For several years now, here at EDM Lab, we’ve had the pleasure of introducing you to the music of Zerb. He has undoubtedly become one of the cornerstones of Brazil’s new Dance music scene, earning his place among the world’s top DJs and producers in just a few years.
You’ve probably heard him once again over the past few weeks in our Best of Today #Release, featuring one of his latest releases. Zerb hardly needs an introduction, but we wanted to get to know him better and share with you the talented artist we discovered behind the hits. We met him a few weeks ago to talk about his journey, his past successes, and what’s coming next.
Here’s our exclusive interview with Zerb.
Could you share your story with us before your first big music hit?
It’s been a long road. I started producing when I was 14, just a kid in São Paulo obsessed with music. I didn’t go to music school or anything, I just sat in my bedroom and figured things out by myself. I was releasing stuff on YouTube and SoundCloud, playing small parties around Brazil, and studying marketing at university at the same time. For years it was just grinding, you know? Playing festivals here in Brazil and building things slowly. I always believed something big was coming, but I had no idea what form it would take.
Your track “Mwaki” completely changed your career. Did you immediately realize it was becoming something huge?
Not at all, actually. When we released it, it started growing, but slowly at first. Then one day I woke up and the numbers were just… different. It was like something had shifted overnight. I remember thinking, “Wait… what’s happening?” It spread everywhere so fast that I couldn’t even process it.
Before your global success, what was the hardest part of your journey as a producer from Brazil?
The distance, for sure. Being from Brazil and trying to break internationally is tough because you’re so far from everything. The music industry is still very concentrated in the US and Europe, so you have to work twice as hard just to be part of the conversation. There were so many moments where I released music I was really proud of, but it simply didn’t travel internationally. That’s frustrating. Looking back, though, every release taught me something. I wouldn’t have made “Mwaki” without all of that.
Listen to Zerb’s latest single in our Best of Today #Release
As a musician, do you prefer producing a song from scratch, reworking samples and giving them new life, or collaborating with other producers?
Honestly, I love all of it, but for different reasons. Starting from scratch is where the magic happens, that blank canvas moment where anything is possible. But “Mwaki” taught me something incredible about samples too. Finding that vocal, in the right key and at the right BPM, felt like the universe had handed me something special. Then there are collaborations, which bring an energy you simply can’t create on your own. When I’m in the studio with someone and we’re vibing, the ideas come from a completely different place. Every creative process gives you something unique.
Brazil has been producing many successful electronic artists lately. Why do you think the Brazilian scene is growing so fast internationally?
I think we’ve always had the talent, that was never the question. What changed is access. Streaming has basically erased geographical barriers. Today, a kid in São Paulo can make a track in his bedroom and the next day it’s on a playlist in Italy. Brazilians are naturally musical too. There’s something in our culture that makes us experience rhythm differently. And the new generation isn’t waiting for permission anymore. They’re just going for it. It’s really exciting to watch.
Did the success of “Mwaki” put pressure on you when creating music afterward?
One hundred percent. There’s no way around it. You create something that connects with millions of people, then you sit back down in front of your computer thinking, “Okay… now what?” I definitely had moments of real doubt. But eventually I realized that trying to recreate “Mwaki” would be the worst thing I could do. That song happened because I was simply making something I loved, with no expectations. So I tried to get back to that feeling—to make music that excites me first, trusting that if it’s honest, people will feel it too.
Which artists or genres have inspired your evolution the most in recent years?
Afro House opened my ears to something completely different, that feeling of music that’s both ancient and futuristic at the same time. Artists like Diplo showed me that you don’t have to choose between underground and mainstream; if the music is strong enough, you can have both. Working with The Chainsmokers, Coldplay, and Wiz Khalifa also pushed me in directions I never expected. You always absorb something from everyone you collaborate with.
Speaking about your latest collaboration with Rita Ora, how do you feel about it? It’s another incredible step in your career.
Rita has such an incredible energy. From the moment we started working together, everything just clicked. She brought something to the song that I could never have imagined on my own. Every collaboration teaches me something new, both about music and about myself as a producer. This one was no exception. I’m really proud of what we created together, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
Is there an artist you would really love to collaborate with in the future?
There are a few names I keep to myself, but I’ve learned it’s better not to say them out loud too early. What I can say is this: if someone had told me a year ago that I’d already be working with the people I’ve collaborated with today, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. So I’d rather stay open to whatever comes next. Life has its own way of surprising you when you least expect it. The important thing is to keep making the music you truly believe in, and the right doors will eventually open.
A message for the EDM Lab readers!
Ciao everyone! Thank you so much for all the support from Italy. Keep dancing, keep listening to music, and I really hope to see you all very soon.
Special thanks to Mavil & Mayasound for making this interview possible.
