Italian DJ and producer Gabry Ponte has been a defining force in electronic dance music for over two decades. From the global phenomenon ‘Blue (Da Ba Dee)’ to his upcoming historic show at San Siro Stadium, Ponte continues to push boundaries in the dance music scene. In this exclusive interview, the former Eiffel 65 member discusses his Grammy-nominated track’s enduring legacy, his milestone-packed 2024, and his vision for the future of electronic music. From launching his new label PENTAPHONIA to collaborating with industry titans like Steve Aoki and Sean Paul, Ponte shares insights into his creative process and the evolution of dance music.
Before jumping into your 2024 highlights. Let’s start things off with a bit of nostalgia. ‘Blue (Da Ba Dee)’ is undoubtedly one of the biggest dance tracks of all time and has become a global cultural phenomenon. How do you feel about the track’s enduring legacy, and did you ever imagine it would still be so popular decades later?
It’s hard to explain the phenomenon of Blue (Da Ba Dee), also because it takes on forms and dimensions of such magnitude that even I am amazed! Blue has been at the center of a movement and the evolution of dance music worldwide, and just thinking that after 25 years it received a second Grammy nomination thanks to the rework by David Guetta and Bebe Rexha speaks volumes about its longevity and relevance.
I am, and always will be, grateful for this track. It’s evergreen…actually, everblue!
Concerning the impact of ‘Blue’, we’ve all heard numerous remixes of the track but which remix or interpretation of ‘Blue’ has impressed you the most?
As mentioned before, David’s remake is one of a kind!
It gave the track a second life without distorting it, while making it contemporary. There have been many reworks and remixes of the song, but this one stands out above all, without a doubt.
Your ’25 Anni di Dance’ tour celebrated 25 years of your music career and kicked off 2024 in style. What were some of the most memorable moments from the arena tour?
The celebratory tour for my 25-year career will leave so many beautiful memories in my mind, but if I have to choose one, I’d say stepping onto the stage in Milan for the first show, with a venue of over 12,000 people completely sold out, was a fantastic moment. When, at the end of the show, a group of fans started chanting “San Siro, San Siro” over and over, I became convinced that we could put on a great show at the “Scala del Calcio”, as the Meazza Stadium in Milan is often called.
You launched your boutique label PENTAPHONIA earlier this year, exclusively on Beatport. What inspired you to create the label, and what’s your vision for discovering and promoting new electronic music talent?
Pentaphonia was created to be a space dedicated to club releases, as free and experimental as possible. We’re just at the beginning of this journey, yet we’ve already achieved results that have exceeded expectations, with numerous tracks charting in the most relevant genres. This makes me realize we’re on the right path.
For next year, we already have an exciting release schedule, featuring both top-tier names and emerging artists whom I can’t wait for you to discover.
This past year saw some incredible cross-genre collaborations from Tiesto and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike’s remix of ‘Mockingbird’ to your track with Steve Aoki’Save Me’ and the dancehall-inspired ‘Born To Love Ya’ with Sean Paul and NATTI NATASHA. What has been the most rewarding part of collaborating and what has been the most challenging part?
Collaborating with artists of this caliber and such immense talent is a constant source of inspiration and pushes you to raise the bar of what you demand from yourself. The artistic encounter with any artist is enriching in itself, and having the opportunity to work with talents of this level is truly an honour.
Speaking of recent music, your single ‘Ghost’ closed out this year, can you tell us about the creation of this track?
‘Ghost’ was a fun project because it let me tap into my nerdy-nostalgic side. Reworking such a well-known theme is no small challenge. Everyone recognizes that melody, and in my opinion, when you approach these iconic musical pieces, your task is to give them a fresh, contemporary feel without altering their essence. I had a lot of fun creating this track, and the audience’s excitement when I play it live is truly incredible.
You’re set to headline Milan’s San Siro Stadium – a massive milestone for any electronic artist. What does this event mean to you, especially as an Italian DJ who’s been pioneering the dance music scene?
It’s a dream come true to be honest. San Siro is a legendary venue, and to be the first DJ to perform there feels like a huge win not just for me but for the entire dance music community too. When I started djing back in the days there was not such a thing as “superstar djs” the dj was supposed to be playing in clubs and today I have the opportunity to perform in front of more than 50k people I still can’t believe it. It’s a chance to showcase how far our scene has come.
You’ve taken to some epic stages this year including Tomorrowland Brasil, Arabax Music Festival, Moon & Stars Festival. Are there any moments behind the decks from 2024 that stand out?
The thrill of performing in front of thousands of people is truly indescribable. You never get used to it—it gives you a unique adrenaline rush and creates a connection with the audience that is unforgettable. Thousands of hands and hearts beating in unison amplify the emotions conveyed through the music to the highest degree. It’s a collective ritual of immense power.
Electronic music is constantly evolving with technologies like AI and immersive experiences. How do you see these emerging technologies potentially transforming music production and live performances in the next few years?
Music is an extraordinary testing ground for technological advancements and has the unique characteristic of always being at the forefront, embracing and being influenced by innovation earlier than many other forms of artistic expression. I see AI as a tool that can assist artistic intuition and speed up certain processes. However, without the awareness and the ability to control the machines, it will never reach its full potential. Therefore, studying music and production remains essential for everyone—to be the drivers of this change rather than being overwhelmed by it.
As someone who’s been at the forefront of electronic music for 25 years, looking ahead to the future, what emerging trends or new sounds in the global dance music scene are you most excited about, and how do you see yourself potentially incorporating these into your future work?
A notable trend is the revival of sounds that were huge around the period I started making music. I’m thinking about iconic synthesizers like the Korg M1 or sampler like the 909 or the 303 which shaped electronic music in the 90s. These elements are being reinterpreted and the results are pretty cool to me.
Catch Gabry Ponte live in 2025!
Gabry Ponte, Electric Brixton, London on 1st March 2025. More info here.
Gabry Ponte, SAN SIRO DANCE, San Siro Stadium, Italy, 28th June 2025. More info here.
