Florian Ruiz-Picasso (born 21 February 1990), is a French DJ and record producer based in Cannes.[2] By adoption, he is a great-grandson of the well-known artist, Pablo Picasso.[3][4][5] He gained recognition for collaborations with Martin Garrix, Nicky Romero and Steve Aoki.[4] In 2016, he was ranked by DJ Mag at 38th on their annual list of Top 100 DJs.[6]

Florian Picasso
Born (1990-02-21) 21 February 1990 (age 34)
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
OriginCannes, France
Genres
Occupations
Years active2011–present
Labels
Websitehttp://florianpicasso.com/

Early and personal life

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Picasso was born in Vietnam[7] and was adopted by Marina Picasso,[8] the granddaughter of the famous artist, Pablo Picasso.[4] After his adoption, he moved to Cannes, France, and has described the city as his hometown.[9] He was also raised in Paris and Switzerland.[9] He started making music at the age of 13, when he would perform at events in his boarding school Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil.[10][11] He became more serious about his musical career at the age of 19.[10]

He currently resides in Geneva, Switzerland and Cannes, France.[10]

Career

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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.[12] 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 released his first singles on the Cr2 Records label and quickly gained recognition in the EDM world.[13] 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.[4] 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.[14] On 27 April 2015, he released "Can't Stop" as a single with fellow producer Tom Tyger via Mixmash Records.[15] On 16 November 2015, Picasso released "Want It Back (Origami)" as a single.[16][17]

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.[18] The song peaked on Billboard's Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart at 39.[19] An official music video was published by Protocol Recordings, it was directed by Fauns / Clubbing Vision.[11][20] 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.[4]

Florian Picasso is known for his hybrid and versatile style that encompasses genres such as electro house, progressive house, and bass house. His productions display precision and rhythm, garnering attention from tastemakers worldwide. Throughout his career, he has received support from industry publications such as DJ Mag, Dancing Astronaut, EARMILK, Mixmag Asia, and Forbes and YouTube channels House Nation and xKito helping him reach 120 million streams on Spotify and Youtube alone.[21] His achievements have earned him a spot on DJ Mag's list of top 100 DJs multiple times, reaching a rank of #38.[22]

On the 20th of January 2023 Florian Picasso released his first record 'Ay Papi' via his own brand new label 'La Californie Musique'.[22] After 'Ay Papi' Picasso released various songs under the label such as 'Unwind' and 'The Edge'.[23]

Show at the Villa Californie in Cannes

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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.[24] 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.[25]

NFT auction

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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.[26]

Discography

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Extended plays

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List of EPs, with selected details
Title Details
X
Héritage
  • Released: 3 December 2021[28]
  • Label: Stmpd
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

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Charted singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US Dance/Mix Airplay

[19]

"Final Call" 2016 39 Non-album single

Other singles

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Title Released Record Label Additional Information
That Drum 2011 Joia Records
How To Sing Toolroom
Muki Toolroom
Artifact 2013 Cr2 Records Free download
Artemis Ones To Watch Records
Ace Fake Music
Trivia 2014 Cr2 Records
Can Not Stop 2015 Mixmash Records Free download
Keep Your Eyes On Me Scorpio Music
Origami Protocol Recordings
Outline Free download
The Shape (Steve Aoki Edit) Dim Mak
Want It Back (Origami) Protocol Recordings
FRFX Mixmash Records
Saïgon 2016 Free download
Vanguard Dim Mak
Kirigami DOORN Records
Hanoi Free Download
Final Call Protocol Recordings
Danang Free Download
Mamo Protocol Recordings with Tom Tyger
Sheitan Maxximize Records
Make Up Your Mind Stmpd Rcrds with Martin Garrix
Cracked Wall Spinnin' Records with Vassy
This Is Our Time 2017 Spinnin' Records
Blast From The Past Musical Freedom
Hanabi Protocol Recordings with Raiden
X (We Don't Want No, Suwave, Vindaloo Bounce, Genesis) Spinnin' Records with Nygma, Loopers, Tom Tyger, Raiden and Blinders
With Me Spinnin' Records with Laidback Luke
Guns Down Spinnin' Records
Only For Your Love Protocol Recordings with Nicky Romero
Obsession Musical Freedom
Hanoi to Paris Free download
Here With You 2018 Dharma Worldwide with Yves V
Glitch Protocol Recordings
The Answer[29] Musical Freedom
Hikari Protocol Recordings
Midnight Sun[30] 2019 Protocol Recordings with Nicky Romero
But Us[31] Stmpd Rcrds featuring Echosmith
Restart Your Heart[32] 2020 with GRX
Armageddon[33] Dim Mak Records with Timmy Trumpet
Get Away[34] 2021 Stmpd Rcrds
Far Away[35] with GRX
Yume[36]
Make It Home[37]
This is The Voice Of Vietnam Diverse Records with THIEURHINO+
Tomorrow[38] 2022 John Legend Music with John Legend featuring Nas
The Tide[39] Stmpd Rcrds
The Tide - Extended Mix[40]
Ay Papi[41] 2023 La Californie Musique
It's Alright[42]
What's The Next Move?[43]
Shiretsu [44] Stmpd Rcrds
Safari[45] La Californie Musique
Make Me Dance[46]
The Edge[47]
Unwind[48]
Waking Dream[49]

Remixes

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2013

2014

2015

2017

References

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  1. ^ "Florian Picasso unleashes bass house monster 'Blast From The Past'". themediananny.nl. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  2. ^ "FLORIAN PICASSO". Official Global DJ Rankings. Archived from the original on 27 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Interview : quand Florian Picasso invite Steve Aoki... au musée Picasso" (in French). Direct Matin. 21 September 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Achterkleinzoon Picasso tekent platendeal bij Spinnin' Records". telegraaf.nl (in Dutch). 24 November 2016. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  5. ^ Staff, TMZ (13 February 2016). "Picasso's Grandson -- We Love Kanye ... Thanks for Honoring My Great Granddad!". TMZ. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  6. ^ "Top 100 DJs 2016 | DJMag.com". djmag.com. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  7. ^ vietnamnet.vn. "Famous Dutch DJ to perform at Da Nang festival - News VietNamNet". english.vietnamnet.vn. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  8. ^ "Florian Picasso's Facebook Post". www.facebook.com. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2019. I was adopted at three months old from Vietnam (sic) my mother Marina Picasso is the best life brought me so far.
  9. ^ a b Remmers, Christopher (12 September 2017). "Travel Profile: Florian Picasso". Suncity Paradise. Retrieved 7 September 2021. 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.'
  10. ^ a b c Prince, Dan (9 July 2013). "Florian Picasso - DMC World Magazine". DMC World Magazine. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  11. ^ a b Lamberski, Jamie (22 June 2016). "Meet the EDM Producer & Great Grandson of the Great Pablo Picasso". EDM.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  12. ^ maz_adm_2018 (3 March 2021). "In conversation with Florian Picasso". Numéro Netherlands. Retrieved 19 June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "Florian Picasso". DMC World Magazine. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  14. ^ LaSane, Andrew (21 January 2015). "Pablo Picasso's Great-Grandson Is a Globetrotting EDM DJ". Complex. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  15. ^ BWW News Desk (20 April 2015). "Tom Tyger & Florian Picasso to Release Single 'Can't Stop', 4/27". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  16. ^ BWW News Desk (16 November 2015). "Florian Picasso Drops 'Want It Back (Origami)'". Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  17. ^ Khalidi, Hamed (28 April 2015). "Tom Tyger & Florian Picasso – Can't Stop (Original Mix)". Bangin Beats. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  18. ^ Pesavento, Nick (3 June 2016). "Florian Picasso - Final Call - By The Wavs". By The Wavs. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  19. ^ a b "Florian Picasso - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  20. ^ Protocol Recordings (1 June 2016), Florian Picasso - Final Call (Official Music Video), retrieved 23 November 2016
  21. ^ HAYES, OLIVER (20 January 2023). "Florian Picasso Announces New Label La Californie Musique With His Single 'Ay Papi' - Bridge Magazine". thebridgemag.com. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Artistic House DJ Florian Picasso Releases 'Ay Papi'". NEW KG (in French). 27 January 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Florian Picasso". Spotify. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  24. ^ Bendoni, Kasey (19 February 2021). "Great-Grandson of Pablo Picasso Announces Live DJ Set from Legendary Artist's Workshop in Cannes". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  25. ^ Bosk, Andry (13 August 2020). "Florian Picasso performed an outstanding show at the Villa Californie in Cannes". Rave Jungle. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  26. ^ Holmes, Helen (31 January 2022). "Florian Picasso's NFT Auction Has Hit a Snag". Observer. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  27. ^ X - EP by Florian Picasso, 24 March 2017, retrieved 15 September 2022
  28. ^ Goldenberg, Ross (9 December 2021). "Florian Picasso reflects on his 'Héritage' with progressive house-filled EP on STMPD RCRDS". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  29. ^ "The Answer - Single by Florian Picasso on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  30. ^ Fabrick, Mark (13 May 2019). "Nicky Romero and Florian Picasso join forces for 'Midnight Sun'". Your EDM. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  31. ^ "But Us (feat. Echosmith) - Single by Florian Picasso on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  32. ^ Goldenberg, Ross (17 April 2020). "Martin Garrix resurrects GRX alias on Florian Picasso collaboration, 'Restart Your Heart'". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  33. ^ "Armageddon - Single by Timmy Trumpet & Florian Picasso on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  34. ^ Get Away, 26 March 2021, retrieved 19 June 2023
  35. ^ Goldenberg, Ross (1 November 2021). "Florian Picasso pays homage to his roots on nostalgic first 'Héritage' piece with Martin Garrix, 'Far Away'". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  36. ^ "Yume - Single by Florian Picasso on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  37. ^ Make It Home, 3 December 2021, retrieved 19 June 2023
  38. ^ Tomorrow, 4 February 2022, retrieved 19 June 2023
  39. ^ The Tide, 10 June 2022, retrieved 19 June 2023
  40. ^ The Tide - Extended Mix, 10 June 2022, retrieved 19 June 2023
  41. ^ Ay Papi, 20 January 2023, retrieved 19 June 2023
  42. ^ It's Alright, 10 February 2023, retrieved 19 June 2023
  43. ^ What's The Next Move?, 24 February 2023, retrieved 19 June 2023
  44. ^ Shiretsu, 10 March 2023, retrieved 19 June 2023
  45. ^ Safari, 31 March 2023, retrieved 19 June 2023
  46. ^ Make Me Dance, 14 April 2023, retrieved 19 June 2023
  47. ^ The Edge, 5 May 2023, retrieved 19 June 2023
  48. ^ Unwind, 26 May 2023, retrieved 19 June 2023
  49. ^ Waking Dream, 16 June 2023, retrieved 19 June 2023
  50. ^ Kusnierek, Timmy (14 November 2015). "Nervo - The Other Boys (Florian Picasso Remix)". Your EDM. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
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