexpected thing/gift/lesson that came to you thanks to ‘Wacuka’?
AVAION: It’s my first time collaborating with an artist that speaks a different language than German or English so I needed to trust Sofiya and judge more by the vibe and the feel of the vocal lines because I couldn’t understand the meaning of the lyrics but I felt it by listening. That’s a powerful experience.
Sofiya: The most unexpected gift was seeing how deeply the song resonated across cultures. It reminded me that music truly has no borders.
Do you ever feel tired / burnt out regarding music production/writing? And if so, how have you been able to overcome it?
AVAION: Of course, there are some days where you just feel a bit drained and without any motivation but my best solution for that is not stressing about it and just do something completely different for a few days like more sports or going out with friends.
Sofiya: Absolutely—it happens to everyone. When I feel burnt out, I step away, connect with nature, or spend time with family. Taking breaks and revisiting my roots always reignites my creativity.
AVAION, you’ve recently come back from your For The Vibes fall tour. Not only does the name of the tour itself reflect it, but also the videos of the actual shows portray something I personally feel we’ve lost in the scene lately: being present, in that moment, enjoying. How have you been able to achieve this connection between the crowd and the music? We definitely need more crowds like yours!
AVAION: I’m just super happy that my music reaches the right people. At all the shows from my tour everything was just perfect. All the people enjoyed themselves and felt the moment. It was a perfect mix of energy, melancholic vibes and pure love.
Sofiya, you’ve described ‘Wacuka’ as a story of “the tension between choosing to follow tradition and expressing individuality”, narrated from both “the struggle and the hope”. Would you mind giving us a bit of an insight into the idea and what it represents for your background? We’d love to know!
Sofiya: ‘Wacuka’ is deeply personal—it’s about balancing cultural expectations with personal freedom. Growing up in Kenya, tradition was a big part of my life, but so was the desire to carve my own path. The song captures that push and pull—the struggle of honoring where you come from while embracing who you’re becoming. It’s a tribute to resilience, hope, and finding harmony between the two.
Suppose there’s someone in our audience, aspiring producer or vocalist in the making, who looks up to you and your work. What would be the one piece of advice you’d give them in order to find success through music?
AVAION: Never give up.
Sofiya: Stay authentic. Your uniqueness is your greatest strength, so let your music reflect who you are. Be patient, work hard, and never stop learning—success will follow when you stay true to yourself.
Final Words
Thank you so so much to both AVAION and Sofiya for being so insightful and open with your answers. I, selfishly (yet also shamelessly) take interview instances as opportunities to learn from the people I’m speaking to, and this is no exception. There’s something so special, so unique — perhaps the word I’m looking for is “human” — about the call and response you get from an interview.
And if there’s something I will always thank music for, is giving people the chance to interact based entirely on a chunk of noise with sense. And while ‘Wacuka’ keeps rising like foam in a poorly poured beer — currently at 4.2 million streams on Spotify —, we wish both artists the best possible year, and that the success of this very track only multiplies their momentum in the industry.