Vintage Culture
Born in Mundo Novo and raised partly on a farm in Paraguay, Lukas Ruiz gave up law studies to become Vintage Culture, one of Brazil’s biggest house DJs.
- Real name Lukas Rafael Ruiz Hespanhol, born 7 July 1993 in Mundo Novo, Mato Grosso do Sul.
- Active since 2011; “In the Dark” with Fancy Inc topped the US Dance Club Songs chart.
- In the DJ Mag Top 100, from No. 54 in 2016 to No. 10 in 2023.
Vintage Culture is Lukas Ruiz, the Brazilian DJ and producer who went from a small town in Mato Grosso do Sul to the top ten of the DJ Mag Top 100. He has been releasing music since 2011, and his singles have travelled well beyond Brazil.
From Mundo Novo to Maringá
Lukas Rafael Ruiz Hespanhol was born on 7 July 1993 in Mundo Novo, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. He spent much of his childhood on a farm in Katueté, Paraguay, and moved back to Mundo Novo at eight. At 19 he went to Maringá to study law, then dropped it to focus on music production.
The first wave
His earliest listed single, “What U Want”, came out in 2013. By 2015 he was already second among Brazilian DJs in House Mag’s Top 50 and won Best Big Room DJ at the Rio Music Conference. In 2016 he released the Hollywood EP and “Wild Kidz”, a collaboration with RICCI that entered Spotify’s Global Viral chart and was supported by Oliver Heldens, EDX and Sam Feldt.
The hits
“Cante por Nós”, with KVSH and the singer Breno Miranda, followed in 2018. In 2019 “In the Dark”, made with Fancy Inc, reached No. 1 on the US Dance Club Songs chart and went Diamond in Brazil. “It Is What It Is”, with Elise LeGrow (2020), went Platinum at home, and so did “Coffee (Give Me Something)”, his 2020 single with Tiësto.
His music has come out on Spinnin’ Records and on Só Track Boa, where he also works as a label manager.
The DJ Mag climb
His DJ Mag Top 100 run tells the story of his rise: 118th in 2015, 54th in 2016, 31st in 2017 and 19th in 2018. After a dip to 47th in 2019 he came back to 30th, then 17th in 2021, 11th in 2022 and 10th in 2023. His videos have been noticed too, with Berlin Music Video Awards nominations for “Fallen Leaf” (2024) and “Pleasure Chasers” (2025). For more Brazilian names from the same generation, keep digging with Alok and Dubdogz.
FAQ
What is Vintage Culture’s real name?
Lukas Rafael Ruiz Hespanhol. He was born on 7 July 1993 in Mundo Novo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
What are Vintage Culture’s biggest tracks?
“In the Dark” with Fancy Inc (2019), certified Diamond in Brazil, “It Is What It Is” (2020) and “Coffee (Give Me Something)” with Tiësto (2020).
How high has Vintage Culture ranked in DJ Mag’s Top 100?
He entered the top ten in 2023, at No. 10, after climbing from No. 54 in 2016.
