Among the fastest-rising global phenomena, Brazilian DJ & producer ZERB (real name Matheus Zerbini Massa) told us about his feelings performing for the second time at Tomorrowland Belgium after last year, the creative journey behind his worldwide hit “Mwaki” with Sofiya Nzau, and his thoughts on international collaborations with The Chainsmokers, Coldplay, Wiz Khalifa & Ty Dolla $ign, social media, and upcoming steps!
ZERB: For me, being here and playing my sets is just crazy. Truly incredible!
Matteo: Great! Let’s talk a bit about your journey. You started with some well-loved remixes like “Faded” with Vintage Culture, then your first festivals in Brazil, your first international collaboration, and finally the magical connection with Sofiya Nzau for your global hit “Mwaki” and then “Kumbaya” which is currently #1 on Italy’s dance radio charts.
ZERB: Yes, it’s really amazing. We’re so happy about that!
Matteo: What was your first approach to Afro House? Your style is unique. And what was it like working with Sofiya after discovering her sample and starting to collaborate?
ZERB: “Mwaki” was a crazy story. I’m not sure everyone knows the backstory, but I basically started working on the instrumental while I was still living with my parents — bedroom studio, bedroom producer. I created the base and thought: “Okay, this is different, it’s unique.” I needed something equally unique, a global sample, something special. So I started searching for samples from around the world — instruments, vocals — and I found the “Mwaki” vocal in a sample pack. It was perfect: same BPM, same key. It was just drag-and-drop. I thought: “This is perfect.” Then we released the song, it started to grow a lot, and we reached out to her. She joined the project, and that’s when the track really took off worldwide. I went to Kenya to shoot the music video, which was super cool — anyone who knows the song knows the video. Then we talked and agreed: let’s make something new and fresh together. In January this year, I was on vacation in Hawaii, driving, and she sent me an idea. I played it and thought: “Wow, this is so strong.” It was just a rough draft, but I immediately started working on it — and the track was born.
Matteo: Incredible! And “Kumbaya” comes after your big collaborations with superstars like The Chainsmokers (Addicted), Coldplay (Feels Like I’m Falling in Love), and Wiz Khalifa + Ty Dolla \$ign (Location).
Did you ever imagine working on that level in under two years from your first global hit? And what’s next?
ZERB: No, absolutely not. I always dreamed of doing big things, but you never really know how life is going to bring them to you. Everything you plan always turns out differently, but the key is to keep going, always. When “Mwaki” started to blow up, I had a million thoughts in my head, but I never imagined I’d be working with these artists. Even now, I’m still amazed. Sometimes I listen to the songs and think: “How did this happen?” I’m still working with a lot of big artists, and there are many exciting projects on the way. It’s always thrilling, especially because I’m collaborating with artists I’ve always dreamed of working with.
Matteo: And can you reveal anything about what’s coming next?
ZERB: Unfortunately, I can’t — but I promise there are some big collaborations coming. Right now we’re releasing the remixes for “Kumbaya.” We just dropped the Dubdogz and Massane remixes, and more are coming out every week — amazing remixes by artists I truly admire.
Matteo: Perfect! Let’s talk a bit about your team. I know you work with the label Th3rd Brain — shout out to Alec and your manager Gabriel. An amazing team. In my opinion, they’re among the best indie teams globally, especially in marketing.
It was crucial for “Mwaki”, which initially exploded on social media: the sound was everywhere on Instagram and TikTok, boosted by solid campaigns.
We now have nearly 400,000 posts on Instagram and almost 200,000 on TikTok — it’s a global viral phenomenon! How do you personally manage your social media? What do you think about social media in general? And what kind of user content do you enjoy the most?
ZERB: Yeah, it’s funny. Like many artists, at first I was like: “Man, I’ve worked hard for years, and now I have to make silly videos? I just want to make music.” But we live in a completely different world now. You have to make content, but you also need to feel comfortable doing it. For me, it’s always been a kind of tug-of-war with the team — not a fight, but a compromise: “Okay, we need content, but it has to be something I like and feel good about.” There’s a lot of bad stuff out there. I see some videos and think: “I’d never do that.” But at the same time, I love pushing the boundaries of visual creativity — my photographer and I are always asking, “How can we make something wild, something different?” That’s the kind of content I enjoy creating. And I also love letting fans and users create freely with my music.
Matteo: Do you have a favorite type of user-generated content?
ZERB: Honestly, I love watching them all! When you open the audio on TikTok or Instagram Reels and see all the videos, it’s insane. People from all over the world — gym videos, parents filming their kids singing the song, travel videos… It’s beautiful because yes, I made the track, I see the numbers, but it’s hard to fully grasp how the music is impacting people’s lives. You probably have songs you love, just like I do. And knowing my songs do the same for others — that’s really special. My favorite thing is just opening those clips and watching them for fun!
Matteo: And I would add — your music isn’t tied to a passing trend. It’s a true global vibe. People use it to share memories and everyday moments.
The world loves and shares your music. We can’t wait to see you perform at the Library Stage as well!
ZERB: Thank you so much for the interview!
Matteo: See you in Italy!
ZERB: Yes, see you in Italy!
[Thanks to ZERB’s team and Tomorrowland for the opportunity!]
28y passionate guy about music, social media, digital marketing and infographics!
I founded youBEAT in 2012 as manifesto of my passion for electronic music, with the aim of promoting artists and events.
Graduated in Media Languages at UCSC in Milan (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore) with a thesis on the revolution of daily life with the streaming in entertainment and information.
Everyday more passionate and keen about data, tools and music insights and their connection in this everyday faster social connected world.
From 2017-2023 A&R, Marketing and International Manager at EGO Music (www.egomusic.net).
In 2024 I founded MAVIL, my artists&labels mgmt and promotion solo company!