Full Blasta

To see big-name EDM producers, one typically has to take a trip to Los Angeles or the Bay Area, but not this time. DJ Dillon Francis plays in Monterey on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Dillon Francis is a world-renowned DJ and producer whose signature music videos reach close to a billion views. His specialty is moombahton (slower tempo house music with exaggerated bass lines), moombahcore (similar, but with Reggaeton-influences) and electronica trap. Diversity and the will to experiment are the strongest suits of this punk music fan.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Francis started his music career in the late 2000s. He credits a DUI for his getting serious about the profession.

Francis often speaks of the strict environment in his family’s home. But by allowing him to live at home paying $500 a month in rent, his parents gave him the leeway to become a music producer – with a caveat. If he failed to earn income in the music business within a year, Francis would return to community college. In Francis’ case, the deal worked out.

Francis had planned for a life in photography. But when he graduated high school, he decided the photography market was oversaturated. What was not oversaturated was EDM (electronic dance music) in the U.S.

His first hits, such as his noisy, aggressive and hypnotic breakout song “Masta Blasta,” propelled him to attention. He became the first moombahton artist to achieve the number-one spot on the iconic Beatport release chart.

Dillon befriended an EDM star, Diplo, collaborating on the song “Que Que,” which featured Latin-pop artist Maluca. In 2014, his major label debut album, Money Sucks, Friends Rule, landed on Rolling Stone’s Top Electronic Albums of 2014 list. His single “Get Low” with DJ Snake was released in early 2014 and took music media by storm.

Since then, Francis has released countless new tracks and DJ sets, and three traditional format albums. Fans love him not only for his bursting-with-energy productions or remixes but his personality.

It certainly helps that Francis is a fun (and now sober) performer. A natural-born comedian and actor, he has an engaging social media presence. He likes a stylized ’50s look, he designed his own clothing line and does short-form comedy videos. And he may be the only world-renowned DJ playing locally during Car Week.

DJ DILLON FRANCIS 9:45pm Saturday, Aug. 16. Monterey Motorsports Festival, Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey. $129; $69/ages 13-17. montereymotorsportsfestival.com

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