Michaelangelo L'Acqua: W Hotel's Global Music Director on "Symmetry" and World Domination

Michaelangelo L'Acqua — who has produced runway music for Tom Ford, Gucci, and other luxury houses for over 15 years, and collaborated with Natalie Cole, Nas, and Will.i.am — was tapped by the W Hotel as their first-ever Global Music Director. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.

The W Hotel has hosted a series of parties celebrating Symmetry, the first album curated by the hotel's new Global Music Director, Michaelangelo L'Acqua. Michaelangelo has produced runway music for over 15 years for luxury brands and major fashion houses including Tom Ford and Gucci. With notable collaborations with Natalie Cole, Nas, and Will.i.am, the W tapped him to promote their luxury brand through music. Premier Guide Miami's Daedrian McNaughton caught up with him at the W Fort Lauderdale.

PGM: Global Music Director is unique to the W Hotel brand. How did you gain this title and what are your responsibilities?

Michaelangelo L'Acqua: I guess you have to look at the background — through years of producing fashion shows in Milan, Paris, Berlin, and New York. I own a boutique creative agency, overseeing records as an artist, being able to be a creative director, and looking into the fashion world to see how to create an environment based on tactile sensations, visual sensations, and overall lifestyle attitude. That has brought me to where I am today, working with the W Hotel.

PGM: Walk us through your responsibilities.

Michaelangelo L'Acqua: First, establish a new CD and the direction of it, which identifies what the W brand is about on a global level. Second, develop the CD beyond just a CD into a series — Symmetry Live. We have about six concerts this year throughout North America; one at the W Hollywood with Janelle Monae, who just released her record on Atlantic Records. Then we will do one in Miami during Swim Week, and in several other cities. Third, identify the artists we should be associated with and set up deals so the W can look forward to producing events. We also have the Symmetry Spin Series, our DJ series, traveling to about seven or eight different cities throughout the US. And I open hotels all over the world, helping curate talent for live performances, DJ sets, or the overall music environment.

PGM: How was the selection process in finding the best music for this luxury brand?

Michaelangelo L'Acqua: My career has always existed within luxury brands, so it is a refined taste — not something you can just pop open. It is about the experience of discovery. The people who come to the W are innovative, early adopters, trendsetters, and trend seekers. I chose music that is on the cutting edge, that represents a social movement and reflects a higher consciousness and lifestyle experience. What is cool, what is relevant, and how we are going to educate our clients further through music, design, and fashion — those are the passion points for the W.

PGM: What does "Symmetry" really represent?

Michaelangelo L'Acqua: It represents three basic aspects of a musical form needed to create the perfect sound. If you start with the proper form and structure, you are building your home in the right place. If you have a melody that is infectious and somebody can sing it back to you after one listen, that is another. When there is balance to the form and melody, symmetry follows, and the visual reaction to the song creates an unconscious association to everything around you. I chose these songs because I thought they have all three elements — tracks that give a great response on the first listen, which fortifies what the brand is about.

PGM: What is your official goal for this project?

Michaelangelo L'Acqua: World domination — just joking. The ultimate goal would be to take the W music agenda beyond the walls of the physical structure and allow people to have it anywhere in the world, keeping them thinking of the W lifestyle.

PGM: What can't you live without?

Michaelangelo L'Acqua: WiFi. Technology has given me the ability to create an illusion that I am in the same room as you are.

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