Mau P Shares Emotional Post About his Late Father After First Month of Touring

Amsterdam-based DJ Mau P gets vulnerable on social media talking about tour life, the art of making it, and the influence of his late father.

Much like the artist himself, Mau P’s music has a breathless, life-of-the-party energy that is rapidly propelling him onto the main stage of the house music scene. From sold-out shows at revered venues like Superior Ingredients in New York and Club Space in Miami to performances at major EDM music festivals such as EDC Mexico and Beyond Wonderland SoCal, it’s easy to think that Mau P has it all.

But on March 1, Mau P shared an emotional Instagram post reflecting on finishing his first month of touring without his father by his side. The slideshow includes a post-crying session selfie, a baby photo of Mau P with his father at the piano, and the promo for his XXX North America tour touting an impressive amount of “sold out” banners.

“just got home from my first month of touring as mau p and i bawled my eyes out… i just miss my dad so much, he got me into this whole music thing and everything that’s happening right now is because of him,” the Amsterdam native wrote in the caption. “when i was 18 he passed away and on his death bed i promised him i’d make it.” 

Maurits Westveen (better known as ‘Mau P’) has been surrounded by music his entire life. His late father was a saxophonist, conductor, and arranger, while his mother is a singer. As Mau P noted in his eloquent Instagram caption, his father serves as a major musical inspiration–he even continues to make music in his father’s former recording studio. 

Mau P first fell in love with house music at the age of fourteen and at eighteen started producing tracks. While the now 26-year-old blew up in 2022 with his international club hit, ‘Drugs From Amsterdam,’ he’s quick to note that he’s been working toward this breakthrough for years.

“i don’t know if i really made it now but every show has been sold out and i’m feeling so much love. for some people it might seem like i only have two songs out but i’ve been doing this shit for years… i’ve been broke, i’ve been sad, i’ve been worried things wouldn’t work out, in the end i always just wanted to take care of my mom and make my dad proud wherever he may be,” Mau P continued in the Instagram post. 

The electronic music community rallied around the breakout star, with both fans and other musicians offering support, love, and advice in the comments. “I bet he is really proud of you, and your mom as well. Make sure you spent [sic] lots of time with her because we tend to forget that when we get busy…Sending lots of love! I know the feeling,” commented legendary Dutch DJ Tiësto. 

Mau P’s post reminds us not only of our own humanity but of the strength and love within the electronic music community.  Catch him on tour here.

Lucie Turkel

Lucie Turkel joined the Exron Music team a little over three months ago and has blasted off into the realm of otherworldly music ever since. Core memories in the dance music scene include scoring VIP tickets to Kygo’s UTOPIA, a 12-hour trip to Ibiza (the island) to see David Guetta perform, and seeing Flume play his Tennis Court remix on an actual tennis court. In addition to her work with Exron, Lucie works as a full-time campaign coordinator at Live Nation and freelances for Reader’s Digest. She is based in Brooklyn, NY.

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