Instagram Millionaire Gianluca Vacchi Talks DJ Career, Befriending J Balvin & Shutting Down Haters (2024)

There he is dancing on a table in Italy withZac Efron. There, taking the stage in Turkey with buddy Luis Fonsi.Here, all smiles with an arm aroundCristiano Ronaldo. And there, showing off his toned, heavily tattooed figure whiledancing to Pitbull on a private pool deck in Ibiza. Scrolling through the Instagram of Italian entrepreneurGianluca Vacchi, there’s no shortage of glamorousyacht parties, private jet selfies and celebrity sightings — just ask the 11 million followers who track every move of the 50-year-old,self-described “global entertainer.”

Bornin Bologna, Italy, Vacchiis heir tothe IMA group, a company specializing in industrial packaging and pharmacy, and has padded his fortune with several entrepreneurial efforts including luxury watch brand ToyWatch. And since creating his Instagram in May 2013, Vacchi has built a powerful brand off what he terms the “GV Lifestyle,” which includes a clothing and accessories line and a book titledEnjoy.

But if you’ve been following Vacchi lately, you’ll notice that a new activity has begun to take up his timeline: Learning to DJ. Vacchi is entering what he callshis “second life” with a music career, releasing his first single “Viento” — a Latin-flavored jam that pays homage to Vacchi’s Argentinian roots — on Spinnin’ Records shortlyafter his 50th birthday in August, with help from buddies Fonsiand J Balvin. And the link between his social media stardom and jump to the music world is closer than an outsider might think.

“I’m very attracted by any form of conversation,” Vacchi tells Billboard over the phone from Milan. “If it’s a single conversation between me and you…or a conversation with a public or with a crowd, which can be through social media, or with a crowd on a dancefloor, through this kind of conventional dialogue, which is music.”

Great night at @miaclubbing @nicolazucchi #gianlucavacchi

A post shared by Gianluca Vacchi (@gianlucavacchi) on Sep 3, 2017 at 5:30am PDT

It helps that music runs in thefamily. Growing up in Bologna, Vacchi received piano lessons from his Argentiniangrandmother, a piano teacher, and hisclose cousin grew up to be a contemporary composer. “I love to dance, I love to entertain people,” Vacchicontinues. “So this carries me to the natural consequence of trying to be a DJ.”

For most aspiringDJs, the first step might be to aim for gigs at local clubs.But not when you’re Gianluca Vacchi. Hisfirst venture into music came at the direct request of Colombian reggaeton superstarBalvin, who reached out to Vacchi after becoming interested in the Italian influencer on— you guessed it — Instagram.?

The two became fast friends(“Balvin is really a little brother for me,” Vacchi says), and it wasn’t long before Vacchi was invited to appear in the vibrant music video for Balvin’s chart-climbing Willy William collab, “Mi Gente,” which has logged more than 790 million views on YouTube to date.“I arrived on the stage, and I said to Balvin, ‘so, give me the choreography,'” Vacchi says.“He said, ‘no, no, you jump on the stage, you do what you want.’”

Vacchi says Balvin and other Latin music stars, like Fonsi, began to offer him advice for forging a career in the music industry.In turn, Vacchi offered his own words of wisdom on the pleasure-seeking, lavish “GV Lifestyle” — “I’ve been being like, a lifestyle guru for them,” he explains.But it would take more than a couple tips to bring Vacchi’s dreams of DJ stardom to fruition. Vacchi says he’s been working on his craft for “many months — hours and hours a day” at a private disco venue he built in his own house.

Creating his first single, “Viento,” Vacchi was immediately drawn to Latin sounds, which should come as no surprise to his followers. The hilarious, obviously-choreographed dancing videos Vacchiis known for posting to Instagram are nearly always set to Latin tracks, from Ricky Martin‘s “La Mordidita” to Pitbull’s “Fireball.” “I don’t want to exaggerate, but I could say that it’s the new hip-hop,” Vacchi says of Latin music, noting the international success of “Mi Gente.” “It’s the music that makes you feel it. You cannot stand still when you listen to it.”

DESPACITO @jogiorgiajo @luisfonsi @daddyyankee @effek #Despacito #Miami #daddyyankee #luisfonsi @effek #effek #GVcapsule #GGcapsule #gvlifestyle

A post shared by Gianluca Vacchi (@gianlucavacchi) on Apr 9, 2017 at 9:31am PDT

“Viento,” or “Wind,” borrows a catchy chorus from a Colombian chant that Vacchi said hecaught ear ofwhile watching adocumentary by United Nations agency UNESCO: “nací con viento crecí con barco,” or, “I was born with the wind, I grew up with the boat.” Keeping with the theme, the music video takes place on a boat — though because it’s Vacchi we’re talking about, this particular boat is a luxury yacht.

But you can’t attract a social media fan following that overtakes the population of New York Citywithoutpicking up a few nay-sayers along the way. Asked whether he’s received any flack for his sudden venture into music, Vacchiadmits that not everyone has been welcoming. “They think thatto be a DJ you have to have conventional experience,” he says. “You don’t need a license to DJ. The only entity that can judge you is the public, the crowd.” Well, the public has spoken: On YouTube, “Viento” has picked up more than 3 million views to date, the single itself racking up 2 million streams on Spotify.

And Vacchi says his DJ career is just getting started. He’s claimed a spotat the upcomingAmsterdam Dance Event, a prestigious five-day electronic music conference and festival, where he’ll host an exclusive eventon Oct. 21. Currently, Vacchi is in the studio working on his next track release, which hesays will follow a Latin-influenced style similar to “Viento.” And DJ training aside, Vacchipoints to his persona as entertainer— the same vigor for livingthat attracts millions to his Instagram — as the crucial factorthat will keep fans listening.

“There’s a part that you cannot learn — you have it or you don’t — which is what kind of vibe you share with people and transmit to people when you’re DJing,” Vacchi says.“That part, I think I can give.”