London-born and rapidly rising through the Afro-house circuit, Massuma brings an astute blend of groove, emotional depth and club sensibility to his productions and sets. His trajectory—from grime instrumentals in his teens to a broader global electronic palette—has given him a unique vantage on how rhythm meets feeling.
In our interview, Massuma reflects on how the emotional core of his sound has evolved: once all about raw energy, now a more measured mix of warmth and tension; how rhythm remains his launch-point in production; how he purposefully crafts space alongside drive; and how his background in UK funky house, grime and Afro-rhythms continues to shape his creative identity.
How would you describe the emotional core of your sound right now, and has that shifted from when you first started producing?
Right now, it’s a mix of warmth and tension. There’s a groove that pulls people in, but I leave space for feeling too. When I first started, it was all about energy and immediate impact. Over time, I’ve focused more on layering depth and emotion, and I think that’s what people who follow my sets notice, they’re connecting with more than just the beat.
When you’re building a track, where does it usually begin for you: rhythm, texture, or something more conceptual?
Usually rhythm. That’s the backbone for me, especially because a lot of my fans know me for that Afro-house groove. Once the rhythm is there, the layers, textures, and melodic ideas come together. Sometimes a concept drives the track, but mostly it’s about the pocket and flow first.
Your recent releases feel like they balance intensity with space. How intentional is that dynamic in your workflow?
It’s intentional, yeah. I like giving tracks room to breathe. The tension and release are what make people move, whether it’s a club in Europe, a festival in Africa, or a small underground room. Balancing energy and space is central to how I connect with audiences across different settings.
Which artists or scenes have shaped your approach the most, either historically or in the present moment?
Grime and UK funky house shaped me early, but Afro house and global electronic scenes have had a huge influence too. Artists like Rampa, &ME, and Shimza inspire me, but so does seeing how crowds respond to music live. Playing rooms where people really feel the connection—those moments shape everything.
What part of your studio setup feels most essential to getting your ideas moving?
Keyboard and speakers are essential. Being able to play chords and feel the groove in real time is what makes ideas come alive. Everything else is just shaping what’s already in your head.
How do you approach DJ sets compared to production? Are they expressions of the same thing, or do they sit slightly apart for you?
They’re connected but different. In the studio, you explore every detail. On stage, it’s about reading the room and letting the music breathe. One informs the other, and I think that’s why people keep coming back to my sets, there’s a feeling that’s consistent from studio to club.
What are you noticing in the electronic music landscape right now that feels interesting or overlooked?
Afro house is still underrated outside Europe. There’s a lot of depth and emotion in it that doesn’t get enough attention, and that’s part of what I focus on. Blending genres and regional influences is exciting too, and it’s what makes the tracks I play and produce feel unique to my niche audience.
When you think about the environments your music is made for, do you picture intimate rooms, large systems, or something in between?
I aim for something in between. Tracks need to hit in a club but also feel personal if someone’s listening at home. That balance has been key in building a connection with people who follow me in the Afro-house scene globally.
Collaboration in electronic music can be both inspiring and complex. How do you decide who you want to work with?
It’s mostly about vibe and chemistry. I work with people who understand the energy I chase and can bring something complementary. That approach has helped me build projects that resonate with both local and international audiences.
What’s currently challenging you in your creative process, and what feels like it’s opening new ground?
Finding new sounds that feel authentic is always the challenge. At the same time, experimenting with vocals from different cultures or blending Afro rhythms with unexpected textures is opening new doors. That’s what keeps the music fresh and keeps my sets exciting for a global audience.
