Gabry Ponte
Gabriele "Gabry" Ponte (born April 20, 1973) is an Italian DJ, record producer, remixer, and musician, renowned for his contributions to electronic dance music (EDM) and his role as a founding member of the Eurodance group Eiffel 65.[1][2] Born in Turin, Italy, Ponte began his career in the early 1990s as a DJ and producer, initially working with the Italian label Bliss Corporation on projects like the Bliss Team and Da Blitz before co-founding Eiffel 65 in 1998.[2][3] With Eiffel 65, Ponte achieved international breakthrough through the 1999 single "Blue (Da Ba Dee)", which topped charts in multiple countries, sold over 8 million copies worldwide, and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording in 2000.[4][5] The group's success propelled Ponte's visibility, leading to further hits like "Move Your Body" and albums such as Europop (1999) and Contact! (2001), which collectively amassed millions in sales and established him as a key figure in late-1990s Eurodance.[2] Ponte began his solo career while still with the group, releasing tracks such as "Geordie" (2001), "Time to Rock" (2004), "Got to Get" (2004), and "La Danza delle Libellule" (2005), which became staples in Italian dance music and earned him multi-platinum certifications; he left Eiffel 65 in 2005.[5][2] Over the subsequent decades, Ponte has solidified his status as a global EDM influencer, collaborating with artists like Diddy, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Lil Jon, while amassing over 4 billion streams across platforms and ranking among Italy's most-streamed artists as of 2025.[6][4] His production work extends to songwriting, including contributions to Austria's 2022 Eurovision entry "Halo" by LUM!X featuring Pia Maria, and he has performed hundreds of live sets annually, reaching over 700,000 fans in 2023 alone.[4] In 2025, Ponte represented San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest with the high-energy track "Tutta l'Italia", qualifying for the grand final and finishing 26th, further highlighting his enduring impact on dance music.[4][7]Early life
Birth and family background
Gabriele Ponte, professionally known as Gabry Ponte, was born on April 20, 1973, in Turin, Piedmont, Italy.[8][2][9] He grew up in the city of Turin during the 1970s and 1980s, where his interest in music began to develop in his mid-teens.[10] Ponte was raised in a family with no notable background in music, though they supported his early passion for the art form.[8]Entry into music and DJing
Gabry Ponte began his musical journey in his teenage years amid the vibrant electronic scene of northern Italy. Growing up in Turin, he developed a passion for music early on, influenced by the emerging sounds of Italo-dance and euro-dance genres that echoed the Italo disco and house music movements of the preceding decade.[2][8][3] At the age of 17, around 1990, Ponte started DJing in Turin's local club scene, performing at small venues where he honed his skills by spinning records and creating mixtapes on basic setups. These early gigs allowed him to immerse himself in the growing electronic music culture, balancing his performances with school while building a reputation among local audiences through energetic sets that blended house rhythms and disco-infused beats.[2][8][3] In the early 1990s, Ponte transitioned into production, experimenting with small-scale tracks using rudimentary equipment typical of the era's home studios. While starting his DJ career, he briefly studied physics at university but did not complete the degree.[11] By 1993, he joined the Bliss Corporation label in Turin as a DJ and producer, which provided a platform for his initial professional endeavors. His first notable work came in the mid-1990s, when he created remixes for local Italian acts, including the 1994 "Take My Way (D.J. Gabry Ponte Mix)" for Da Blitz and the 1995 "Movin' On (Gabry Ponte RMX)" for the same group, as well as contributions to projects involving the Bliss Team, showcasing his growing expertise in eurodance arrangements.[8][3][12]Career
Time with Eiffel 65 (1997–2005)
Gabry Ponte co-founded the Italian Eurodance group Eiffel 65 in 1998 alongside vocalist Jeffrey Jey (real name Gianfranco Randone) and keyboardist Maurizio Lobina at the Bliss Corporation studios in Turin, where he served as the DJ and one of the primary producers.[13] The trio quickly gained traction through their innovative use of synthesizers and vocoder effects, drawing from Ponte's experience as a club DJ in the local scene. Their collaboration began with early studio sessions that shaped the group's signature sound, blending upbeat rhythms with futuristic electronic elements.[4] The group's breakthrough came with the release of their debut single "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" in late 1998, which Ponte co-produced and featured his distinctive DJ mixes. The track became a global phenomenon, selling over 8 million copies worldwide and topping charts in more than 20 countries, including the UK, Germany, and France, where it earned a Diamond certification.[4] This success propelled their debut album Europop (1999), also produced by Ponte, which sold over 4 million copies globally and included hits like "Move Your Body" and "Too Much of Heaven." The album's commercial impact was bolstered by its double platinum status in the US, where it sold over 2 million units by early 2000.[14] Follow-up releases included the second album Contact! (2001), featuring tracks such as "Back in Time" and "Lucky (In My Life)," and the self-titled third album (2003), with songs like "Cosa Resterà (In a Song)" and "Viaggia Insieme a Me." Over their run, Eiffel 65 sold approximately 15 million records worldwide.[13] Eiffel 65's prominence led to notable accolades and performances during this era, including winning the World Music Award for World's Best Selling Italian Group in 2000, recognizing their international dominance.[13] They also received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording for "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" and performed at high-profile events, such as the Festivalbar in Italy and global tours alongside major artists. Ponte's contributions to these live shows highlighted his DJ skills, energizing crowds with extended mixes. In 2005, Ponte departed the group to pursue solo opportunities, citing a desire for creative independence after years of collaborative success.[13]Transition to solo work and label founding (2005–2011)
Following his departure from Eiffel 65 in 2005 to focus on solo endeavors, Gabry Ponte continued building his individual career with releases that bridged his group work and independent path.[15] Ponte's foundational solo project came earlier with his self-titled debut album Gabry Ponte, released in 2002 while he was still affiliated with Eiffel 65, serving as an initial exploration of his production style beyond the group.[16] The album, issued by Universal Music Italia, featured Italo dance tracks like "Geordie" and emphasized Ponte's remixing and DJing roots. It achieved moderate success in Italy, peaking at No. 16 on the national charts.[17] Building on this, Ponte issued his second studio album, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. DJ (also known as Dottor Jekyll & Mister DJ), on May 15, 2004, through Universal, marking a more assertive step into solo territory with 16 tracks blending electronic dance and vocal elements.[18] The album included standout singles such as "Figli di Pitagora," a collaboration with Italian singer Little Tony released in late 2004 but gaining traction into 2005 as a dance-pop track sampling classic Italian influences.[19] This period highlighted Ponte's shift toward thematic duality in his music, contrasting introspective and high-energy sides.[20] In 2006, Ponte established his own record label, Dance & Love, based in Turin, Italy, which quickly emerged as a key independent imprint for Italian dance music, focusing on electronic and club-oriented releases.[21] Under the label, he signed emerging artists and oversaw compilations, including the Dance & Love – The Selection series, with volumes like Vol. 1 debuting on Italian charts in 2010 and Vol. 3 following in 2011, showcasing curated dance tracks to promote the imprint's roster.[22] These efforts solidified Ponte's role as both artist and entrepreneur during his transitional years. Among his early post-label singles was "Vivi Nell'Aria" featuring Miani, released in 2009 via Zooland Records (with Dance & Love involvement), a hands-up dance track that sampled the 2006 Italo dance song "Tu (Vivi Nell'Aria)" by M2 and Miani, reflecting Ponte's affinity for remixing European club sounds.[23] This release exemplified his ongoing experimentation with upbeat, vocal-driven productions in the late 2000s.Solo resurgence and collaborations (2012–2020)
In 2012, Gabry Ponte marked his return to the international dance scene with the release of "Beat on My Drum," a collaboration featuring American rapper Pitbull and vocalist Sophia del Carmen. The track, produced under his Dance & Love label, blended electro-house elements with catchy hooks and peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart, signaling a renewed commercial momentum for Ponte's solo output. That same year, Ponte expanded his production role by crafting "Tacata'," a high-energy dance track for the Italian duo Tacabro (initially known as Romano & Sapienza), which became a global hit across Europe and Latin America. Executive produced for Dance & Love, the song's infectious rhythm and bilingual vocals propelled it to No. 4 on Italy's FIMI Singles Chart and top-10 positions in France and Spain, amassing millions in sales and streams while exemplifying Ponte's knack for viral club anthems. Building on this success, Ponte released "Buonanotte Giorno" in 2014, a melodic house single that captured the Italian summer vibe and reached the top 10 on Italy's FIMI chart, further solidifying his domestic resurgence. The track's uplifting production and nostalgic lyrics resonated widely, topping iTunes Italy and reinforcing Ponte's evolution toward accessible, festival-ready EDM.[24][25] Ponte's growing prominence was officially recognized in 2014 when he debuted at No. 61 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs poll, the highest ranking for any Italian DJ that year and a testament to his crossover appeal in the global electronic scene. This milestone highlighted his shift from 1990s Eurodance roots to contemporary big-room and progressive house, driven by consistent releases and remixing work.[26][6] Throughout the mid-to-late 2010s, Ponte continued his collaborative streak, notably reviving O-Zone's 2003 hit "Dragostea Din Tei" with a 2013 remix featuring Haiducii and Jeffrey Jey, which updated the Eurodance classic for modern club play and reignited its popularity on streaming platforms. In 2018, he issued the Dance Lab EP via Dance & Love, a four-track collection including collaborations like "Tanja" with Pop X and "#DallaAMe" featuring Danti, Shade, and Jake La Furia, showcasing his fusion of Italo-dance influences with emerging rap and pop talents.[27] By the late 2010s, Ponte had established a robust live presence, performing at over 50 international shows annually across festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra, as well as club circuits in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, which amplified his resurgence through high-energy sets blending his catalog with fresh remixes.[24]Recent projects and Eurovision participation (2021–present)
In 2021, Gabry Ponte collaborated with Austrian DJ LUM!X and Italian DJ Prezioso on the track "Thunder," released via Spinnin' Records, which became a significant hit in the electronic dance music scene. The song achieved 2× platinum certification in Italy for over 200,000 units sold, marking a strong return for Ponte in the international club circuit. Building on this momentum, Ponte teamed up again with LUM!X and French group Daddy DJ for "We Could Be Together" in June 2022, blending nostalgic house elements with modern production. The single earned gold certifications in Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, underscoring Ponte's ability to bridge generational appeal in dance music.[28] Ponte further expanded his Eurovision involvement by co-writing "Halo," performed by LUM!X featuring Pia Maria, which represented Austria at the 2022 contest in Turin and qualified for the grand final. His touring schedule intensified in 2023, with 90 performances across 11 countries that drew over 700,000 attendees, solidifying his status as a global live act.[4] In early 2025, Ponte represented San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel with "Tutta l'Italia," a high-energy dance anthem celebrating Italian culture, qualifying from the first semi-final in 10th place with 46 points before placing 26th in the grand final with 27 points. The single, released ahead of the event, peaked at No. 14 on the Italian singles chart. Later that year, on June 3, Ponte released his autobiography Dance & Love, detailing his journey from early DJing to international stardom. He made history on June 28 by headlining Milan's San Siro Stadium as the first DJ to do so, performing to a sold-out crowd of over 75,000 fans.[4][29][28]Musical style and influences
Genre evolution and production approach
Gabry Ponte's early musical style was firmly rooted in the 1990s Italo disco and Eurodance genres, most prominently showcased through his contributions to Eiffel 65's signature Europop sound, which emphasized catchy hooks, melodic structures, and layered synthesizer arrangements.[30] This approach drew heavily from the high-energy, synth-driven aesthetics of Italian dance music, featuring pulsating basslines and upbeat tempos typically ranging from 120 to 160 beats per minute.[31] In his initial productions, Ponte relied on hardware like the Atari-based Notator software and Akai S1000 sampler to craft these vibrant, hook-laden tracks.[10] As Ponte transitioned to solo work in the mid-2000s, his genre palette evolved toward modern EDM subgenres, including future rave and big room house, where he incorporated sampled elements and vocal chops to create dynamic, festival-oriented compositions.[3] Tracks like "Thunder," a 2021 collaboration with LUM!X and Prezioso, exemplify this shift, blending chopped vocal samples with explosive builds and drops designed for high-impact live performances.[30] By the 2010s, Ponte adopted digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as Studio One and others in his workflow, enabling more efficient layering of high-energy drops and tension-building progressions tailored to EDM festival crowds.[32][33] Post-2012, Ponte's production approach further diversified through collaborative EDM projects, fusing elements of Italian pop melodies with international influences like trap rhythms and bass-heavy drops, resulting in a hybrid style that maintained his melodic roots while embracing global electronic trends.[30] This evolution reflects a broader adaptation to the EDM landscape, prioritizing versatile, crowd-engaging builds over the more rigid structures of his Italo dance origins, often leveraging AI-assisted tools for rapid ideation while grounding creations in traditional musical intuition.[33]Influences
Ponte's musical influences span from the Italo disco and Eurodance scenes of the 1980s and 1990s, which informed his early work with Eiffel 65, to later inspirations from techno pioneers. In a 2025 interview, he cited artists like Richie Hawtin and John Acquaviva as key figures who shaped his approach to electronic music production and DJing.[34]Key collaborations and remixes
Gabry Ponte gained prominence in the early 2000s through his remix work, adapting popular tracks for dance floors with his signature Italo dance flair. One of his standout contributions was the 2003 remix of O-Zone's "Dragostea Din Tei," reimagined as Haiducii vs. Gabry Ponte, which infused the original Eurodance hit with heightened energy and electronic elements, becoming a club staple.[35] He also remixed other early 2000s tracks, such as elements from Eiffel 65's catalog and various Italo dance singles, tailoring them for high-energy DJ sets and compilations.[36] In 2012, Ponte expanded his collaborative reach with international artists, blending his production style with global pop and Latin influences. His track "Beat on My Drum," featuring Pitbull and Sophia Del Carmen, combined pulsating house beats with rap verses, achieving commercial success across European charts.[37] That same year, he produced and co-wrote "Tacata'" for the Italian duo Tacabro, a vibrant electro-Latin anthem that captured summer festival vibes and topped dance playlists in multiple countries.[38] Ponte's recent partnerships have leaned into big-room and future house sounds, often involving rising EDM talents. In 2021, he teamed up with Austrian DJ LUM!X and Italian producer Prezioso for "Thunder," a high-octane collaboration that samples orchestral motifs and peaked on international dance charts.[39] This momentum continued in 2022 with "We Could Be Together," featuring Daddy DJ alongside LUM!X, which revived 1990s Eurodance nostalgia through modern drops and vocal hooks.[40] Ponte's involvement in major competitions further highlighted his production versatility, including co-writing and producing Austria's Eurovision entry "Halo" for LUM!X featuring Pia Maria in 2022, a dramatic electro-pop track that advanced to the contest's first semi-final.[41][42]Personal life
Family and residences
Gabry Ponte maintains a private family life, keeping details about his personal relationships largely out of the public eye despite his prominence in the music industry. He is in a committed relationship and is a father to his daughter, Alice, born in June 2021, whom he has described as a central source of joy in his life.[43][44] Ponte's early life was marked by tragedy; his mother died in a car accident when he was eight years old (c. 1981), an event he has said profoundly impacted his emotional development and led to years of anger, as detailed in his autobiography.[45] His father, who raised him and his sibling as a widower, died in March 2019.[46] In January 2021, Ponte underwent heart surgery at the Molinette Hospital in Turin to address a congenital heart condition that had been degenerative over time; he announced the procedure on social media, noting it as a long-pursued resolution shortly before Alice's birth.[47][44] Ponte resides primarily in Turin, the northern Italian city where he was born and where he built much of his early career, including establishing a studio in the Parella neighborhood. His current home is situated near the Borgo San Paolo area, reflecting his enduring ties to the region. While he divides time between Italy and international locations for work, Turin remains his main base.[48][49]Autobiography and other ventures
In 2025, Gabry Ponte published his autobiography Dance & Love: La mia musica, la mia vita, released on June 3 by Rizzoli. The book provides an intimate account of his career trajectory, tracing his rise from the formation of Eiffel 65 in the late 1990s through global success with hits like "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" to his solo endeavors and participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 representing San Marino with the entry "Tutta l'Italia".[50] Ponte founded the independent record label Dance & Love in 2006, which he continues to oversee as a key figure in the Italian dance music landscape. Beyond music releases, the label focuses on artist development, nurturing talents through A&R guidance and facilitating international distribution for acts under its roster. It also engages in event production, supporting live performances and milestones such as Ponte's historic 2025 stadium show at San Siro in Milan.[24][51][28] Ponte maintains an active presence in media, making occasional appearances to discuss dance music evolution and industry insights. Examples include guest spots on podcasts like the Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast in March 2025, where he reflected on his Eurovision experience and career highlights, as well as hosting interviews such as his 2017 conversation with David Guetta on music production.[52][53]Discography
Studio albums
Gabry Ponte's studio discography spans the early 2000s, marking his transition from group work with Eiffel 65 to solo endeavors in electronic and dance music production. His albums blend Italo dance influences with innovative sound design, often incorporating vocal features and thematic explorations of technology and identity. Released under major labels initially, later works reflect his growing independence through his own Dance And Love imprint. His debut solo album, Gabry Ponte, arrived in 2002 via Universal Music, peaking at No. 16 on the Italian Albums Chart.[54] This 13-track project showcased his post-Eiffel 65 evolution, featuring energetic tracks like "Geordie" that highlighted his signature synth-driven style and remixing prowess.[2] The album included collaborations and originals that built on his DJ experience, emphasizing high-energy dance floors with pop sensibilities. In 2004, Ponte followed with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. DJ, which reached No. 17 on the Italian Albums Chart.[55] Released again by Universal, this effort delved into the duality of his artistic personas—one as a meticulous producer, the other as a spontaneous DJ—through a mix of introspective and party-oriented tracks. Notable for its conceptual depth, the album featured vocalists like Little Tony on "Figli Di Pitagora," blending traditional Italian elements with electronic beats to explore creative contrasts.[11] Gabry2o, issued in 2008 by National DJ Event, marked a lower chart entry at No. 34 in Italy while embracing digital-age motifs.[56] This compilation-style album curated tracks reflecting online culture and virtual connectivity, including Ponte's productions like "Dance And Love" with Steve Robelle, underscoring his shift toward label curation and thematic soundscapes in the evolving EDM landscape.[57]Compilations
Between 2010 and 2011, Ponte released the Dance & Love Selection series (Vols. 1–4) via his Dance And Love label. These compilation albums served as showcases for emerging artists and his remixing talents.[58] Volumes such as Vol. I featured remixes of Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina's "Stereo Love," highlighting his role in nurturing Italian dance talent and promoting a blend of house and electro sounds.[59] Vol. IV in 2011 extended this with tracks like "Que Pasa," reinforcing the label's focus on accessible, love-infused dance anthems.[60]Extended plays
Gabry Ponte's extended plays represent key experimental and transitional releases in his discography, allowing him to explore evolving electronic sounds between full-length albums. His early solo EP, Modern Tech Noises According to Gabry Ponte (2006), released on National DJ Event, emphasized electronic experimentation through two tracks: "U.n.d.e.r.g.r.o.u.n.d. (Original Cut)" at 140 BPM and "Elektro Muzik Is Back (Extended)" at 130 BPM, highlighting underground electronic production techniques.[61] Love Songs in the Digital Age According to Gabry Ponte (2007), also issued by National DJ Event, blended pop and dance elements across four tracks, including the extended "The Point of No Return (Everlasting Mix)" and "Geordie (Eurotrance Remix)," fusing melodic pop structures with Eurotrance beats.[62] The 2018 EP Dance Lab, distributed via Dance And Love, incorporated rave-influenced Italodance and progressive house styles in three tracks—"Tanja" with Pop X, "Felicità," and "Salgo Sul Palco" with DJ Matrix and Nashley—previewing collaborative and high-energy directions in his later work.[27]Singles as lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart position (Italy) | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Geordie" | 2001 | 4 | — |
| "Got to Get" (also known as "Got to Get (Don Don)") | 2001 | 21 | — |
| "Time to Rock" (featuring Stefania Piovesan) | 2002 | 33 | — |
| "La Danza delle Streghe" | 2003 | 7 | — |
| "Figli di Pitagora" (featuring Little Tony) | 2004 | — (No. 1 Deejay Parade) | — |
| "Thunder" (with LUM!X and Prezioso) | 2021 | — | ITA: 2× Platinum FRA: Diamond NOR: 3× Platinum |
| "Monster" (with LUM!X) | 2020 | — | AUT: Platinum Multi-platinum in Europe |
| "Tutta l'Italia" | 2025 | 14 | — |
| "Brokenhearted" (with Train) | 2025 | — | — |