IN CONVERSATION WITH DEBORAH DE LUCA

interview by JOIAH LUMINOSA

Deborah De Luca is a defining figure in the global electronic music scene, with a career built on resilience, authenticity, and an unwavering dedication to her craft. Over the years, she has established herself as not only a powerful creative force, but also as an artist with a strong sense of identity and purpose.

Beyond her music, what truly stands out is her deep compassion for animals, especially dogs — and her commitment to raising awareness around their protection. She has also become a vocal presence for women in the industry, challenging stereotypes and inspiring a new generation of artists to embrace their strength and individuality.

Her humble beginnings shaped the person she is today: someone who remains connected to her roots, carries her heritage with pride, and honours her homeland wherever her journey takes her.

This editorial portrays Deborah through the symbolism of the Cumaean Sibyl, the ancient prophetic figure whose origins are tied to the lands near Naples. A symbol of wisdom, mystery, longevity, and profound inner knowledge, the Sibyl reflects many aspects of Deborah’s own spirit: powerful yet grounded, timeless yet constantly evolving.

With authenticity, determination, and grace, Deborah De Luca continues to leave her mark on the world stage - moving through the industry with strength, elegance, and an unmistakable voice of her own.

Many people know you not only for your music but also for your genuine love for animals. Where does that connection come from, and what role do animals play in your life when you're away from the stage?

I'm happy that my love for animals comes across, because I wish more people understood just how precious a dog, a cat, or any living being truly is. They're a gift from life that I simply couldn't live without. When I come home, I have one certainty: my dogs. They've been by my side through every moment, especially the difficult ones. Because they understand. When you're hurting, they quietly sit beside you and stay there until the pain passes. They are truly special beings.

If you could use your platform to bring more awareness to one issue affecting animals, what would it be, and why is it important to you?

I already do, actually. I constantly share videos and photos of dogs looking for a home, and whenever I post my own dogs, I always include the message: "Adopt, don't shop." I take care of so many dogs. Every month, I spend the equivalent of a brand-new compact car on boarding, veterinary care, transport, and everything else needed to save as many dogs as possible. I may only be a drop in the ocean, but the ocean is made up of drops. So I try to do my very best, even if it sometimes comes at the expense of my mental health. Seeing animals suffer causes me such deep, constant pain that there are times when I can't think about anything else.

dress FLORANIA

You've spent so much of your life making music. Has your relationship with creativity changed over the years? Has it become more intuitive, or do you challenge yourself more now than you did at the beginning?

Music has always been at the centre of my life. My dad was a passionate record collector, and I owe him for my taste in music. I truly believe music should be a fundamental part of every person's upbringing. Over the years, my relationship with music has naturally evolved. It has had to reckon with changing trends and with what newer generations listen to, so in some ways it has adapted. But I've always stayed true to myself and remained fearless in my choices.

For the producers and music nerds out there: have you made any exciting discoveries in the studio lately — a synth, VST, piece of hardware, or even a new production technique that's been inspiring you? What draws you to it, and how has it influenced your creative process?

I never really start from scratch in the studio. I never sit down in front of my computer thinking, "I'm going to make a track now." There's always a sound first — or a word played on a loop until it becomes a sound in itself. That's what makes me want to sit down and create. More often than not, it's a single word that, once processed with effects, turns into the foundation of a track. From there, I build an entire song around it. I've done this with a voice sample from Lauryn Hill, with Nina Kraviz speaking during an interview, and even with my own voice — using an old WhatsApp voice message I sent to an ex. That recording eventually became a track on the second volume of my Hard Pop series.

In this project, you're portrayed as the Cumaean Sibyl — a mythological figure deeply connected to the land she inhabited, embodying wisdom, strength, mystery, and unwavering integrity. As someone whose roots have remained a defining part of your identity, how has your connection to your homeland shaped the woman and artist you've become? What values have guided you throughout your journey and continue to define who you are today?

It's interesting because the symbol of my city is the Sibyl — almost as if it was meant to be. In fact, many bars and restaurants are named after her. I've always felt deeply connected to my roots, even at a time when introducing yourself as "Neapolitan" wasn't exactly seen as a positive thing because of the stereotypes that Northern Italy projected onto the South. Thirty or thirty-five years ago, people from Southern Italy were often labelled as job stealers, lazy, dishonest, or scammers. Even then, I was proud to say, "I'm from Scampia," one of Naples' toughest neighbourhoods.

Today, Naples has been recognised as the birthplace of countless artists, singers, DJs, footballers, and creatives. It's no longer viewed as a ghetto or defined by those old prejudices. Now, saying "I'm from Naples" is a source of pride. In fact, some people even pretend to be from Naples — despite being from nearby towns, other parts of Italy, or even another continent altogether.

dress MAISON MOONSIEUR

Although the electronic music scene has become more diverse, it can still be a challenging environment for women. Have you noticed meaningful changes throughout your career, and what still needs to be improved?

Sexism and misogyny are unfortunately deeply ingrained in the general culture of every industry, and that’s something that cannot be denied. In every profession, men are paid more than women for the same position. In this industry, the biggest challenge remains dealing with the haters. A woman who posts a video (especially a woman who is considered attractive and has a pleasant appearance) will always receive comments like “OnlyFans DJ,” “USB DJ,” or “model or DJ?” — while the same video featuring a man would not receive the same kind of negative reactions. There is an incredible amount of hostility towards successful, beautiful women, and unfortunately, it often comes from other women as well.

However, there has been progress. Eighteen years ago, when I started, there wasn’t much space in the industry for women like me. Aesthetically, I was seen more as a dancer than a DJ, and I was underestimated and pushed into a box. Then Nina Kraviz opened that small door with incredible force, and things started to change. Today, it is slightly less difficult for women, but they still have to deal with haters who are always ready to project their own frustrations onto us.

Social media often places enormous attention on appearance, especially for women. You've received both admiration and criticism over the years. How do you deal with comments that focus more on the way you look than on your music?

I was born and professionally raised with this kind of commentary about my appearance. At first, I fought back. I explained myself, argued, and wasted time trying to make people understand that what they were saying was wrong. Today, I just laugh about it.

Nowadays, I picture the person writing those comments sitting in their bedroom at their parents’ house late at night, with no real prospects for work or personal growth. That’s the only way I can imagine someone going onto the profile of a person they don’t even know and complaining about their success as if it had been personally stolen from them. There’s really no other explanation. When someone leaves a negative comment that isn’t constructive, it’s always the same story. Pay attention: none of those people have a life we would actually envy.

full look VIDIC
ring JENNY ANDERSON

Has there ever been a moment when online criticism genuinely affected you, or have you learned to separate your identity from the opinions of strangers?

No matter how strong our character is or how aware we are of who we are, there comes a moment for everyone when, even if only briefly, certain criticisms can make us question what we’re doing and what we truly want to pursue.

And that’s something that weighs on me — not so much for my own career, but for the careers of other people who may be a little more vulnerable. A couple of times, especially at the beginning, someone’s judgement made the ground shake beneath my feet, but I held on. Everyone has to go through that, but not everyone has that same determination, especially in the early stages. Never give up.

dress FLORANIA
ring MAM

Looking ahead, what excites you creatively? Is there a sound, collaboration, or even an entirely different artistic discipline that you'd love to explore in the future?

I’ve always been someone who experiments a lot, especially with different genres. What everyone does today and what has become completely normal — mixing pop, opera, rap, and techno — I started doing 16 years ago, and I received a lot of criticism for it. One of the comments I often heard was that it was “trash.”

I’ll continue to blend different genres because, to me, music is one single language. I don’t like purists who judge anyone who steps outside their little box, labelling them as a “traitor.” Music is music. It has no rules, except one: it should first and foremost bring joy to the person creating it. If you’re lucky, it will resonate with many others too — but that’s not always guaranteed.

After everything you've achieved, what continues to motivate you every time you step into the studio or behind the decks? What still gives you that same excitement you felt at the beginning of your journey?

My love for music continues to motivate me. The people who still follow me, the ones who tell me that some of my tracks — or my music in general — have helped them overcome depression or get through a difficult relationship.

What motivates me is a melody that comes into my head, a word that I keep hearing on repeat, a unique voice. The emotions I feel when I step onto a stage are the same as they were at the beginning. Until I put on the first record, I’m nervous — just like I was before my first school performance in primary school!

dress SARANYA UMASHNKAR

TEAM CREDITS:

talent DEBORAH DE LUCA
photography NICHOLAS FOLS
art direction and interview JOIAH LUMINOSA
styling and production ANCA MACAVEI
hair GIANNI CRISPINO
makeup EMANUELA DI GIAMMARCO
main assistant DIMA JBARA
research assistant MARIA DIEGUES
assistant on set MELISSA RUSSO
location and set design LIMBO STUDIO and ARMONANDO ALOVISI
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN