Lifestyle

How Diogo Snow Became a Household Name for Celebrity Collectors

Published

5 years ago

February 6, 2021

In this day and age, music stars and Hollywood celebrities are among the new generation of art collectors – with money for this expensive hobby, they are becoming more sophisticated and involved in the world of art. This is why celebrities like Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and Jay-Z boast impressive collections of critically-acclaimed art.

Diogo Snow, well known by his artist name D-Snow, has built a reputation as a household name for many celebrity collectors. The artist started his career in his early teens in Brazil, with a passion for graffiti and street art. As he developed more as an artist, he explored a variety of materials like spray paint, acrylic, epoxies, diamond dust and crystals. The combination of expressive mediums allowed Diogo to create compelling three-dimensional artwork that captures attention.

As a multidisciplinary artist, coming from a musical background before venturing into the art world, Diogo Snow possesses an unparalleled understanding of popular culture and how to harmoniously incorporate iconic symbolism into his work. His vibrant and innovative style attracted considerable attention, and it wasn’t long before acclaimed exhibitions extended Diogo invitations to display his artwork alongside some of the world’s most renowned artists.

Penetrating the celebrity market, however, would prove to be perhaps Diogo’s most impressive accomplishment in his artistic career. His launch into the celebrity sphere began when the owner of Luxuri Rental — the #1 leading vacation rental in Miami – contacted Diogo to paint a mural for the Picasso mansion. The following day, rap-star Tory Lanez rented the mansion to shoot a music video and Diogo’s mural was on full display for Tory’s entire audience to see. This exposure was instrumental in garnering celebrity attention to his artwork — and soon the world recognized his name and his signature style became well-known.

He made a piece for Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr., who put it in his favourite part of his Parisian house. That single painting was seen by celebrities and their audience alike when they would go to his house, pose in front of Diogo’s painting, and share it on their social media. This segued into making art for the biggest names in stardom: BadBunny, Fetty Wap, Sean Paul, Megan Thee Stallion, Da Baby — only a few names in the impressive clientele Diogo has amassed.

Diogo’s recognition and success in Hollywood continued to flourish; in what proved to be a monumental year for Diogo, he was further chosen by Universal Music to paint a mural posthumously in tribute to the chart-topping rapper JuiceWrld. Outside of his talents as an artist, Diogo possesses a savvy mindset for networking and connecting with his community. By displaying his art on Instagram, Diogo was able to capitalize on his stardom and attract some of the most prominent names in popular culture.

Diogo’s recognition gave him the confidence and credibility to reach out to Justin Bieber’s father, Jeremy Bieber, to create a custom piece for his home. Diogo created a custom painting for Jeremy and two custom sculptures — one of which would catch the attention of Justin Bieber himself. Diogo’s work was met with such acclaim that Jeremy reached out to Diogo to create a custom piece for Justin and Hailey Bieber’s new home as a Christmas gift. The painting was seen in Justin Bieber’s YouTube docuseries Seasons — further exposing his artwork. Diogo also formed a partnership with Jeremy Bieber to become the Art Director for Bieber Industries: an agency with a mission to help emerging talent. Diogo actively designs for the agency and is currently working on a big project for 2021 with the Bieber family.

More recently, in 2020 — after a year of hard work and a contribution from a close friend at Kilani Jewellery — Diogo had the opportunity to deliver an iconic art piece to Canadian rap superstar Drake. This would be Diogo’s second custom artwork for the rapper; however, this special three-dimensional masterpiece showcased how far Diogo has progressed as an artist — defining his signature style of artwork.

Diogo’s accomplishments and celebrity relations have transformed him into a celebrity in the world of art. With an ever-expanding clientele and tenacious devotion to his passion, Diogo Snow is destined to become one of the most well-known artists of the 21st century.

Lifestyle

The Future of Social Dancing: How Latin Dance is Adapting to a New Generation

Published

1 day ago

August 21, 2025

Michelle Langton

Latin dance thrives on connection. The music, the partner, and the crowd all feed one another.

Today, that connection is shaped by a younger, digitally fluent generation, and few understand the shift better than Damian Guzman, founder of Bachata Sensual America (BSA). From prize-winning festivals to late-night socials, Guzman and BSA show how the scene is evolving without losing its roots.

Streaming steps, viral beats

A decade ago, beginners to Latin dance hunted for grainy DVD tutorials; now they unlock entire combinations on their phones. TikTok loops, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels have compressed learning into snack-sized bursts.

Many of the artists signed on with Bachata Sensual America meet dancers where they scroll, posting slow-motion breakdowns and “follow-along” drills that rack up thousands of views. This approach addresses two key Gen Z demands: instant access and a clear path from screen to floor.

By allowing newcomers to practice at home before facing a packed room, the online channel lowers the fear barrier while seeding a desire for in-person connection.

Festivals as entry points, not finish lines

Digital discovery is only the first act. For many people, their real baptism happens at multi-day events where practice hours blur into sunrise socials.

BSA’s flagship Houston Bachata Sensual Festival returned on May 2^nd, 2025, with a follow-up week slated for Bachata Sensual Festival Chicago, September 4^th-9^th, 2025. Both weekends pair technique labs with mental-wellness talks and DJs specializing in bachata, mirroring the playlists in dancers’ earbuds.

That balance of skills and community is why independent reviewers named BSA one of the “Top Latin Dance Festivals in the United States” for 2025. Yet, for Damian, awards matter less than the message: a festival can feel world-class without pricing out college students. He keeps passes tiered, encourages volunteer shifts that offset costs, and prepares bootcamps for absolute beginners, ensuring the dance floor reflects the same diversity he sees online.

Teaching culture, not just choreography

Bachata’s recent boom owes much to its European reinvention. Damian experienced that surge firsthand while earning one of the first U.S. instructor certifications in the Bachata Sensual style. He returned determined to give American dancers the same blend of precision and musicality he had experienced abroad.

BSA classes devote equal time to connection cues, body mechanics, and the genre’s Dominican roots. That trifecta resonates with younger students who want authenticity, not just a viral dip.

“In class I tell people, ‘Technique is how you respect your partner; musicality is how you respect the song,’” Guzman said during a recent podcast. The line distills his mission: elevate standards while keeping the dance welcoming.

Building inclusive, mindful spaces

Generation Z brings new expectations around consent, identity, and mental health. BSA’s code of conduct spells out everything from appropriate touch to gender-neutral role selection. Security staff mediate conflicts quickly, and workshop leaders open sessions with grounding exercises to calm nerves. These actions might sound small, yet they remove friction that once pushed many newcomers away.

Damian argues that such policies go beyond ethics; they future-proof the scene. Normalizing role fluidity in Latin dance widens its talent pool and invites richer musical interpretations. By acknowledging anxiety and overstimulation — common concerns for digital natives — events can retain dancers who might otherwise retreat after their first crowded social.

Latin dance has never stood still, and its next evolution is already spinning under disco lights from Houston to Helsinki. With a phone in every pocket and a festival on every calendar, the gap between discovery and mastery keeps shrinking.

Damian Guzman and Bachata Sensual America illustrate what happens when tradition listens, adapts, and leads with purpose. The result is a scene ready for whatever beat the next generation drops — and a future where social dancing feels more connected, inclusive, and alive than ever.