Today we’d like to introduce you to Pacho Llanos.
Hi Pacho, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Sure! My story begins in Cali, Colombia, where music was always part of my DNA. I started playing percussion and spinning tracks when I was just 15, and that love for rhythm never left me. After moving to Miami in 2000, I dove deeper into music production and DJing, blending Latin roots with electronic beats.
Over the years, I’ve created music that fuses Afro house, Latin house, and elements from different cultures — from Arabic percussion to Pacific Colombian influences. I produce under the name DJ Pacho Llanos, and I’m also the founder of Majagua Music, my creative label.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all—but that’s what makes it meaningful. I was born in Cali, Colombia, and moved to Miami in 2000. Adapting to a new country while keeping my roots alive was a challenge in itself. I started as a percussionist, then became a DJ and producer, and over the years, I’ve had to learn the business side of music, promote myself, and sometimes work with very limited resources.
There were times when I felt invisible in the industry, or like my sound didn’t fit the mold—but that only pushed me to keep creating music that’s authentic, that fuses cultures, and that tells stories. Whether I’m making a track inspired by Buenaventura or designing an Afro House beat with Middle Eastern percussion, every struggle has helped define my voice. I’ve learned to turn every obstacle into fuel.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a music producer, DJ, and audio engineer known for blending electronic music with rich Latin and Afro-Caribbean influences. Under the name DJ Pacho Llanos, I specialize in House and Afro House, but my sound is deeply shaped by where I come from—Colombia—and the many rhythms I’ve grown up with, like salsa, cumbia, and the music of the Pacific coast.
I create tracks that are rhythmic, emotional, and often carry a narrative—sometimes through lyrics, sometimes purely instrumental. I’ve released projects like From the Shores, which blends deep house with global percussion, and tracks like Poetas or Caderona, which celebrate identity and heritage.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just make music—I tell stories. I’m proud of how I’ve built a catalog that’s true to my roots, while still sounding fresh and international. Whether I’m producing a song titled Ibiza en Primavera or exploring a soundscape inspired by the desert in Under the Abaya, I always aim to connect cultures and move people—literally and emotionally.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is from family trips to the Pacific coast of Colombia. We would gather as a big extended family—cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents—all together, sharing meals, stories, and laughter. What made those moments truly special was the music. Local folk bands would play the traditional sounds of the region—marimbas, drums, and call-and-response singing—and the whole neighborhood would come alive. That rhythm stayed with me. It wasn’t just music—it was community, identity, and celebration. Those sounds shaped my ears and heart, and they still echo in the music I make today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj.pacho.llanos?igsh=MTFsbHN3cnhhbWtodw==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC6xjQBSreS8TmfygIiepJug?si=KEHi2L5l001STmM6
Image Credits
José F Llanos
