Finding rhythm in their roots: Sofiya Nzau & Madism on the creation of 'Hutia'

In a rare cross-continental exchange, Sofiya Nzau and Madism sit down with Beatportal to share the story behind ‘Hutia,’ their emotive Afro House rework that fuses ancestral storytelling with timeless dance energy. For Sofiya, singing in Kikuyu, her native Kenyan language, is both a personal act of pride and a global statement of identity. For Madism, weaving Robert Miles’ ‘Children’ into the track offered the perfect balance between nostalgia and innovation, nodding to one of the scene's pioneers. Together, they’ve created a record that transcends borders, blending heritage and modern production into a feverishly catchy dance record that is turning heads and tapping toes across the globe.

Sofiya, you sing in Kikuyu on 'Hutia.' Can you tell us about the significance of using your native language in a global electronic release?

S: “Kikuyu is my heritage and birthright. It’s my first language, and so it holds a significantly important position in my life. I grew up listening to pop songs over the radio and 99% of what I heard was in English. As I fell deeper and deeper in love with music, I began to experiment with language and realised that I could have a global impact while using this gift of a language I was given at birth. When I sing in my native tongue, it’s more than just words; it’s the sound of my ancestors. To see a track with a Kikuyu vocal (a language many outside of Kenya might never have even heard of) reach millions through a modern dance record, it feels like we are literally breaking down barriers. I'm deeply grateful that the world is listening and connecting to it.”

Can you share a favourite lyric or moment in the song that you feel captures the heart of Hutia?

S: “My favourite part, the one that truly captures the heart of 'Hutia,' is the line: 'Wahutia, Wahutia, Ukangorokia, Wahutia, Wahutia, Ngate Mbao...'

It translates to something like, "When you touch me, I go crazy!"

That line, for me, embodies the entire spirit of the track. 'Hutia' means touch or feel, and it's about that intense, overwhelming feeling of connection. This lyric is about the profound realization that in a chaotic world, there's a person, or perhaps a feeling or a guiding light, that steers you toward warmth and safety but at the same time ignites this fire in you that just drives you nuts in the best possible way. I'm sure everyone's felt that with at least one person in this beautiful life. It’s simple, deep, and full of that universal hope we all carry for meaningful connection.”

Having performed at Tomorrowland and surpassed 10 million monthly Spotify listeners, how does it feel to see your music resonate worldwide?

S: “Honestly, it feels surreal, yet incredibly humbling to have performed at Tomorrowland and to see those listener numbers, it’s a powerful affirmation. My initial hope was just to share a piece of my culture, and to see it resonate worldwide with over 10 million monthly listeners is a dream come true. I feel immense gratitude for every single person who presses play. It’s proof that music truly is the universal language. It fills me with so much pride to know that a young woman from Kenya is sharing her voice and heritage globally. It’s a shared success.”

How has your journey—from 'Mwaki' going viral to collaborating on 'Hutia'—shaped your artistic identity?

S: “This journey has taught me to trust the voice within. 'Mwaki' was like a beautiful storm that showed me the power of my own sound. It was a confirmation that I was on the right path. Now, collaborating on a song like 'Hutia,' which is built on such an iconic, emotional melody I had never heard before… it has been a beautiful lesson in synergy. Madism introduced me to this timeless track by Robert Miles, and I was able to weave my own story into it. It has shown me that my artistic identity is not a fixed thing, but a growing, evolving spirit. I am a storyteller, a bridge between my heritage and the future, and I am learning to embrace that role with more courage and love every day.”

What inspires your creativity outside of music, and how does that influence your sound?

S: “I find a lot of inspiration in fashion, the different intricate patterns and colours that are woven from our innate nature as humans. I love the way fibres are woven into different, unlimited, unique patterns on fabrics and from there how different people interpret the same patterns to create beautiful works of art that can be worn by anyone and everyone. That’s the same with music, to be honest. Music is sounds woven together with story and emotion. Without the stories we tell through music and the emotions we feel when listening or telling said stories, music collapses under its own weightlessness. I see a clear homogeneity between music and fashion.”

Madism, what drew you to this project and can you talk us through your approach to the production?

M: “Sofiya’s vocals instantly caught my attention the first time I listened. It took us a bit of time, but we finally found the right song to work on together, which is ‘Hutia.’ I tried to match the emotional vocals with an emotional production, and Afro House felt like the right match for it. When I was jamming on the piano in the studio, I noticed that Robert Miles’ ‘Children’ was the perfect fit for the song and would tie everything together.”

Have you played ‘Hutia’ live yet? How does it transfer with a live crowd?

M: “Not yet, but I definitely will play it soon! I’ve had DJ friends play it, and they’re very excited about the song.”

Are there other classic tracks or artists you’d love to reinterpret or collaborate with in the future?

M: “There are definitely a few melodies from the 90s that I’d love to do something with. I love ATB’s ‘9PM’ a lot. There are also some amazing classical music melodies out there that could be very interesting with a modern twist.”

The Netherlands has produced legends like Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, and Hardwell. How has your home country influenced you as an artist?

M: “Growing up with all those successful DJs as role models, it’s easy to get inspired by them. I’ve had this desire to create music and share it with the world since I was a kid, and I’m definitely proud of how big of an influence this small country has globally in the music industry.”

What’s the last track you added to your USB?

M: “A high-energy mashup of ‘Hutia.’”

Sofiya Nzau, Madism, Robert Miles – “Hutia” is available now on Beatport.