Afro House
Interview with AVAION: Breaking Boundaries with ‘Wacuka’ and the 360° Experience
AVAION: Breaking Boundaries with ‘Wacuka’ and the 360° Experience
In the ever-evolving world of electronic music, few artists have managed to create such a distinctive fusion of sounds as AVAION. His track “Wacuka,” featuring Kenyan artist Sofiya Nzau, has become a global sensation, catching the attention of industry giants like Calvin Harris while bridging cultural influences with electronic beats.
In this exclusive interview, AVAION takes us behind the scenes of his creative process, discussing how the collaboration with Sofiya Nzau came together almost effortlessly, resulting in a sound that defies traditional genre classifications. He also reveals details about his ambitious “You Are Seen” tour featuring an innovative 360-degree setup that promises to deliver a more intimate and energetic experience for fans.
Your track “Wacuka” has become a massive success. What was the collaborative process like working with Sofiya Nzau and the Kenyan influence she brought to the track, and how did you maintain your signature sound while exploring these new rhythmic elements?
It was actually really easy. I was already familiar with her vocals from a previous song of hers. She had released some vocal packs online that many producers were using, and I had used them before because I’m a big fan of her voice and the Kenyan African vibe.
Her management reached out to us, saying she had some material available, and she sent me the vocal take of ‘Wacuka.’ It was perfectly recorded in one take, everything sounded good, and I immediately knew I could work with it. I think the song was finished after just two days—everything flowed naturally.
It’s a nice combination of her vocals and the emotions she puts into them, paired with the drop I created and the synthesizers that establish the overall vibe. It’s somewhere between Afro house and deep house, but also neither of those genres—it’s many styles combined. I think that’s what makes it something new and refreshing that people can connect with. You can feel melancholic listening to it, but you can also dance to it. And I appreciate the meaningful message of female empowerment that Sofiya brings to the track.”
Artists like Calvin Harris reaching out personally about “Wacuka” must have been validating. Who did you look to for inspiration when you were starting out, and how has their influence shaped your sound?
When I started out around 2012, one of my biggest influences was Tchami—he was like the godfather of deep house. He had these different sounds, and everything he did was unique—I just completely fell in love with it.
These days, I really love The Blaze, Ben Böhmer, and Elderbrook. They’re all amazing artists. I think connecting with many different people and taking small inspirations from here and there to create your own thing is the whole point of being an artist.
Your upcoming “You Are Seen” tour features a 360-degree live setup. What inspired this concept?
I wanted to take a step up from the last tour. We have bigger venues now and a different concept with me in the middle of the space. There’s a platform with lights underneath that can flash, creating more of a visual light show. In the previous tour, we only had the venue’s lighting, but this time we have a specific concept behind it. Having me in the middle with people around me makes it more intimate. It’s going to be insane—still a live show with live vocals and the same setup, but with more energy, more intimacy, and a bigger, better, sweatier experience.
You have a new track that just came out on Sony Music, ‘I Can’t Find You’. Can you share with us and the listeners the story behind the track?
It’s a collaboration with Oscar Matt, a Swedish producer. It started when he released a TikTok with a musical idea he created. People in the comments were tagging me, saying ‘AVAION could fit on this.’ After seeing my name tagged about ten times, I decided to check it out and thought, ‘That’s actually really good.’ So I messaged him to send me the stems so we could make it into a complete song. It’s really nice how it all came together—he was just a guy uploading stuff on TikTok, people thought I would be a good fit, and now we have a song coming out.
To check out the full interview head on over to the 10 Days in Dance podcast:
Stepping into the ring, Tone Rich closes out the year with ‘Axé Ilê’, his anticipated artist album, highlighted here through a handpicked selection of standout cuts from the project.
A producer, artist, and sound engineer with a gift for fusing global rhythms that touch the soul, Tone Rich crafts sonic stories that move effortlessly across cultures. His sound is a seamless blend of Afro-Brazilian percussion, Hindi chants, and moments where Yorùbá spirituality meets delicate Japanese textures, creating a deeply immersive and emotionally rich listening experience.
Guiding listeners through a journey of revelation and renewal, Tone Rich taps into mind, body, and spirit. ‘Axé Ilê’ is shaped by a transformative year that took him 110,000 miles across four continents. The result is an LP rooted in profound personal rebirth and spiritual awakening, captured through vibrant rhythms and purposeful storytelling.
Opening the album is ‘Axé Rising’, a track driven by Afro-infused energy and infectious vocal elements, one that carries all the markings of a future crowd favorite. Following on is ‘Namah Shivaya Fire Within’, a powerful tapestry of Hindi-inspired soundscapes that radiate warmth and intensity. The journey continues with ‘Maré Do Ilê’, led by a breathtaking vocal performance and Tone Rich’s signature groove-led production.
Closing out this selection is the Ancestral Flow Mix of ‘Maré Do Ilê’, which pushes the track in a new direction while preserving its unmistakable vocal hook.
With ‘Axé Ilê’ out now via Enriched Sound LLC, Tone Rich’s own imprint where art, technology, and tempo pulse as one, there’s plenty more to come from this boundary-shaping creator.
Follow Tone Rich:
Summer might be over, but its vibes don’t have to wait until 2026. Peruvian producer Diego Barrera has joined forces with Ameh Fashi on “Legendary,” an Afro-house record that radiates good energy and funky rhythms.
Released on Glasgow Underground, this collaboration is more than just a musical performance, it’s a crossover between two rich cultures. Born and raised in Cameroon, Fashi delivers the soothing vocals of “Legendary,” blending his identity with Barrera’s melodic groove.
The track carries a vibrant Latin spirit rooted in the producer’s background, while Fashi’s soulful vocal performance reflects Cameroon’s musical heritage.
Representing the essence of modern Afro-house, “Legendary” turns every set into a high-energy moment and is everything a DJ wants from a peak-time record.
Built to move the entire dancefloor, Barrera’s rolling percussion, deep bass, and organ-driven hook power the song’s propulsive beats, setting the tone and bringing the party to life.
Diego Barrera: Beyond The Decks
For some, it may sound like just another Afro-house record, but “Legendary” marks a meaningful milestone in Barrera’s journey. Now defined by innovation and international influence, the Peruvian artist started young as a DJ in Lima’s underground scene.
Since then, Diego Barrera has grown into one of Peru’s promising talents, releasing music on notable labels such as Yoshitoshi, Rawsome, Whoyostro, and Glasgow Underground.
Besides this, his work has also earned support from major names, including Martin Garrix, GORDO, and Claptone.
In 2024, Diego Barrera released “Kofumba,” a breakout single that charted on Beatport and shifted the trajectory of his career, gaining attention across Europe and Latin America.
Following the success, the DJ and producer continues to develop his trademark sound, fusing electronic music with global rhythms that echo humanity’s ancestral heritage.
Listen to Diego Barrera’s and Ameh Fashi’s latest song, “Legendary,” now available on all platforms.
Afro House
Immersed in the Depths: Tripolism’s Swim/Surrounded – A Sonic Plunge into Melodic Mystery
Riding the Wave: Who Are Tripolism?
Emerging from the misty fjords of Copenhagen like a sonic siren call, Tripolism isn’t just a band—they’re a vibe incarnate. Formed in 2021 by the dynamic Danish trio of Rasmus, Brynjar, and Frederik, these childhood friends-turned-studio-alchemists bonded over a shared obsession with electronic rhythms that pulse with life. What started as casual jam sessions in dimly lit basements evolved into a genre-bending powerhouse, fusing the infectious grooves of house, the glittery nostalgia of disco, and the shadowy edges of techno. Their breakthrough came with 2023’s viral hit “Dope Dance,” crowned Pete Tong’s Essential New Tune on BBC Radio 1, catapulting them onto global stages from Coachella’s sun-baked deserts to Tomorrowland’s euphoric fields. By 2024, their debut album, Absolute Dope, solidified their reputation as innovators, earning praise from heavy-hitters like Black Coffee and Adam Port. Now, with Swim/Surrounded, released on October 3, 2025, via Ultra Records, Tripolism dives deeper, proving they’re not just riding the wave—they’re shaping the ocean.
The EP’s Undercurrent: A Submerged Sonic Adventure
Clocking in at a sleek 18 minutes and 38 seconds, Swim/Surrounded isn’t your typical EDM banger barrage; it’s a compact EP that’s more like a meditative submersion. This three-track gem feels like floating in a midnight sea—intimate, introspective, and irresistibly immersive. Drawing from Afro-house’s tribal pulses and melodic techno’s crystalline builds, Tripolism crafts a soundscape that’s equal parts shadowy allure and buoyant release. It’s the perfect follow-up to their debut’s high-energy highs, trading fireworks for a slow-burn glow that lingers long after the last note fades. In a scene saturated with formulaic drops, this EP stands out as a creative rebellion, inviting listeners to lose themselves in the flow rather than chase the peak.
Track-by-Track Dive: From Depths to Crests
Swim (4:09) – The Hypnotic Pull
Picture this: You’re adrift in an endless ocean, the water cool and enigmatic, pulling you under with a gentle yet insistent force. That’s “Swim,” the EP’s opener—a dark, melancholic odyssey that hooks you with rippling synths and a slithering bassline. Infused with Afro-house percussion that echoes like distant thunder, it builds tension without resolution, layering ethereal vocal snippets that float like ghosts on the tide. Hard-pumping yet restrained, it’s the ultimate tease: a track that whispers promises of euphoria while keeping you suspended in suspense. Ideal for those hazy pre-dawn sets where the crowd craves depth over dazzle.
Surrounded (7:31) – The Enveloping Abyss
If “Swim” dips your toes in, “Surrounded” engulfs you whole. This sprawling centerpiece is a mysterious beast, driven by in-your-face bass stabs that hit like underwater shocks—sharp, visceral, and utterly addictive. Brooding pads swirl like fog over choppy waves, while staccato hi-hats patter like rain on the surface. Progressive house influences shine in the gradual escalation, but Tripolism’s Danish finesse adds pristine drops that feel both primal and polished. It’s connective chaos: a sense of being encircled not by isolation, but by a throbbing communal energy. Imagine a packed club where the music wraps around you like a warm current—vulnerable, vibrant, and victorious.
Swim (Extended Mix) (6:58) – The Endless Horizon
Why surface so soon? The extended mix of “Swim” stretches the original into a full-fledged expedition, amplifying the submerged drama with elongated builds and lush textural layers. Reverb echoes like sonar in the deep, and a mid-track breakdown plunges into near-silence before the bass resurges with feral intensity. This version is DJ gold—seamless for marathon sets yet rewarding for solo listens, bridging the gap between festival frenzy and personal reflection. It’s Tripolism, honoring the ritual of rhythm, extending the invitation to linger in the limbo.
Surfacing with Style: Why This EP Hits the Sweet Spot
In Swim/Surrounded, Tripolism doesn’t just play music; they conjure worlds—ones where melancholy meets momentum, and immersion becomes liberation. This EP is a testament to their growth: authentic, audacious, and unapologetically artistic. For house aficionados craving soulful innovation or newcomers seeking an entry into melodic depths, it’s a must-dive. Let the currents carry you; you might just emerge transformed. Stream it on Spotify and feel the pull.
Follow Tripolism for more updates:
Instagram: @tripolism_
Spotify: Tripolism
Soundcloud: Tripolism
YouTube: @thisistripolism
-
EDM Festival News1 week agoElectric Forest Announces 2026 Lineup
-
EDM Artist News3 weeks agoTiesto Returns To Trance & Announces Album
-
Editorial2 days agoThe Top 10 Most Watched DJ Sets of 2025
-
Editorial3 weeks agoEDM Festivals You Can’t Miss, December 2025
-
Editorial3 weeks agoFaithless ‘Insomnia’ 30th Anniversary: The Track That Defined an Era
-
EDM news4 weeks agoTiësto Hints Return To Trance Music
-
EDM news2 weeks agoMartin Garrix Announces 2026 Americas Tour
-
Editorial4 weeks ago69-Year-Old Woman Goes To Her First Rave In ‘Judgement’ Documentary
