“Afro house, for me, is about hypnotic energy, groove, and storytelling. It connects people in a way that’s universal, yet deeply personal.” That’s how Massuma describes his new single “Sikasso” — a track pulling you in from the very first beat. At this point, we also recommend pressing play on it while reading this interview — it would be a shame not to. It’s one of those tracks made for long drives with the windows down, slow walks through the city, or even for your gym sessions. Soulful, rhythmic, and full of movement, it carries you along your journey.
Featuring the soulful voice of Malian singer Nahawa Doumbia, the song bridges continents and generations, and that’s what makes it so special. As he tells us, when someone truly feels your track, it’s one of the greatest compliments an artist can receive. You can sense in this production that this is what mattered most to him — not the numbers, not the noise, but the feeling it awakens in you.
Born and raised in London with North African roots, Massuma grew up surrounded by music that shaped his sense of rhythm and emotion. From producing grime instrumentals in his teenage bedroom to DJing his way through the city’s underground scene, you get the feeling he never forced his way through — he just kept creating until things began to fall into place. “Massuma is a fresh start — my identity as an artist now. No shortcuts, just music that reflects who I am.”
In our conversation, we talk about how “Sikasso” came to life, what African music means to him, and why trusting your instincts — both in art and in life — might just be the truest rhythm of all.
photography by Peter O’Sullivan
I’m just listening to your new track “Sikasso”, which is out on October 24th on MoBlack and features the vocal samples of Nahawa Doumbia. I absolutely love the vibe – the energy of your sound and her voice are amazing together. Nahawa Doumbia is such an incredible singer and a strong woman. She’s not only a popular artist but also a fighter for children’s, women’s and human rights in general. How did this collaboration come about, and how did it feel for you to work with her?
Working with Nahawa was an honour. Her voice carries so much history and emotion, and I’ve always been inspired by the power she brings to every performance. The collaboration came naturally once I had the idea for the track — her vocals added that depth and soul that made everything fall into place. It was incredible to witness how her presence could elevate the energy and message of the music.
“Sikasso” is named after Nahawa Doumbia’s hometown in southern Mali. How did the whole track come to life? Was it your intention from the very beginning to make a tribute to Malian heritage and collaborate with Nahawa, or did the melody come first and the vocal samples and concept evolve later on?
The melody came first, and it felt like it needed something connected to the roots of the music. When I thought of Nahawa and her heritage, it all clicked. Naming it after her hometown just felt right. The track naturally became a tribute to that Malian energy while still keeping the Afro house rhythm and modern textures that define my sound.
The track is a reflection of your evolving sound, merging ancestral rhythms with modern electronic energy. What fascinates you most about African music, what’s your personal connection to it, and how would you describe the unique spirit of Afro House?
African music has this timeless quality, rhythm and melody that feel alive, that move people on a physical and emotional level. Growing up with North African roots in London, I was always surrounded by those sounds and they became part of my musical DNA. Afro house, for me, is about hypnotic energy, groove, and storytelling. It connects people in a way that’s universal, yet deeply personal.
“Massuma is a fresh start — my identity as an artist now. No shortcuts, just music that reflects who I am.”
What was your first encounter with the Afro house music scene — not necessarily as an artist, but maybe already as a listener?
I first heard it in London clubs and through mixes from DJs like Rampa and &ME. There was something hypnotic in the way it built and layered energy and it pulled me in immediately, even before I thought about producing it myself.
What does your new artist name Massuma stand for?
Massuma is a fresh start. It’s about combining all the influences that shaped me and expressing them honestly. It’s my identity as an artist now, no shortcuts, just music that reflects who I am.
I found your biography super interesting – you started really young, producing at home at just 12, making grime instrumentals that your friends would rap over the next day at school. Were you kind of the cool kid in class because of that? Who inspired you back then?
(laughs) Maybe a little. I was definitely that kid in the corner with headphones and a laptop, but I loved it. Inspiration came from everything around me, UK funky, grime, the hip hop my friends were into. I was drawn to anything with rhythm and energy.
While studying at university, you also started throwing your own events, taught yourself DJing, and played at parties and South Asian weddings to support yourself. Were there moments of doubt along the way? How did you manage to stay focused on doing what you love, even when the path wasn’t always easy?
There were definitely moments of doubt, but music was always the constant. Every set, every production session reminded me why I started. I stayed focused by keeping my ear to the ground, learning from other DJs, and just making sure I was moving forward even if slowly.
“More empathy, more listening. Less ego and less fear of difference.”
How did it feel when you finally made it into London’s Mayfair club scene? Do you still remember your first gig in Camden?
It felt like a milestone, a moment where all the work and late nights started paying off. My first gig in Camden was pure adrenaline, the crowd was wild, the energy infectious. I’ll never forget that night.
Under your previous artist name Sam Savage, you were quite successful as a hip-hop artist, perfecting your technique — but then the hip-hop DJ scene started to stagnate. How difficult was it to take that decision and actually start over as Massuma?
It was challenging, no doubt. It felt like stepping off a cliff. But I knew I needed to follow what excited me musically. Once I committed, everything started aligning, the new ideas, collaborations, the chance to explore Afro house fully.
What has been the biggest life lesson for you in recent years?
Trusting your instincts. The more you try to follow what feels right creatively, the further you get. Everything else falls into place when the music is honest.
Has your definition of success changed since the early days of your career? How do you measure it now?
Success isn’t just numbers anymore. It’s about connection — when a track hits a crowd, when someone tells you your music moved them. That’s the measure I care about now.
The most important thing in life is…?
Being true to yourself. Everything else follows from that.
The world needs more of… and less of…
More empathy, more listening. Less ego and less fear of difference.
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