Born and raised in London, Papaoul is a radio broadcaster and DJ specialising in new music from across the international underground. Having made a name for himself as a resident DJ and presenter on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM, he currently presents a monthly radio show on Reprezent 107.3FM. Drawing in listeners for both late night and breakfast radio shows, as well as being a potent club selector, Papaoul’s sets are unconfined by genre. He has been a vital figure connecting the dots between UK / Latin American alternative music, and providing a spotlight for Latinx creatives in the UK, with his radio and events platform The Fifth Sun and club night Epoka.

As a radio presenter, Papaoul really came into his own while broadcasting weekly on Worldwide FM through the pandemic, his shows becoming a go to for alternative new music from around the world (as mentioned in The Guardian) and interviews and guest mixes from international stars as well as emerging local acts. His current show on Reprezent goes out live every 4th Tuesday of the month to a late night UK audience, and online for all the international listeners. He has hosted shows on some of the best independent stations in the business including Balamii and Melodic Distraction, as well as providing guest mixes on NTS, Jazz FM, Soho Radio and Foundation FM among others. 

Papaoul’s club sets are a blend of heavyweight percussive sounds, from Latin bass to UK funky, garage, broken beat, dancehall, amapiano and more. He’s performed in some of the capital’s foremost clubs including Koko, Phonox, Corsica Studios and Colour Factory as well as iconic institutions the Tate Modern and Barbican. Having fired up crowds around the country in Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh, Papaoul is also a regular on the UK festival circuit with performances at Glastonbury, Lost Village and Secret Garden Party as well as being a Lemon Lounge stalwart at both We Out Here and Brainchild.

Papaoul founded his club night Epoka championing alternative Latinx DJs in the UK alongside friend and contemporary, Bushbby, with a sold-out launch party in 2022. He has also collaborated on events with organisations such as Soho House, Keep Hush and Movimientos. 

Away from the decks and under the alias “Gabriel Francis”, Papaoul is also a radio producer crafting weekly music programmes for the BBC and was included in the Radio Academy’s 30 Under 30 for his work as both a presenter and producer. He has also work as a Music Editor at Sounds and Colours, an online publication dedicated to arts and culture from Latin America.

For all enquiries please email: papaoulmusic@gmail.com