Florian Picasso
{{Short description|French DJ and record producer based in Cannes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Florian Picasso
| image = Florian Picasso Cejlon.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}}
| birth_place = Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| genre = {{hlist|Hard House|Hard Groove{{cite web|url=https://electronicgroove.com/florian-picasso-launches-dkd-records-with-hi-heels/ |title=Florian Picasso launches DKD RECORDS with 'Hi Heels' |publisher=Electronic Groove|access-date=9 April 2025}}}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|DJ|record producer}}
| years_active = 2011–present
| label = {{hlist|Hot Meal Records|DKD Records|Ultra Music|Protocol Recordings|Spinnin' Records|Mixmash Records|House Of House|Cr2 Records|Scorpio Music|Stmpd Rcrds}}
| associated_acts =
| website = http://florianpicasso.com/
}}
Florian Ruiz-Picasso is a French DJ and record producer based in Cannes.{{cite web|url=http://dj-rankings.com/DJ-FLORIAN_PICASSO/|title=FLORIAN PICASSO|publisher=Official Global DJ Rankings|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427194804/http://dj-rankings.com/DJ-FLORIAN_PICASSO/|archive-date=April 27, 2016}} By adoption, he is a great-grandson of the well-known artist, Pablo Picasso.{{cite web|url=http://www.directmatin.fr/musique/2015-09-21/interview-quand-florian-picasso-invite-steve-aoki-au-musee-picasso-711443|title=Interview : quand Florian Picasso invite Steve Aoki... au musée Picasso|publisher=Direct Matin|date=September 21, 2015|language=fr}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/filmenuitgaan/27092529/__Achterkleinzoon_Picasso_tekent_platendeal__.html|title=Achterkleinzoon Picasso tekent platendeal bij Spinnin' Records|date=24 November 2016|newspaper=telegraaf.nl|language=nl-NL|access-date=2016-11-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124065626/http://www.telegraaf.nl/filmenuitgaan/27092529/__Achterkleinzoon_Picasso_tekent_platendeal__.html|archive-date=24 November 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2016/02/13/picasso-grandson-kanye-album-the-life-of-pablo/|title=Picasso's Grandson -- We Love Kanye ... Thanks for Honoring My Great Granddad!|last=Staff|first=TMZ|date=13 February 2016|website=TMZ|access-date=2016-11-23}} He gained recognition for collaborations with Martin Garrix, Nicky Romero and Steve Aoki. In 2016, he was ranked by DJ Mag at 38th on their annual list of Top 100 DJs.{{Cite web|url=https://djmag.com/top100dj?year=2016|title=Top 100 DJs 2016 {{!}} DJMag.com|website=djmag.com|access-date=2016-11-23}}
Since 2024, Picasso has pursued a more underground and independent musical direction. In 2025, he launched his own label, DKD Records, debuting with the Hi Heels EP, which introduced a harder, more groove-oriented techno sound.{{Cite web |last=Wilkinson |first=Juan Ignacio R. |date=2024-12-06 |title=Florian Picasso: "DJing is about connection, not the spotlight" |url=https://electronicgroove.com/florian-picasso-interview-2024/ |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Electronic Groove |language=en-US}} He also initiated Dekadance, envisioned as a creative movement and platform for genre-blending electronic music.{{Cite web |last=Wilkinson |first=Juan Ignacio R. |date=2025-04-09 |title=Florian Picasso launches DKD RECORDS with 'Hi Heels' |url=https://electronicgroove.com/florian-picasso-launches-dkd-records-with-hi-heels/ |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Electronic Groove |language=en-US}}
In 2025, following the release of his Hi Heels EP on DKD Records, Picasso released his second major project of the year, the single "When I Saw U". The track was designed to evoke a sense of pure happiness and emotional uplift, aiming to capture the instant, euphoric feeling of connection when someone enters a room.{{Cite web |last=Hamdan |first=Hana |title=RB Exclusive Interview: Florian Picasso Reveals the Euphoric Spark of ‘When I Saw U’ |url=https://relentlessbeats.com/2025/05/rb-exclusive-interview-florian-picasso-reveals-the-euphoric-spark-of-when-i-saw-u/ |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Relentless Beats |language=en-US}} Picasso’s recent work reflects his focus on releasing music independently and shaping his own artistic direction.{{Cite web |title=Florian Picasso - When I Saw U (Extended Mix), by Florian Picasso |url=https://hotmeal.bandcamp.com/track/florian-picasso-when-i-saw-u-extended-mix |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Hot Meal Records |language=en}}
Early and personal life
Picasso was born in Vietnam{{Cite web|url=http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/art-entertainment/157366/famous-dutch-dj-to-perform-at-da-nang-festival.html|title=Famous Dutch DJ to perform at Da Nang festival - News VietNamNet|last=vietnamnet.vn|website=english.vietnamnet.vn|access-date=2016-11-23|archive-date=24 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124025244/http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/art-entertainment/157366/famous-dutch-dj-to-perform-at-da-nang-festival.html|url-status=dead}} and was adopted by Marina Picasso,{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/florianpicasso/posts/10153514511067832|title=Florian Picasso's Facebook Post|date=February 13, 2016|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-20|quote=I was adopted at three months old from Vietnam (sic) my mother Marina Picasso is the best life brought me so far.}} the granddaughter of the famous artist, Pablo Picasso. After his adoption, he moved to Cannes, France, and has described the city as his hometown. He was also raised in Paris and Switzerland.{{cite web|last=Remmers|first=Christopher|title=Travel Profile: Florian Picasso|url=https://www.suncityparadise.com/article/travel-profile-florian-picasso/|date=12 September 2017|access-date=7 September 2021|website=Suncity Paradise|quote=Growing up between Paris, Cannes and Switzerland ... 'Cannes is my hometown. It was the first place I lived in after leaving Vietnam at three months old. I grew up there.'}} He started making music at the age of 13, when he would perform at events in his boarding school Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil.{{Cite news|url=http://www.dmcworld.net/features/florian-picasso/|title=Florian Picasso - DMC World Magazine|last=Prince|first=Dan|date=9 July 2013|newspaper=DMC World Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-23}}{{Cite news|url=http://edm.com/articles/2016/6/22/florian-picasso|title=Meet the EDM Producer & Great Grandson of the Great Pablo Picasso|last=Lamberski|first=Jamie|date=22 June 2016|newspaper=EDM.com|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805001505/http://edm.com/articles/2016/6/22/florian-picasso|archive-date=5 August 2017|url-status=dead}} He became more serious about his musical career at the age of 19.
He currently resides in Geneva, Switzerland and Cannes, France.
Career
Florian Picasso grew up between Paris, Cannes, and Switzerland. Florian's passion for music began at a young age, with a love for classic hip-hop. His musical influences expanded as he discovered electronic music through artists like Basement Jaxx and Groove Armada. Starting at the age of 13, Florian began DJing and honing his skills on a basic setup.{{Cite web |last=maz_adm_2018 |date=2021-03-03 |title=In conversation with Florian Picasso |url=https://www.numeromag.nl/conversation-florian-picasso/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=Numéro Netherlands |language=en-US}} He quickly developed his own style, showcasing a versatile range of genres from trance to trap and electro house.
Florian Picasso started his career as a DJ and music producer in 2013. He has collaborated with several renowned DJs and producers, including Steve Aoki, Nicky Romero and Martin Garrix. Picasso has performed at major music festivals such as Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland. He has been performing in big clubs since he was 16 years old, has opened for acts like Swedish House Mafia and began headlining his own shows.{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/style/2015/01/pablo-picasso-great-grandson-is-an-edm-dj|title=Pablo Picasso's Great-Grandson Is a Globetrotting EDM DJ|last=LaSane|first=Andrew|date=21 January 2015|website=Complex|access-date=2016-11-23}}
On 29 June 2016, he released a single titled "Final Call" through Armada Music under exclusive license from Protocol Recordings, a label run by Nicky Romero.{{Cite news|url=http://bythewavs.com/florian-picasso-final-call/|title=Florian Picasso - Final Call - By The Wavs|last=Pesavento|first=Nick|date=3 June 2016|newspaper=By The Wavs|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-23}} The song peaked on Billboard's Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart at 39. On 23 November 2016, it was announced that Picasso signed a deal with Spinnin' Records, with whom he released a single titled "Cracked Wall" on 2 December 2016. Florian Picasso was known for his hybrid and versatile style that encompasses genres such as electro house, progressive house, and bass house. His achievements have earned him a spot on DJ Mag's list of top 100 DJs multiple times, reaching a rank of #38.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-27 |title=Artistic House DJ Florian Picasso Releases 'Ay Papi' |url=https://www.new-kg.com/post/artistic-house-dj-florian-picasso-releases-ay-papi |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=NEW KG |language=fr}}
In 2024 and 2025, Picasso's career took a significant turn as he embraced a more independent sound focused on hard groove. In 2025, he launched his own label, DKD Records, and released the Hi Heels EP, which featured a hard groove style that marked a shift towards his evolving, self-directed musical identity. Also in 2025, he released the single "When I Saw U" on Hot Meal Records, the label run by well-known DJ Badboombox. The track reflected Picasso's focus on emotional uplift and pure happiness, marking a further step in his move towards independent music production and artistic freedom. This period highlighted Picasso's commitment to autonomy in the music industry, creating releases on his own terms.{{Cite web |last=Farmer |first=Grahame |date=2025-04-21 |title=Getting to Know… Florian Picasso |url=https://datatransmission.co/blog/getting-to-know-florian-picasso-2025/ |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Data Transmission |language=en-GB}}
Show at the Villa Californie in Cannes
On August 11, 2020, Florian Picasso organized a captivating music and light show at Villa La Californie. This was an exclusive, 90-minute DJ set live from Pablo Picasso's atelier in his villa in Cannes. The backdrop of the performance was recreated to showcase the atelier as it was when Pablo lived and worked in it. In addition, Vietnamese/French painter and graffiti artist Cyril Kongo will paint a custom piece live throughout the stream. After the show, Kongo's work was auctioned off to buyers. Proceeds were directed to Vietnam's Quang Chau Foundation Orphanage.{{Cite web |last=Bendoni |first=Kasey |date=2021-02-19 |title=Great-Grandson of Pablo Picasso Announces Live DJ Set from Legendary Artist's Workshop in Cannes |url=https://edm.com/events/florian-picasso-announces-live-dj-set-pablo-picasso-workshop |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists |language=en}} The presentation involved the efforts of over 25 individuals who worked diligently for a period of four months. Florian expressed that turning the entire house into a moving piece of art felt like the right way to pay tribute to what this place represents and the history it has. "My team and I put a lot of work into this show and the response has been absolutely amazing so far.", said Florian.{{Cite web |last=Bosk |first=Andry |date=2020-08-13 |title=Florian Picasso performed an outstanding show at the Villa Californie in Cannes |url=https://www.ravejungle.com/2020/08/13/florian-picasso-live-stream-villa-californie/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=Rave Jungle |language=en-US}}
NFT auction
Florian Picasso's intended to auction an NFT connected to a ceramic bowl claimed to be crafted by his great-grandfather, Pablo Picasso. Musician John Legend had written a new song together with Nas and Florian to accompany the Picasso NFT auction.
Florian and his mother, Marina Picasso, initially announced that the NFT and the bowl would be up for auction in March 2022. However, it later became apparent that the auction would also include NFTs associated with Florian's own work, rather than Pablo's. This confusion prompted the Picasso estate to intervene and prevent the auction from proceeding without their permission.
According to The Art Newspaper, the Picasso Administration stated that Florian and Marina's project would be considered "counterfeit" if the sale were to take place without obtaining proper authorization. Despite the setback, it has been clarified that the NFT sale has been postponed rather than cancelled. Florian Picasso's manager, Cyril Noterman, expressed the intention to provide further details to alleviate the confusion surrounding the situation.
Swift action was taken, and the NFT was removed from the auction platform. The licensing agent responsible for Basquiat's archive clarified that the estate owned the copyright to the artwork and had not granted any license or rights to the seller. Consequently, the NFT was withdrawn from sale.{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Helen |date=2022-01-31 |title=Florian Picasso's NFT Auction Has Hit a Snag |url=https://observer.com/2022/01/florian-picassos-nft-auction-has-hit-a-snag/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=Observer |language=en-US}}
Discography
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of EPs, with selected details ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Details |
| scope="row" | X
| |
|---|
| scope="row" | Héritage
|
|
| Hi Heels EP
|
|
= Singles =
== Charted singles ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="2" scope="col"| Title
! rowspan="2" scope="col"| Year ! scope="col" | Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" scope="col"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US Dance/Mix Airplay |
| scope="row" | "Final Call"
| 2016 | 39 |{{N/A|Non-album single}} |
==Other singles==
= Remixes =
2013
- Tegan & Sara - Closer (Florian Picasso Remix) [Warner]
2014
- Benny Benassi & Gary Go - Let This Last Forever (Florian Picasso Remix) [Ultra]
- Christina Perri - Burning Gold (Florian Picasso Remix) [Atlantic Records]
- Steve Aoki & Flux Pavilion - Get Me Outta Here (Florian Picasso Remix) [Ultra]
- NERVO & R3hab featuring Ayah Marar - Ready For The Weekend (Florian Picasso Remix) [Spinnin / Free]
2015
- NERVO featuring Nile Rodgers, Kylie Minogue & Jake Shears - The Other Boys (Florian Picasso Remix) [Ultra]{{Cite web|url=http://www.youredm.com/2015/11/14/nervo-the-other-boys-florian-picasso-remix/|title=Nervo - The Other Boys (Florian Picasso Remix)|last=Kusnierek|first=Timmy|date=14 November 2015|website=Your EDM|access-date=2016-11-23}}
2017
- Oliver Heldens feat. Ida Corr - Good Life (Florian Picasso Remix) [Heldeep Records]
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://www.florianpicasso.com Official website]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Picasso, Florian}}
Category:French dance musicians
Category:Spinnin' Records artists
Category:Vietnamese record producers
Category:Vietnamese emigrants to France
Category:Vietnamese expatriates in Switzerland
Category:French expatriates in Switzerland