Kikuyu Song ‘Mwaki’ Elicits Mixed Reaction on TikTok

Over the weekend, Kenyan musician Sofiya Nzau gained massive popularity on TikTok with her song ‘Mwaki’, which successfully brought together Kikuyus and international fans alike.

The song enjoyed significant trending status throughout the weekend, following a viral remix by renowned international DJ Zerb. Originally mastered by Sofiya Nzau, the poignant lyrics of the song depict a woman’s apprehension about her father’s reaction upon discovering that she married a man who does not meet her father’s expectations. Zerb injects his signature beats into the song, creating a remix that enhances its original charm.

The song’s rise to fame is accredited to the talented Brazilian DJ and producer renowned for his superb music creations and superb remixes of other artists’ tunes. Zerb had earlier taken full credit for the song but this drew backlash from the public. The acclaimed producer has since credited Sofiya as the original owner of the tune. However, Sofiya fans continue to pressure Zerb to credit her on YouTube and Spotify, but he has not yet yielded to their demands.

Initially dismissed as bland, the transformed content of Sofiya Nzau is now being propagated as Zerb’s creative work. However, Nzau’s fans argue that the musician deserves recognition and appreciation for her talent and the impact she has made in the music industry. Hailing from Kenya, Nzau had always harboured dreams of becoming a musician since her early years.

In addition to her musical pursuits, she juggles the roles of a mother and a wife. As a Kikuyu musician, Nzau has delivered other popular songs such as “Kyeta”, but it is her mesmerizing track, “Mwaki”, that truly introduced her enchanting sound to the world.