07/03/2025
ZERB’s 12 Years of Never Giving Up: From São Paulo’s Underground to Global Sensation
Interview and story by Martin Prifti
Growing up in Brazil’s zestful and diverse cultural hub, ZERB was drawn to rock and hip-hop, but it was Skrillex’s explosive beats that sparked his passion for electronic music. With no Portuguese tutorials available, he taught himself by watching YouTube videos and experimenting with FL Studio—a long-lasting journey defined by trial and error.
Success didn’t come easy. Just a year ago, ZERB was ready to quit. After playing over 300 shows in Brazil and performing at major festivals, he shifted his sound to something more personal. Then the pandemic hit, and the music industry turned chaotic. His last attempt in November 2023, the EP SURRENDER, featuring the track Mwaki, initially flopped with just 18 plays in its first week. But a TikTok reaction video changed everything, sending the song viral and catapulting ZERB into the spotlight. “That was the boost I needed to keep going,” he says.
What sets ZERB apart is his ability to blend electronic deep/future house with raw emotion, creating something uniquely his own—a reflection of his mood and environment at any given moment. His latest blow-up single, Location, a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign and Wiz Khalifa, is a masterclass in balancing infectious rhythms with emotive melodies, solidifying his place as one of electronic music’s most exciting names. The track is a true statement, dominating charts and earning praise from fans and critics alike.
Collaboration has, in fact, been key to his growth, with artists like Chris Martin teaching him that “there’s no ‘better’ in music—it’s just different.” ZERB plans to keep doing just that: creating, collaborating, and sharing sounds that inspire him, believing that “music is the universal language that connects people in ways nothing else can.”
For anyone dreaming of making it in the music industry, ZERB’s advice is simple: don’t give up. “I know it’s hard,” he says. “But your life can change in an instant. Create content, share your music, and keep pushing forward. It took me 12 years to get here, but every moment was worth it.”
Zerb
