Early Life & Beginnings
Sofiya Nzau, well known as Sofiya Wanjiku was born on 20th February 1993 in Miruri, Murang’a County, Kenya, is a trailblazing Kenyan artist whose unique blend of traditional Kikuyu vocals and modern electronic music has taken the global stage by storm.
Her journey to musical stardom is one of resilience, talent, and unshakable connection to her cultural roots.
Between 2015 and 2020, Sofiya worked as a street vendor and domestic helper in Thika, struggling to make ends meet. The COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point in her life. In December 2020, she decided to pursue her passion for songwriting full-time, a leap of faith made possible with the encouragement and support of her husband, who is also a music producer. This marked the beginning of her transformation from a struggling worker to a globally recognized artist.
Breakthrough: Mwaki
Her breakthrough came in November 2023 when Brazilian producer Zerb stumbled upon one of her uploaded vocal melodies. Captivated by her voice, he transformed it into the Afro-electronic hit “Mwaki”—which means “Fire” in Kikuyu. Sofiya was credited as a key songwriter on the track. The song went viral, climbing to the top of the Spotify Global Viral Chart and reaching No. 4 on Beatport’s Afro House Top 100. The accompanying music video, shot in Hell’s Gate National Park, captivated global audiences and fueled massive engagement across platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
By May 2024, Sofiya had cemented her place in history as the first East African artist to exceed 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify, surpassing renowned regional acts like Diamond Platnumz and Harmonize. This streaming milestone solidified her status as an international sensation.
European Breakthrough & Festival Feats
In 2025, Sofiya embarked on her first European tour, performing to sold-out crowds in cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Enschede, Paris, and Barcelona. That same year, she became the first Kenyan artist to perform at the prestigious Tomorrowland Festival in Belgium, sharing the stage with global EDM superstar Steve Aoki. Her collaboration with German DJ Avaion on the song “Wacuka” became another runaway hit, surpassing 60 million streams, with Germany emerging as her strongest international market.
Sofiya’s growing influence was further recognized through her participation in Tomorrowland’s Lab of Tomorrow an exclusive songwriting camp that brings together some of the most innovative artists and producers from around the world. Her work there positioned her as a respected figure in the global electronic and Afro-house music scenes.
Musical Style & Discography Highlights
Musically, Sofiya Nzau is celebrated for her ability to merge traditional Kikuyu storytelling with modern electronic, Afro-house, and progressive sounds. Her signature sound is both nostalgic and futuristic, paying homage to her roots while speaking to a global audience.
Her discography includes the EP “Family” (2023), as well as several collaborative singles with international artists like Tim Hox, Yuri Haal, and Bob Sinclar.
