Thirty years after Robert Miles made history with “Children” — the groundbreaking track that fused emotional piano melodies with club-ready rhythms and topped charts in more than a dozen countries — the iconic instrumental returns in a bold new form. Reborn as “Hutia,” the track is transformed into an afro house reinvention featuring Kikuyu lyrics performed by Kenyan singer-songwriter Sofiya Nzau.
The new release comes from Dutch DJ and producer Madism, a Spotify heavyweight whose catalog boasts over a billion streams alongside remix credits for artists such as Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, Dermot Kennedy, and Sam Smith. In “Hutia,” he reimagines Miles’ timeless piano motif within a richly textured afro house framework, preserving the atmospheric beauty of the original while introducing deep rhythmic layers that carry it into new sonic territory.
At the heart of the track, Sofiya Nzau delivers a powerful vocal performance in Kikuyu — the language of Kenya’s largest ethnic group — singing of longing, closeness, and the intoxicating power of touch. Her lyrics, “Tondu wahutia wahutia … Ukangorokia,” embody a moment where intimacy overwhelms the senses, adding an emotional depth that elevates the track’s resonance.
“Hutia” is both a tribute and a transformation. Just as “Children” redefined trance and inspired generations of artists from Tiësto to Paul van Dyk, this new interpretation expands its legacy into afro house, infusing fresh vitality into a track that has never lost its magic.
“Hutia” by Sofiya Nzau, Madism, and Robert Miles is out now via Warner Music Central Europe.
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