At the age of 64, José Padilla passed away in 2020 The father of chill out, the creator of the island’s sunset phenomenon, undoubtedly one of the greatest influencers of electronic music for all.

José Padilla was a Spanish DJ and producer best known for his work in ambient music, particularly his DJ sets at the Café del Mar in Ibiza. He played an essential role in the evolution of chill-out music with his innovative mixes and compilations.

Born in Barcelona in 1955, Padilla moved to Ibiza in 1976 and started DJing at the Café del Mar in 1991. His music encapsulated the spirit of Ibiza, blending a wide range of styles from classical to dub to ambient house and Balearic beats.

Padilla’s work with Café del Mar resulted in a series of compilations called the Café del Mar series, which were incredibly successful. These compilations brought a unique, chilled-out, sunset vibe to an international audience.

Aside from his Café del Mar compilations, Padilla also produced several solo albums, demonstrating his skill as a producer and composer.

Sadly, José Padilla passed away in October 2020 after a battle with colon cancer. His influence on the chill-out genre and Balearic beat continues to be felt, and his work continues to inspire many DJs and producers worldwide.

---

---