Rafael Barreto has traveled to Chicago, China, the Candyland Festival in Australia for work and more than 10 countries -- and later this month he will be in Curacao too.
The 31 year-old Brazil resident is a renowned DJ, known for his mix of house, tribal and progressive sounds that jack up the energy level on the dance floor, regardless where he's spinning.
That said, Barreto is the resident DJ in São Paulo for the Super Festas Group, Superbeat and Fresh Pool Party.
His DJ career has included stops at São Paulo Pride in 2015; in Guanghzou, China in 2017; and Winter Party 2018 in Miami. He also has played in Chicago at the now-closed Manhole, which he said was "fun."
"I had a blast at Pride in São Paulo, held in June 2015 (with more than) three million people (attending)," said Barreto, who produces his own beats. "When I am producing, I feel like a creative guy. When I am DJing, I feel like a DJ. I just like to perform, in some way or another."
Barreto's first DJ gig was at Ricardo Brennand Institute, which is a cultural institution located in Recife, Brazil – and it was the first gay party at the location.
"To make a good mix, all the beats should be in the same key, lined up, synced, mixed and mastered. In our career, it's quite similar – we need to be focused, updated with the music, and give the people what they want: good music," he said. "I used to burn CDs of pop songs and sell for friends back in the 1990s. After that, I decided to learn how to DJ with my neighbor, just for fun. I took it serious (starting) in 2008, and started from there."
Barreto was a DJ in China when the police shut down the club where he was to play. "The promotor got a new club (within) two hours and all the people moved to this (new) place. I was the only DJ, (thus) played a long set, about 7 hours. It was one of the best sets I've played in my life," he said.
Barreto is among several high-profile international DJs who will be spinning at the inaugural Caribbean Gay Spring Break Festival, which will be held in Curacao, March 29-31.
"Curacao (is) on my list of the places to visit. I can't wait for my debut in this beautiful island," he said.
The Caribbean Gay Spring Break Festival also features DJ Diego Summers, who shared a top 10 list of songs he likes to include in his sets with GoPride.com. Click here for Summers' top 10 list.
NOW SPINNING ... DJ Rafael Barreto
If Not a DJ: Would be a sound engineer.
From Being a DJ: The job brings "freedom, life style and respect."
DJ Idols: The late Peter Rauhofer and Offer Nissim.
On Peter Rauhofer: "His music always inspired me and used to take me to another atmosphere."
First Concert: "My dad took me to FatBoy Slim's show when I was a kid, (and I) grew up listening to his electronic beats because of my daddy's influence."
Most Recent Concert: Kyllie Minogue in Sydney earlier this year.
The Quote: "Respect ... it's so important to have."