HYPATON on reworking classics for the modern electronic audience

From studying his family's craft of dentistry to suddenly being taken under the wing of David Guetta, rising Italian star HYPATON is one of the most exciting names on the scene currently. With a musical background that has been nurtured since childhood, he is much more than just a producer.

How did you first start producing music, and what inspired you to focus on electronic genres like Future Rave?
I started producing when I was 15. It was that period when everyone wanted to become a DJ, and my cousin Giuseppe Ottaviani, who is an international DJ and producer, really inspired me to begin. Future Rave caught my attention immediately because the energy of the drops and the melodies in the breaks give such an intense dopamine rush. It’s a very musical genre with a lot of space for melodies, which for me are absolutely essential.

Your rework of La Bouche’s “Be My Lover” has gone viral with nearly 278 million Spotify streams. Did you expect such a huge response?
No, I really didn’t. I started the idea just for fun. I’ve always loved La Bouche’s vocals, and in 2023 a lot of DJs were reworking tracks from the 90s, so I thought, “let’s try it,” and it worked! What surprised me most was the number of streams, especially because it’s such a pure festival track.

David Guetta has been mentoring you. How did that relationship start, and what has been the most valuable lesson from him so far?
It started very naturally when he reached out after hearing one of my edits online. The most valuable thing I’ve learned from him is to always stay curious and to never settle. He approaches every project with the same hunger and excitement as if it were his first, and that mindset really inspires me. His work ethic is something I truly admire.

How do you approach reworking classic tracks, and what’s your process for reinventing the chords and melodies while keeping them recognizable?
When I work on a classic, I always start by finding what made the original so special, usually the melody or a vocal that carries emotion. From there, I build a new world around it with different harmonies, modern sound design, and energy that fits today’s dancefloors. The goal is to make it feel familiar but fresh at the same time, so when people hear it, they feel nostalgia and excitement together.

You were studying dentistry while building your music career. How did you balance university life with your rising success in music?
The discipline I learned from university really helped me in music production too. Dedication, making the right choices, and work, a lot of work. I always did 50/50 without taking away from either side. When you commit to something, you have to respect it. I was near the end of my degree, so it was important for me to finish that chapter before fully starting my music career. I had very little free time and went out with friends only occasionally, but in the end, the hard work paid off.

Can you describe what it felt like to perform your DJ debut at Hï Ibiza alongside David Guetta?
The pressure I felt before the show was enormous. In the days leading up to it, I barely spoke, I was completely focused. But once I got to the club and started playing, everything changed. The nerves disappeared and it turned into pure fun. David was by my side during the set, and that helped me a lot. What I learned that night is that preparation makes all the difference. I had spent weeks getting ready at home, so when the moment came, everything flowed naturally. It was the perfect mix of tension, adrenaline, and happiness.

Social media has played a big role in your rise. How do you use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to connect with your fans and showcase your work?
Social media has been a great tool to share not just the music, but the story behind it. I use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to show the creative process, my everyday life, and sometimes just moments that inspire me. I think people can feel when something is genuine. For me, it’s not about chasing trends, it’s about connecting directly with the people who believe in what I do and building a real community around the music.

Your family has a musical background, including your cousin Giuseppe Ottaviani. How has your family influenced your sound and career choices?
Music has always been part of my family. My dad plays guitar, my uncle plays piano, and my cousin Giuseppe showed me what dedication really means. Seeing how hard he worked and how much passion he puts into his craft motivated me a lot when I was starting out. Growing up in that kind of environment gave me a natural sense of melody and emotion, which are still at the center of everything I create today.