eteran turntablist Raphael Valentino continues to move crowds from coast to coast, playing alongside the biggest artists on the globe including Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Flo Rida, Avicii, Hardwell, Thomas Gold, Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton just to name a few. Sparking his career while a freshman in high school, Raphael Valentino quickly transformed his hobby into a passion after his parents gifted him a pair of turntables, few vinyls, and a mixer. "I needed to pay for college summer classes, so I bought some more equipment and started spinning at local bars and clubs. Those were fun times. I remember my mom and dad driving me to my gigs because I wasn't old enough to drive."
When it comes to music, Raphael Valentino is exceptionally versed in pretty much all genres. "My one brother was a huge Beatles fan, the other a fan of dance music. Being the first in my family not born in Italy, I traveled to Europe often and absorbed different music trends when I was still young. People don't know how important it is to get out of that "bubble" and see what's out there. I had no choice but to mix multiple genres in a set, because anything else felt boring to me."
Raphael received his first big break in 2008 when New York City's number one dance music station 103.5 WKTU was broadcasting live from a New York nightclub that he was booked and asked him to come on board as a resident DJ and remix artist. He currently still retains that position and can be heard each Friday at 5:00 pm and is also featured on the internationally syndicated Remix Top 30 Countdown with Hollywood Hamilton.
"I love producing originals tracks, but when someone asks me what I do, I tell them I'm a DJ at heart. I love getting that reaction from the crowd and it never gets old. When I am producing, I love collaborating with other producers and artists…it makes my studio feel less like a dungeon and more like a playground."
Whenever Raphael Valentino isn't touring, he is operating his entertainment company, SoundSurge Entertainment. His accounts include names like Macy's, W Hotels, Ford, Chevrolet, Google and many other Fortune 500s. Whether it's a private event or a venue with sixteen thousand fans, RV's uncanny ability to read a crowd is second to none. "It doesn't matter if it's Johnny Cash or Thomas Gold, there's always a time and place for every song." Raphael gained fame at an early age being able to blend any genre. "Being able to spin open format well is what I take pride in."
With many original productions being supported by countless DJs and radio stations across the country, Raphael Valentino has also become one of the most sought-after remix artists. "I'll never stop doing what I love, and I love music. I can't picture myself doing anything else."