George Acosta
Encyclopedia
Biography
All great music reaches into your very soul, captures the mind and touches the heart. It can tell a story, take you on an incredible journey and target many different types of emotions. Music such as this can only come from the hard work of a great artist, an artist such as George Acosta. With over 20+ years of experiences as a DJ and Producer, George can certainly be considered a driving force in the dance music industry. He is one of the few original EDM artists that has managed to keep up with the evolution of dance music, reinventing himself and coming on stronger each and every time.Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, George Acosta showed an interest in music at a very young age while watching his father play records at home and at parties. Music was definitely a staple in the Acosta household. George began his career as a local DJ in his native Miami, spinning anywhere from high school parties, to clubs on South Beach. He would spin any type of dance music, from techno to house. In the early 90’s, as his popularity on South Beach grew, and house DJ’s such as Erik Morillo and Roger Sanchez were becoming rising stars, George began gaining an interest in producing dance music. “Honestly, it was when I first heard Josh Wink that I made my decision to produce my own music,” says Acosta. A trip to Germany is where George’s creativity flourished and Planet Soul was born. Signed under Strictly Rhythm, Planet Soul gained its stardom for the well known hit, Set You Free, earning Acosta the Gold Record status. Gaining international status with the success of Planet Soul didn’t stop George from forging ahead. Once again, he returned to his roots and began DJing as the well-known George Acosta, transitioning from house to trance music. He then began his residency at the very famous Shadow Lounge on South Beach, solidifying trance not only in Miami but also in the U.S. Week after week, George mastered his craft as a trance DJ. Many of his fans say that George Acosta has an innate ability to read the crowd and know what they wanted to hear. He was also notorious for having the ability to take his audience on a wonderful, emotional roller coaster ride during their visit to the club. While at Shadow, George continued producing some of his own original work. Some of these songs were: Emotions, Taking Over Space, and The Reaper. He also released several compilations under the Ultra Records Label which included: Awake and Release AM & PM, just to name a few. Between touring around the world at popular events, such as Berlin’s Love Parade, Miami’s Ultra Music Festival and world renowned clubs such as, Space Miami, Exit, Prividege and Pacha, he continued releasing more hit compilations such as, Trance Nation America on Ministry Of Sound and The History of Trance. This is what made George Acosta a legacy in dance music.
The beginning of the new millennium proved to be a time of change for George. Dance music was slowly making a shift in a new direction. It was now being mainstreamed more often and as new artists and producers began to emerge, dance music was being created to fit a more commercial sound, attracting a new generation of listeners, leaving the popularity of the underground trance scene in the past. Therefore, in 2001, after three years of much success, Shadow Lounge closed its doors giving Acosta the chance to expand his horizons, take on new challenges and projects and make his transition from trance artist to the now phenomenal dj, producer and remixer he is known for today. Acosta wanted to produce and play music that would have a well-balanced, universal sound that all music lovers could enjoy while still keeping his renowned signature style. He was able to find that in the fast rising, popular genre of music known as progressive house. George Acosta says, “I guess what makes me special is that I never stay behind the times. I’m constantly evolving, trying to better myself and challenge myself.” With that being said, George began a new venture, syndicating his own radio show titled The Lost World on the very popular Miami FM radio station, Party 93.1. After gaining much popularity and success, thanks to the show’s loyal listeners, the Lost World Show moved to its new and current home on Sirius XM Satellite Radio’s Electric Area. The show’s concept is to showcase not only other artist’s music, but to also showcase Acosta’s original productions. Throughout the show, Acosta’s host, Double H, identifies each song with its title and artist, as well as, announces all George Acosta news and tour dates. The radio show provided another source for George to reach out to his old fans and gain some new ones. In between mixing shows for The Lost World, Acosta continued to tour around the world spinning at popular clubs and hot spots.
It was during this time that Acosta was made an Ambassador for the HIV and AID’s charity organization, Dance 4 life. It was truly an honor for him to represent this organization along with other great djs and producers such as Tiesto. Acosta’s list of accomplishments didn’t end there. In 2007, George Acosta won DJ Times’ America’s Best DJ. This award was very meaningful because it was awarded to him through the votes of his fans. That same year, George Acosta enrolled in the SAE Institute to further expand his self-taught knowledge in the area of music production. To this day, George believes this decision helped to sharpen his skills and enhance his career as a producer. His perseverance and hard work prevailed and in 2009, he earned a degree in Sound Engineering and Audio Technology. This made George Acosta an even greater unstoppable force in his line of work.
While attending SAE, George was signed to Black Hole Recordings and released his first digital download compilation titled, From Miami to Amsterdam. During this time, he was also introduced to the very talented vocalist Fisher. With her, George produced songs that include: True Love, Beautiful, and Tearing Me Apart. Due to overwhelming response, Acosta, along with studio partner Gerry Cueto, then decided to produce his latest and also his second artist album, Visions Behind Expressions, under Black Hole Recordings. According to Acosta, “Visions Behind Expressions is more of a vocal story. For those who know me on a personal level, I am a man of few words; through the music, I am able to express all my thoughts and emotions. It is my drive and passion for music that has given me my latest album.”
In 2009, searching to expand his career in the music industry even further, George, along with his long time manager Francisco Pacheco, decided to create the label AcoMusic. The decision to create his own label transpired from the desire to brand his personal, unique signature sound and style. In an effort to evolve into something greater, Acosta wanted to use his label not only to release his own original music, but also to be able to remix songs from other artists. In addition, George wanted the freedom to develop new artists from around the globe that have the ability to produce and complement his quality signature music. Some AcoMusic releases by Acosta have been, I Know, featuring Tiff Lacy, and Nite Time, featuring Kate Walsh. Along with the success of his new album and record label, George is currently the Resident DJ at Las Vegas’ Encore Beach and Surrender Night Club inside the Wynn Hotel. He is also the Resident DJ at Club Glow in Washington, DC, and has joined the Day Glow Tour. In addition, George has become the newest resident DJ for the RX Pool Parties at the Gansevoort Hotel in Miami Beach. There seems to be no end in sight for George Acosta or his record label.
Passion combined with skill is what fuels George Acosta. In an interview George once said, “I have been fortunate to have much success in my career, and my challenges have only made me stronger. Personally, as an artist, there is always room for growth. I love to learn and I never plan on loosing the drive to master my craft. I feel like I am destined for more and even greater things. The best is yet to come.” It is this dedication, in addition to his love for music and his willingness to evolve that will continue to augment George Acosta’s career and success.
Discography
ALBUMS: (Artist Albums & Compilations)Energy and Harmony (Artist Album)
Label: Strictly Rhythm (1996)
Producer: George Acosta
Members of X
Label: Max Music (1999)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
Awake
Label: Ultra Records (2000)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
Release AM & Release PM
Label: Ultra Records (2001)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
Trance Nation America Two: ATB & George Acosta
Label: Ultra Records (2001)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta & ATB
Next Level
Label: Ultra Records (2002)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
Touched
Label: Ultra Records (2003)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
Miami
Label: Ultra Records (2003)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
History of Trance
Label: Ultra Records (2004)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
Lost World
Label: Ultra Records (2005)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
All Rights Reserved
Label: Moist Music (2006)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
A State of Mind
Label: Moist Music (2007)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
All Rights Reserved 2
Label: Moist Music (2008)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
From Miami to Amsterdam
Label: Black Hole Recordings (2010)
Compilation Mixed by: George Acosta
(Digital Download Only)
Visions Behind Expressions (Artist Album)
Label: Black Hole Recordings (2011)
Produced by: George Acosta
SINGLES:
Set You Free 1996 (Strictly Rhythm)
Emotions 2000 (Ultra Records)
Taking Over Space 2001 (Ultra Records)
The Reaper 2002 (Ultra Records)
Mellodrama ft Truth 2006 (Five AM)
The Other Side ft Truth 2006 (Five AM)
War of Hearts ft Truth 2007 (Five AM)
The Apocalypse 2007 (Soundpiercing)
Behind the Wheel ft Jeff Vylonis 2007 (Juicy)
Trust ft Truth 2008 (Grooveman Recordings)
Fallin’ Backwards ft Aruna 2008 (Soundpiercing)
Someone ft. Truth 2009 (Captivate)
Something About You ft Terry B 2009 (AcoMusic)
Stay 2009 (Juicy)
Dimention 2010 (Songbird)
Meridian 2010 (Songbird)
I Know ft Tiff Lacey 2010 (AcoMusic)
The Reaper 2010 2010 (AcoMusic)
True Love ft Fisher 2010 (Songbird)
Beautiful ft Fisher 2010 (Songbird)
Tearing Me Apart ft Fisher 2010 (Songbird)
Love Rain Down ft Fisher 2010 (Songbird)
Nite Time ft Kate Walsh 2010 (AcoMusic)
Block 2010 (Juicy)
Falling Deep ft Emma Lock 2011 (Songbird)
Free 2011 (Juicy)
Don’t Close Your Eyes ft The Voice In Fashion 2011 (AcoMusic)
AcoMusic Releases produced by George Acosta:
Something About You ft Terry B 2009
I know ft Tiff Lacey 2010
Nite Time ft Kate Walsh 2010
Tubular Bells 2010
Elastick People 2010
The Reaper 2010 2010
Feelings 2010
Don’t Close Your Eyes ft The Voice in Fashion 2011
REMIXES:
Enjoy the Silence – Yvan & DanDaniel 2007 (Hi-Bias Records)
1,2,3,4 – Robbie Rivera, La Mafia Rumbera 2009 (Juicy)
Break Da Floor – DJ Ralph, Avicii 2009 (Juicy)
Written in the Starz – Space Rockerz 2009 (Black Hole Recordings)
1980 – Robbie Rivera 2010 (Juicy)
Restart – Gerry Cueto 2010 (Captivate)
Fever – Jonas Steur 2010 (Avanti)
Good Thing – Robbie Rivera 2010 (Juicy)
Bad Color – Gerry Cueto 2010 (AcoMusic)
Set Me Free – Robbie Rivera, 68 Beats 2010 (Juicy)
Rude Dude – Carlo Calabro 2010 (Captivate)
Dosza – Flash Brothers 2010 (AcoMusic)
Time Step – DNS Project 2010 (AVA Recordings)
Endless Moments – Daniel Wanrooy 2010 (Black Hole Recordings)
New Hope – Julius Beat 2010 (Black Hole Recordings)
Every Other Way – BT ft Jes 2010 (Black Hole Recordings)
Cross the Line – First State ft Relyk 2010 (Magik Muzik)
You Can Have It All – Zoo Brazil ft Leah 2010 (Magik Muzik)
Back To Zero – Robbie Rivera ft Denise Rivera 2010 (Juicy)
Holding On – Sean Godsall ft Molly 2010 (Shute)
Fresco – Darryle Green 2011 (Juicy)
Keep On Going – Robbie Rivera ft Ozmosis 2011 (Evidence Records)
New Life – Alex Kunnari 2011 (In Trance We Trust)
You’ll Be Mine – Ruby & Tony ft Lofi Sugar 2011 (AcoMusic)
Phazin - Dean Newton 2011 (Magik Muzik)
Explode – Richard Durand 2011 (Magik Muzik)
Human Revolution – The Moonwalkers 2011 (AcoMusic)
Top Compilations featuring George Acosta Singles or Remixes:
Black Hole Amsterdam Dance Event Sampler 2011
Ft: True Love
Juicy Ibiza
Ft: Phazin (George Acosta Remix)
Free
Ferry Corsten Presents Full On Ferry
Ft: Nite Time ft Kate Walsh
In Search of Sunrise 9: India
Ft: Falling Deep ft Emma Lock
In Search of Sunrise 8: South Africa
Ft: Beautiful ft Fisher
Nocturnal by Matt Darey
Ft: Back to Zero ft Denise Rivera (George Acosta Remix)