FABYO: "When Italian roots meet Miami’s Afro-Latin Beat"

Redaction
Oct 3
5 min read

Updated: Oct 4

FABYO, Italian DJ and producer now thriving in Miami, is a rising force in the Afro Latin Brazilian house scene. Known for blending African rhythms, Caribbean vibes, and sleek electronic textures, he transforms every set into an immersive musical journey. His breakout moment came with a standout performance at the MoBlack Showcase during Miami Music Week 2025, captivating audiences with his energy and presence. Hits like "DRUM CIRCLE" (Made in Miami Records), "TENHO SAMBA" (Warrior Trax), and ABRASSO have earned international acclaim and support in top clubs, including Ibiza’s leading venues. A fixture of Miami nightlife, he performs at exclusive spots such as MODE Miami, Sopra Private Club, and Twisted Tonic Rooftop Miami Beach. Formed at SAE Institute and affiliated with Groove Society Records and the Made in Miami collective, FABYO continues to push house music forward with a fresh, distinctive sound.

You’re originally from Campania, a region that has produced key figures in Afro and Latin house like Peppe Citarella and MoBlack. Today, your journey is rooted in Miami, where you experienced a kind of "second musical life." How do you reconcile your Italian roots with this artistic rebirth in the United States?

Being from Campania means I carry with me a musical DNA that is already connected to rhythm, tradition, and cultural fusion. Growing up where artists like Peppe Citarella and MoBlack also come from gave me a natural awareness of Afro and Latin sounds, because in our region music has always been about blending Mediterranean roots with global influences.

When I moved to Miami, I found myself living what I call my ‘second musical life.’ I originally came for business, but the energy of the city, the parties of Oscar G, the Afro-Latin flavor that’s everywhere, reignited my creativity. I rebuilt my studio, started DJing again, and discovered that my Italian background wasn’t something separate — it was a foundation I could merge with the Miami sound.

So today, I reconcile the two by making music that is both a continuation of my roots and a rebirth in a new land. I bring Campania’s passion and tribal heritage into dialogue with Miami’s Afro-Latin heartbeat. The result is a sound that is personal, but also global — because music is about connecting cultures, and that’s exactly what my journey represents.

Your sets and productions incorporate Afro, Latin, Brazilian, and Even Middle Eastern influences, partly due to your personal connection with Turkey. How do you transform these diverse cultural elements into a unique and recognizable sound?

My sound is born from connection. Each culture that inspires me — Afro, Latin, Brazilian, Middle Eastern — has its own rhythm and soul. What I do in the studio and in my sets is not just to layer them, but to let them speak to each other. The Afro percussion gives me the heartbeat, the Latin and Brazilian elements bring movement and celebration, and the Middle Eastern influences — which come naturally through my family ties to Turkey — add mysticism and depth.

The transformation happens through intention: I don’t copy traditions, I translate them. I take a Brazilian rhythm and filter it through an Afro House groove, or blend a Middle Eastern vocal texture with deep tribal drums. By doing this consistently, I’ve developed a signature sound — something that feels familiar but always unexpected.

For me, the key is emotion. When all these elements come together, the listener should feel transported, as if they are traveling across continents without leaving the dancefloor. That’s when the music becomes more than just a track — it becomes an experience. And that is the sound of FABYO.

In Miami, you’ve become not just a DJ and producer, but also a reference point for other Italians arriving in the city. Do you see yourself as a cultural bridge between the European and American music scenes?

Yes, absolutely. When I came to Miami, I realized I wasn’t just rebuilding my career — I was also carrying with me a piece of the Italian and European scene. Many Italians who arrive here are looking for a point of reference, and I’ve naturally become that person because I understand both worlds.

On one side, I bring the heritage of European house music, with its history and refinement. On the other, I am immersed in the Miami scene, with its energy, diversity, and strong Afro-Latin presence. By moving between these spaces, I can introduce European artists and sounds to the American audience, and at the same time share Miami’s unique vibe with people back home.

I see myself as a cultural bridge because music is not about borders — it’s about exchange. If my presence here helps connect the Italian community with the Miami scene, and helps DJs and producers feel that they belong, then I know I am contributing to something larger than myself.

With tracks like "Drum Circle", "Tenho Samba", and "Abrasso", you’ve made an impact on international charts and in iconic clubs in Ibiza. What do you think makes your sound stand out from other Afro-Latin House producers today?

What makes my sound stand out is the way I treat cultural influences — not as a trend, but as a language. With tracks like Drum Circle, Tenho Samba, and Abrasso, I’m not just producing Afro-Latin House, I’m creating stories where each rhythm and melody has a purpose.

A lot of producers today might focus on a single direction — only Afro, or only Latin. My sound is about fusion, but always with discipline and identity. I mix Afro grooves with Latin percussion, Brazilian swing with Mediterranean harmony, Middle Eastern tones with deep tribal beats — and I make sure that when people hear it, they immediately recognize it’s FABYO.

Another key factor is energy. My tracks are designed for the dancefloor but also carry emotion — they make you move and at the same time take you somewhere else. That combination of power and soul is what DJs in Ibiza, Miami, or São Paulo connect with, and why my music finds space both in the charts and in the clubs.

In short, I stand out because I don’t just produce songs, I craft a signature experience. That’s the difference.

Looking ahead, do you see FABYO more as an ambassador of a new cultural fusion in house music, or as a custodian of the tribal roots that shaped you in the late ’90s and early 2000s?

I see myself as both. The tribal roots of the late ’90s and early 2000s shaped who I am as an artist — they gave me discipline, rhythm, and a deep respect for where this music comes from. I will always carry that legacy with me, because it’s the foundation of my sound.

At the same time, my mission today is to push the boundaries of cultural fusion. Afro, Latin, Brazilian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern — these are not separate worlds for me, they are threads of one tapestry. My role is to weave them together in a way that feels new, relevant, and timeless.

So FABYO is the bridge: a custodian of the roots, and an ambassador of a new future. My signature is to honor tradition while creating evolution — music that respects where it comes from, but also dares to show where it can go.