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Dillon Francis

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Dillon Francis
Francis in 2018
Francis in 2018
Background information
Birth nameDillon Hart Francis
Also known asDJ Hanzel
Born (1987-10-05) October 5, 1987 (age 37)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Occupations
  • DJ
  • record producer
Years active2010–present
Labels
Websitedillonfrancis.com

Dillon Hart Francis (born October 5, 1987), also known as DJ Hanzel, is an American electronic music producer and DJ.[1][2] He played a key role in popularizing moombahton and later developed its heavier variants, moombahcore and EDM trap.

Early life and education

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Dillon Hart Francis was born on October 5, 1987, in Los Angeles, California,[3] to an American father who works in alternative medicine, and a Serbian-Croatian mother.[4] He described his upbringing as sheltered, noting he did not learn swear words until the age of 15 and was only allowed to watch television after viewing two hours of Sesame Street.[3]

He attended Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where he took a course that emphasized creative expression across various art forms.[5] He then briefly enrolled at Santa Monica College before leaving to pursue a music career. With $500, he moved to Atlanta to work with a friend but later returned to Los Angeles to focus on DJing. He credited his parents for their support while also encouraging financial responsibility by requiring him to pay rent, which they later returned when he moved out.[6]

Career

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2010–2013

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Francis gained recognition after American producer Diplo noticed him, leading to their collaboration on the track "Que Que" featuring Maluca. His song "Masta Blasta," originally a 130 BPM house track, was transformed into a moombahton track inspired by Dutch DJ Munchi. In 2010, Francis released the Swashbuckler EP on Play Me Records.[7] In 2012, he released singles including "I.D.G.A.F.O.S." and "Bootleg Fireworks (Burning Up)" and released music through labels such as Dim Mak Records, Mad Decent, and Owsla.[8]

In February 2012, he became the first moombahton artist to reach number one on the Beatport releases chart with his EP Something, Something, Awesome. Later that year, he toured North America on the Wet & Reckless tour and supported Nero and Flux Pavilion on their respective tours.[9]

In 2013, he announced the headlining Wurld Turr tour across the US and Canada and confirmed his debut album for release that year, though it was delayed.[10] He was listed by MTV Clubland as an artist to watch in 2013 and performed at several major music festivals including Camp Bisco, Electric Daisy Carnival, Coachella, TomorrowWorld, Ultra, and Electric Zoo. Francis also formed the comedy duo Meowski666 with Kill the Noise.[11] In October 2013, he ranked number 73 in the DJ Mag Top 100 poll.[12]

2014

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Francis released his major-label debut album, Money Sucks, Friends Rule, on October 28, 2014, through Mad Decent and Columbia Records. The album featured collaborations with artists such as Twista, Brendon Urie, and Major Lazer.[13] His single "Get Low" with DJ Snake was released in February 2014.[14] He toured extensively in support of the album during the Friends Rule Tour.[15]

2015–2017

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In early 2015, Francis announced plans to produce a sketch show pilot for MTV.[16] That year, he released the EP This Mixtape Is Fire, returning to his moombahton style with collaborations from Skrillex, Calvin Harris, and others. The EP reached number one on Billboard's Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart.[17]

In 2016, he released singles including "Need You," "Candy," and "Anywhere." In April 2017, he released the single "Say Less" featuring G-Eazy. Shortly after, he parted ways with Columbia Records to pursue independent releases, announcing plans to return to moombahton.[18] During this period, he created alter egos including "Emo Preston," performing under this persona in Los Angeles.[19]

2018

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Francis released the Spanish-language album Wut Wut in 2018, marking a return to moombahton. The album received nominations for a Latin Grammy and a Latin American Music Award, notably for the single "Sexo" with Residente featuring iLe.[20] Additional singles released include "We The Funk," "BaBaBa (Vete Pa'Ya)," "Never Let You Go," and "White Boi".[21] He headlined the Hard Summer Music Festival and released the comedy series Like and Subscribe through Funny or Die. Francis appeared on the first season of Taskmaster US. In December, he contributed "LFGD" to the compilation album Ninjawerks Volume 1.[22]

2019

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In January 2019, Francis released "Lost My Mind" with Alison Wonderland and launched the Lost My Mind Tour in the US.[23] In March, he released "Change Your Mind" featuring Lovelytheband.[24] He also contributed to the soundtrack of The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part with the song "Catchy Song," featuring T-Pain and That Girl Lay Lay.[25]

2020–2023

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Francis performed at the Fortnite Party Royale premiere in May 2020 alongside Steve Aoki and Deadmau5.[26] In 2023, he released the single "Free" with Alesso and Clementine Douglas, described as a track promoting happiness.[27]

2025

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In 2025, Francis and Grammy-winning producer Albert Hype launched Sorry My Love, a pop-punk project inspired by their shared emo and punk influences. Their debut single, “Forget,” featuring Waterparks, premiered with a music video on MTV and Times Square billboards. The project blends pop-punk and Latin elements, reflecting the artists' early musical roots.[28]

Personal life

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In May 2025, Francis publicly announced that he had reconciled with fellow electronic music artist DJ Snake, ending a six-year estrangement that began around 2019. The details of their falling out were not disclosed. Their reconciliation occurred during DJ Snake’s performance in Paris, which Francis described as especially meaningful. Since then, they have reaffirmed their friendship and expressed a mutual commitment to maintaining their personal and professional relationship.[29][30]

Discography

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Main article: Dillon Francis discography

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2015 Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse DJ
We Are Your Friends Devin Andrews
2016 Succeeding at Life Background Actors Television film
2017 Hot Ones Himself Talk Show; Episode: "Dillon Francis Hurts His Body with Spicy Wings"
What Would Diplo Do? Jasper 4 episodes
2018 Like and Subscribe Skyy Goldwynne 7 episodes
Public Disturbance Himself
Taskmaster (US) Himself / Contestant
2020 The Sauce Himself / Judge Episode: "Miami Heat"
2022 Saints Row Himself
2023 Trolls Band Together Kid Ritz First animated film role

Awards and nominations

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Award Ceremony Year Work Category Result
Latin American Music Awards of 2018 2018 Sexo (with Residente ft. iLe) Best Short Form Music Video Nominated
19th Annual Latin Grammy Awards 2018 Sexo (with Residente ft. iLe) Favorite Video Nominated
Berlin Music Video Awards 2016 Not Butter Best Director Nominated
2020 Still Not Butter Most Trashy Nominated
2024 LA On Acid Won

References

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  1. ^ Bowman, Nick (August 15, 2013). "Dillon Francis' Alter Ego "DJ Hanzel" Is The Greatest Thing Ever". Dance Music Northwest. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "Money Sucks, Friends Rule – Dillon Francis". AllMusic. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Ahmed, Insanul (March 13, 2012) Who Is Dillon Francis? Complex. Retrieved on March 31, 2013.
  4. ^ Francis, Dillon (March 27, 2012). "@dirtysouth did you know im Serbian and Croatian! My mom was born there before it split up! My name in yugoslavian is drago". Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  5. ^ Moayeri, Lily (May 21, 2024). "Dillon Francis & Diplo in Conversation". GRAMMYs. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  6. ^ Marquina, Sierra (May 1, 2020). "Dillon Francis & Seacrest's Similar College Dropout Story Will Inspire You". WBZ NewsRadio 1030. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  7. ^ "Dillon Francis Biography". AllMusic.
  8. ^ "Interview: Dillon Francis On New Album, Major Labels, & EDM". YourEDM.
  9. ^ "Dillon Francis: 'I'm not here to make moombahton mainstream'". The Guardian.
  10. ^ "Dillon Francis Talks First Album and Worldwide Tour". Billboard.
  11. ^ "Dillon Francis Q&A: Festival Season and Comedy Duo Meowski666". Rolling Stone.
  12. ^ "DJ Mag Top 100 DJs 2013". DJ Mag.
  13. ^ "Money Sucks, Friends Rule – Dillon Francis". AllMusic.
  14. ^ "Get Low – Dillon Francis & DJ Snake". Billboard.
  15. ^ "Dillon Francis Announces Friends Rule Tour". EDM Tunes.
  16. ^ "Dillon Francis To Produce MTV Sketch Show Pilot". Billboard.
  17. ^ "This Mixtape Is Fire – Dillon Francis". Billboard.
  18. ^ "Dillon Francis Parts Ways with Columbia Records". Billboard.
  19. ^ "Meet Emo Preston, Dillon Francis' New Alter Ego". YourEDM.
  20. ^ "Dillon Francis Talks Latin Grammy Nomination". Billboard.
  21. ^ "Dillon Francis Releases 'Wut Wut'". EDM Tunes.
  22. ^ "Taskmaster US Cast Includes Dillon Francis". Deadline.
  23. ^ "Lost My Mind – Dillon Francis & Alison Wonderland". Billboard.
  24. ^ "Change Your Mind – Dillon Francis ft. Lovelytheband". YourEDM.
  25. ^ "The Lego Movie 2 Soundtrack Released". Billboard.
  26. ^ "Fortnite Party Royale Lineup". Forbes.
  27. ^ "Dillon Francis, Alesso & Clementine Douglas Team Up on "Free"". YourEDM.
  28. ^ "Watch Dillon Francis and Albert Hype Go Pop Punk With Sorry My Love". antiMusic. March 22, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  29. ^ "Dillon Francis Opens Up About Falling Out with DJ Snake After 6 Years". Exron Music. May 15, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  30. ^ Francis, Dillon (May 13, 2025). "Story time… so, about six years ago, @djsnake and I had a falling out". Instagram. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
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