Gian Varela teams up with fellow Latino and 3 x Latin Grammy award-winning artist Maffio to make his newest dancefloor-oriented single, “Gua Gua,” to remind fans that party season is far from over! The new release is a rhythmic tech house heater completed with a driving four-on-the-floor beat and influences of Latin and Afro house found in its upbeat, tribal, and hypnotizing drums and dynamic melodies. The Spanish vocals add a perfect touch of exotic spice for that “imagine you’re dancing in a jungle until sunrise” vibe, which perfectly represent Maffio‘s signature style. To finish off the international fair, “Gua Gua” is out on Municipal Recordings, with which Gian just signed a long-term deal, so please expect more records coming via the Dutch imprint. Varela has had an exciting year of releases and performances thus far, and rumor has it he’s laying the groundwork for the launch of his own label in 2025.
“Maffio has been a great friend to me. We met through an old friend, mentor, and one of the founders of reggaeton/plena – El Chombo. ‘Gua Gua’ is our first track ever since Maffio asked me to remix his “Elma Maria” a while back, which was released through Sony Music. We really just focused on having fun in the studio, and this became a banger for dance floors looking for that already iconic Latin drive. It also has an Afro/tech-house swing to it, which is something I’ll be focused on with my upcoming releases. This is also what convinced me to sign with Municipal Recordings and work on the launch of my own record label in the future – Monarka Records as I want to continue pushing the boundaries.” – Gian Varela
Gian Varela
Hailing from Panama and honed in the United States, Gian Varela is a dynamic and groundbreaking house music DJ, producer, and songwriter who has quickly risen to global acclaim. With an innate rebellious spirit, Gian‘s distinctive style of seamlessly blending Latin genres and electronic sounds has cemented his position as a master of his craft. His upbringing in Panama, the birthplace of reggaetón’s roots, and subsequent move to the US have resulted in a unique, globally oriented sound that has won him legions of fans worldwide. Gian‘s impressive track record includes viral collaborations with Latin superstars like Sech, Feid, El Chombo, and Maffio, as well as releases on some of the world’s top dance music labels, including Spinnin’ Records, Armada Music, and Mixmash Records. His tracks and remixes have gained support from top DJs and producers like Armin van Buuren, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Laidback Luke, Hugel, Wax Motif, and Vintage Culture. With an innate ability to connect with crowds and transmit powerful energy, Gian has honed his craft through years of performing across the Americas. His mastery of the decks allows him to seamlessly transition from his signature Latin tech house on festival mainstages like Ultra Abu Dhabi to his Afro/Caribbean tech sound in more intimate venues. His creative vision has seen him push the Caribbean-infused house genre to new heights, and his dynamic live performances have electrified audiences across the world. From Afrohouse to peak hour tech-house, Gian elegantly blends his productions while always remaining true to his unique sound. This year promises to be a standout year for Gian, with high-profile collaborations and high-energy fusions in the dance music world that will showcase the full spectrum of Latin house music. With his signature global sound, Gian is sure to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the years to come.
Maffio
Ariel Peralta, professionally known as Maffio, is a record producer who writes songs inspired by life itself. His record-producing journey first began in the Dominican Republic at a studio owned by Henry Medrano in Cancino Primera at the age of 17. Being in the music industry since such a young age has led Maffio to write over 2000 songs, including a combination of both English and Spanish records. His inspiration for creating the records that he does comes from the early influences of old music, from salsa brava to the 70s to Chuck Manione and even the iconic Michael Jackson. Maffio‘s talents have opened him up to becoming successful in this industry, where he has sold over 15 million records worldwide, and over 50 of them have been positioned in the Billboard charts. This has led him to become a 5 x nominee as well as a 3 x winner in the most prestigious and recognized awards in Latin music, the Latin GRAMMY Award. In addition to this accomplishment, the artist has also received an astonishing 20 x Ascap awards. Just like any other producer, there is always a record that shapes them into who they are now. In Maffio‘s case it was “Mi Alma Se Muere.” Not only did this song allow him to follow his heart and dreams, but it also solidified him into becoming the musician he is today.
