Wade

Beginnings and Origins

Juan Carlos Cruz López, known artistically as Wade, was born in 1991 and raised in the municipality of Dos Hermanas, in the province of Seville, Andalusia. He grew up in a humble neighborhood environment where the musical roots of southern Spain were very present. Flamenco rhythms, handclaps, and Spanish guitars shaped his ear from a very young age, giving him a unique appreciation for rhythm and percussion that he would later integrate into his electronic productions. Originally, his nickname comes from his adolescence; at 14, he played basketball as a point guard and shooting guard, and his friends began calling him 'Wade' in honor of the famous NBA player Dwyane Wade. He liked how it sounded as an artistic name, considering it short, direct, and catchy.

Despite being an engineering student, his true passion was always music. His career as a deejay began around 2006 and 2007, playing in small clubs and 'pachangueo' bars in Dos Hermanas. In those years, the underground electronic music culture was not as developed in Spain, but Wade, who is completely self-taught, polished his live skills without even having his own mixing console in his beginnings.

Musical Evolution and International Rise

Over time, Wade managed to consolidate an unmistakable style within the Tech House scene. His music is characterized by combining powerful bases, very danceable rhythms, and marked influences from hip hop and catchy vocals, without forgetting subtle nods to the flamenco percussion of his homeland. This formula has led him to be the number one Spanish deejay today in his genre, being at the same time the highest-paid and most sought-after nationally.

His rise to the global elite came thanks to his constant releases on prestigious labels such as Universal Music, Atlantic Records, or Black Book Records, in addition to collaborating with giants of the music industry such as David Guetta, Joel Corry, or the duo Natos y Waor. His impact has allowed him to sell out tickets for his All Night Long events and be a headliner at the most reputable festivals on the planet, including Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival (Miami), EDC, Kappa FuturFestival, elrow, and iconic Ibiza clubs such as Amnesia, Pacha, and Ushuaïa.

Criterio Music and Life Philosophy

The year 2020 marked a turning point in his career with the birth of Criterio, his own party brand that debuted with an overwhelming sold out at the mega-club Fabrik in Madrid. Subsequently, in 2021, it evolved into the record label Criterio Music, founded with the strategic support of Universal Music Spain. With this platform, Wade not only releases his own hits (such as the well-known track 'Passion', which fuses electronic and flamenco), but also publishes the work of other artists who fit his vision of a dancefloor-oriented and high-quality sound.

Unlike the classic nightlife stereotype, Wade is widely known for leading an extremely disciplined and fitness-oriented lifestyle. He trains regularly, strictly watches his diet, and stays away from the excesses associated with the electronic scene. His goal is to transmit positive energy and be remembered as a hardworking and kind person.