HUGEL: The French DJ Revolutionizing Latin House

From Marseille to global stardom, HUGEL’s journey is a testament to passion and innovation in electronic music.

Early Roots: A Musical Melting Pot

Hugel grew up in Marseille, a port city buzzing with cultural diversity. His mother introduced him to funk and disco, while local sounds—from French hip-hop to North African rhythms—fueled his curiosity. By 16, he swapped homework for turntables, inspired by icons like Daft Punk and Carl Cox.

Soon, he landed gigs in St. Tropez and Monaco, mixing house beats with unexpected global samples. “I wanted my sets to feel like a party,” he later shared. This mindset became his trademark.

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Breakthrough: From Local DJ to Global Star

Hugel’s big break came in 2017 with “I Believe I’ Fine,” a collab with Robin Schulz. But it was his 2018 remix of “Bella Ciao” that exploded. The track racked up 280 million streams, turning Hugel into a household name.

How’d he do it? First, he leaned into Latin rhythms, a gamble at the time. Second, he embraced social media, sharing studio snippets and crowd reactions. Consequently, his fanbase grew organically.

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Inventing Latin House: The Hugel Sound

In 2021, Hugel dropped “Morenita,” a track that defined Latin house. Blowing up charts globally, it merged flamenco guitars with tech-house basslines. Suddenly, everyone wanted that “Hugel groove.”

His secret? “I steal from everywhere,” he jokes. For example, “I Adore You” (2024) mixes Persian vocals (courtesy of Arash) with German producer Topic’s synths. This genre-blending keeps his sound fresh.

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Collabs & Clout: Working with Music Giants

Hugel’s versatility attracts A-listers. He’s remixed for David Guetta, crafted beats for J Balvin, and even reworked classics for Beyoncé’s Renaissance album. Each partnership boosts his reach.

“Collaborating teaches me new tricks,” he says. Take his Ibiza residencies—by watching crowds at Ushuaïa, he learned how to balance nostalgia (think Bob Sinclar remixes) with cutting-edge drops.

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Stage Mastery: Festival Domination

Hugel isn’t just a producer—he’s a performer. At Tomorrowland, he packed 50,000 fans into his set; at Lollapalooza, fans climbed trees just to see him. His formula? Open with a viral hit, weave in unreleased IDs, and close with a singalong moment.

Plus, his fashion sense—retro jerseys, neon shades—makes his shows visual spectacles. “If you look good, you feel good,” he told Mixmag. “And that energy spreads.”