HUGEL: FROM MARSEILLE TO SAN DIEGO, THE FRENCHIE MAKING THE WORLD DANCE!

Have you ever heard the story of a kid from Marseille who turned a 350EUR DJ course at age 16 into international fame just 15 years later? Good job dad! Well, that's OLD NIOUZE! HUGEL breakthrough came in 2018 with his remix of Bella Ciao. Since then? The sky's been the limit! Today, he's one of the biggest names in electronic music, rocking the world's hottest stages. And last night? HUGEL electrified San Diego, turning the spectacular Rady Shell into one giant open-air dance floor packed with 10K of partygoers for his MAKE THE GIRLS DANCE show! But seriously…

WHO THE HELL IS HUGEL, REALLY? 

HUGEL brings his Make the Girls Dance tour to The Rady Shell in San Diego. Click the photo to watch his LA performance!

SAN DIEGO — November 7, 2026

Oh Bonne Mère! Marseille just landed in San Diego! 

And here's a fun little coincidence: San Diego and Marseille are actually sister cities! How's that for a French connection? Last night, French DJ superstar HUGEL turned the spectacular Rady Shell at Jacobs Park into one giant open-air dance floor overlooking San Diego Bay. His MAKE THE GIRLS DANCE party delivered a serious dose of Afro-Latin House, Mediterranean heat, and French attitude to America's Finest City!

FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA TO THE PACIFIC, THIS NATIVE GUY FROM MARSEILLE KNOWS HOW TO MAKE WAVES... OBVIOUSLY!

But here's the funny thing: his name might not ring a bell. His music? That's another story! Chances are you've heard his tracks a thousand times on social media, in clubs, or at parties. You've probably danced to them without even knowing who was behind the decks! So, who is this guy with nearly 3 million Instagram followers, over a billion annual streams, and a touring schedule that would make an airline pilot dizzy?

MAKE THE GIRLS DANCE TOUR — Click the image for a taste of HUGEL's playlist by DJ Litchi

WHO THE HELL IS HUGEL?

His real name is Florent Hugel, born in Marseille in 1987. And if you know anything about Marseille, you know it's not exactly your typical French city. "The real South of France! La Provence, les Cigales" A melting pot of North African, Spanish, Italian, Corsican, and Mediterranean cultures, where accents are strong, people speak loud, and music is everywhere. Florent grew up right in the middle of it. His family has Spanish roots, and his mother was a serious music lover with a huge vinyl collection. Funk, disco, soul, jazz… young Florent was practically raised inside a record store!

At 12, he was already making beats on the family computer. At 14, he discovered DJs playing house music in Saint-Tropez. And at 16, his father made him an offer he couldn't refuse. "Get your diploma, and I'll pay 350EUR for your DJ course in Cannes".

Deal! Five days of training later, Florent was hooked. At 17, he landed his first proper DJ gig at Marseille's Metal Café. His fee? 30 bucks for the entire night!

Not exactly Snoop Dogg money. But hey, even David Guetta had to start somewhere!

YOU KNOW HIS MUSIC. YOU JUST DON'T KNOW IT'S HIM!

Remember "Bella Ciao", the anthem from Netflix's La Casa de Papel? HUGEL's 2018 remix helped put him on the international map. Then came "Morenita" in 2021, the Latin House hit that helped launch his career in America. Followed by "I Adore You", with Topic, Arash, and Daecolm, another massive dance-floor favorite.

And the collaborations? Hold on to your headphones!

Snoop Dogg, David Guetta, Big Sean, French Montana, Diplo… The list is getting seriously impressive.

His 2026 debut album, "Twenty One", celebrates 21 years behind the decks and brings together some of the biggest names in music.

And here's a fun little detail: Snoop Dogg actually contacted HIM on Instagram!

Not bad for the kid who once got paid 30 bucks to play all night...

IBIZA? NOT UNTIL THEY INVITE ME!

Here's probably our favorite HUGEL story.

As a young DJ, Florent made himself a promise: he would never set foot in Ibiza until someone invited him to play there. No vacation. No tourist selfies. No sunset cocktails.

He wanted to arrive as an artist. And he did!

His first visit to Ibiza was to perform at the legendary Pacha. Today, he's a resident DJ at Hï Ibiza, one of the world's most famous nightclubs, where he headlines his own Make The Girls Dance nights.

From dreaming about Ibiza to running the show.

Papa Hugel, those 350EUR were probably your best investment ever!

HUGEL - Live @ HÏ IBIZA - B2B BOB SINCLAR [SPAIN] 21.08.2025 ... AFRO HOUSE SUN SET MIX 2026

IN A WORLD OF ELECTRONIC MUSIC FREQUENTLY LINKED TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, HUGEL IS SETTING A REFRESHING EXAMPLE FOR THE YOUTH.

HUGEL says he has given up alcohol and drugs because, for him, the real high comes from being fully present while thousands of people dance to his music. No distractions, just pure connection! And to make those moments even more special, he travels with his parents, sharing unforgettable experiences and making the most of every moment, onstage and off.

THE GOOD NIOUZE? SAN DIEGO YESTERDAY, SAN FRANCISCO TONIGHT!

Missed HUGEL at the Shell last night?

GOOD NIOUZE! You've got one more California chance!

Tonight, Saturday, November 7, HUGEL is heading to the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, just across the bay from San Francisco, for the closing night of the venue's 2026 season.

Doors open at 5 PM, show starts at 6 PM. Our dear friends at MERCI SF should be there!

And if you can't make it, don't panic. Our Marseillais isn't finished with America. He's already announced another US appearance in Aspen, Colorado, in February 2027.

But perhaps the coolest thing about HUGEL isn't his success, his famous friends, or the millions dancing to his music.

It's what he says he's most proud of: making enough money through music to retire his entire family. Now THAT is a GOOD NIOUZE!

📍 WHERE: Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA

🗺️ ADDRESS: 2001 Gayley Road, Berkeley, CA 94720

📅 WHEN: Saturday, November 7, 2026

🕔 DOORS OPEN: 5 PM

🔥 SHOW STARTS: 6 PM

🔞 AGE: 18+

🎟️ LAST-MINUTE TICKETS: GRAB YOUR TICKETS HERE!

ALLEZ L'OM! VIVE LA BONNE MÈRE! VIVE MARSEILLE! 

LESS BAD NIOUZE. MORE GOOD NIOUZE. 

FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR DAILY DOSE OF FRESH GOOD NIOUZE & GOOD VIBES ONLY!

ALWAYS FRESH. ALWAYS FRENCH.