First things first: Sofi Tukker isn’t one person—it’s two. Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern are the masterminds behind the music. The pair met at Brown University, and what started as a casual collaboration quickly morphed into something electric. Tucker, a former basketball player turned DJ and producer, brought his love of dance music to the table. Sophie, with her background in bossa nova and a voice that could charm a cobra, added a unique twist to their sound. Together, they’re a match made in musical heaven.
The duo’s music is often described as “jungle pop,” a genre they practically invented. Imagine if the Amazon rainforest threw a rave, and you’re halfway there. Their debut single, “Drinkee,” was an instant hit, with its catchy guitar riff and Portuguese lyrics inspired by a poem by Brazilian poet Chacal. The song got them a Grammy nomination and introduced the world to their infectious, genre-bending style.
But it’s not just their wild music—their live shows are an experience all their own. They’ve got a knack for turning any venue into a vibrant, neon-lit jungle.
In fact, Sofi Tukker is helping to create a rainforest, which aligns with Deep Tropics Electronic Music Festival’s eco-friendly initiatives. Sophie explained, “I would say we are far from perfect, and many things we do are unsustainable. We travel for a living, so there’s that. But we are planting trees—specifically, endangered species—in the Atlanta Green Forest. It’s a really cool project we have with our company, Novo Fogo, and we’re really passionate about it.”
What makes Sofi Tukker stand out is their global appeal. They’re like musical magpies, picking up influences from worldwide and blending them into their sound. You’ll hear everything from African beats to Latin rhythms, with a sprinkling of European house vibes. Their lyrics often switch between English, Portuguese, and other languages, making their music feel like it belongs everywhere and nowhere all at once.
But nothing beats Brazilian music in their hearts. “I’m just obsessed with Brazilian music. I have to learn Portuguese. Then I learned Portuguese, moved to Brazil, and just fell deeper in love with it,” Sophie explained.
Their second album, WET TENNIS, celebrates their eclectic influences. The title is an acronym for “When Everyone Tries to Evolve, Nothing Negative Is Safe,” which is exactly the kind of upbeat, positive message you’d expect from a band that can make even the most rhythmically challenged person dance like a pro.
If you can’t get enough of Sofi Tukker, you’ll be excited to know that the duo recently released their third studio album, “BREAD.” The title stands for “Be Really Energetic and Dance,” a mantra that the Grammy-nominated American duo has always lived by. Originally, “BREAD” was a literal reference, as they see the doughy food as a physical embodiment of energy—something that fuels their movement. With this album, they aim for their music to energize listeners in the same way.
To learn more about Sofi Tukkker, including what inspires them to do their music, listen to our full interview below.
