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Lavito (David Van der Heyden) (1990, Ghent, Belgium) is a Belgian musician, producer, DJ and former child actor. He is recognized for his diverse contributions to music, including film scores, commercial compositions and collaborations with prominent artists.
Early Life and Family
Van der Heyden was born in Ghent to Catherine Delbecque and Peter Van der Heyden and is the youngest to three sisters and one brother. Raised in the city of Lochristi, he learned playing piano and drums at a very young age. His grandmother, Simonne Kaesen, was a renowned violinist. His grandfather Honoré Van der Heyden was the first gynecologist from Ghent. From his mother's side, his grandfather Jozef Delbecque was a conductor and trumpet teacher who survived World War 2 as a member of the resistance. The Van der Heyden family name is associated with an old European lineage and has its own heraldic shield. Van der Heyden started producing beats at the age of 15, working in a program called Ableton Live. A few years later he made his first money by selling beats with the famous Belgian producer Chuki Beats.[citation needed]
Education
Van der Heyden studied law and holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, with a specialization in Intellectual Property (IP) law.[1]
Early Career
After completing his law degree, Van der Heyden worked as a legal advisor and expat banker at ING. In 2020, he transitioned from banking to pursue a full-time career in music production, as reported by Het Nieuwsblad.[2]
Acting Career
At age 11, Van der Heyden played Oliver in a stage production of Oliver Twist.[3] This performance brought him to the attention of Belgian filmmaker Peter Monsaert, who subsequently cast him as Dirk in his film De Onvrijwillige Poeet. [4]
Music Career
David Van der Heyden, performing as Lavito, has produced music across multiple genres and platforms. Notable achievements include:
Composing and performing a live concert of his film music with the Harmony of Latem.[5]
Producing the trap song “Down” for Indian rapper Raftaar together with Tom Enzy.[6]
Producing hiphop tracks for Belgian rapper Spreej from the duo Safi & Spreej, including the songs "LOSTBOYDEMIGOD" and “DRIETAND”.[7][8]
Producing and performing the afrobeat/reggaeton song "Viaje" with the Argentinian singer J Mitzu which went viral in Colombia.[9]
Producing and performing the phonk song Dragon Slayer with Indian duo RVPTR and Dutch rapper Godmode that achieved over 5 million streams worldwide.[10]
Collaborating with musician Ian Thomas on the song "Fast Life"[11]
Collaborating with journalist/filmmaker Ian Urbina (New York Times) on The Outlaw Ocean.[12]
Composing all music for Wondr shampoo bars, integrating his compositions with brand identity.[13]
He has cultivated a significant online following, reaching thousands of fans and currently performs as a DJ making mostly house music with a cinematic touch.[14]
Awards and Recognition
Emmy Award as part of the team for contributions to the documentary The Outlaw Ocean, produced by Ian Urbina.[15]
Personal Life
Van der Heyden suffers from tinnitus and came in the news when he had a miscarriage with his ex-girlfriend who prefers to stay private to the crowd. He owns a dog named Nacho. Van der Heyden is also a gym enthusiast and badminton player balancing his hobbies with his career as a musician and DJ.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "David Van der Heyden – LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Jonge bankier neemt ontslag en gaat volop voor zijn muziek: "Plots kreeg ik telefoon van The New York Times"". Het Nieuwsblad. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Twintig jaar geleden: "Oliver Twist" wordt massaspektakel". Ronny Deschepper. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "De onvrijwillige poeet". De Morgen. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Orkest van Sint-Martens-Latem speelt dit weekend tracks van met Emmy Award-bekroonde producer Lavito". Het Laatste Nieuws. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Raftaar – Down Lyrics". Genius. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Spreej – LostBoyDemigod Lyrics". Genius. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Spreej – Drietand". POKOE Magazine. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Viaje – Lavito & J Mitzu". Spotify. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Dragon Slayer – Godmode, Lavito, RVPTR". Spotify. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Fast Life – Ian Thomas & Lavito". Spotify. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Frontiers (Inspired by 'The Outlaw Ocean' a book by Ian Urbina) – Lavito". Spotify. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "WONDR Moments, het ideale eindejaarscadeau". WONDR. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Meer dan 300.000 maandelijkse luisteraars en een Emmy-award op zak: Gentse artiest Lavito timmert in sneltempo aan carrière". Het Laatste Nieuws. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "The Outlaw Ocean Project Wins an Emmy". The Outlaw Ocean Project. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Gentse artiest Lavito brengt nummer uit over de verwerking van een miskraam: "Hier wordt nog te weinig over gepraat"". Het Laatste Nieuws. Retrieved 21 oktober 2025.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help)