Marco Cariola: The Nightmare of Many FAKE DJs and a Broken Music Industry
Credit: Marco Cariola
He’s anonymous, brutally honest, and suddenly one of the most talked-about figures in electronic music. Marco Cariola is exposing the industry’s fakery — but can he stay true as his own fame rises?
Exposing the Illusion
In an industry built on image, numbers, and illusion, a mysterious figure has emerged who refuses to play along. His name is Marco Cariola — or at least that’s the name on his Instagram account @marcocariolaaa. Nobody really knows who he is, but his message is unmistakable: the electronic music scene has a problem with authenticity, and he’s here to expose it.
Using tools like modash.io, Cariola has created a system that tracks fake followers and inflated engagement among DJs and influencers. He doesn’t just collect data — he exposes names. One of his most talked-about revelations so far: Indira Paganotto’s 65,49% fake followers. For an industry obsessed with social metrics, this kind of transparency feels almost revolutionary.
Cariola’s account is a strange hybrid of journalism, satire, and social commentary. Every week, he posts the “cringe moments” of the electronic world — awkward promo videos, overhyped performances, inflated egos. What started as lighthearted parody during the pandemic has grown into something sharper and far more influential.
From Lockdown Joke to Industry Mirror
In an interview with Parkett Channel, he explained how it all began: during lockdown, frustrated and bored, he started editing DJ videos “just for fun.” What followed was an avalanche of attention. He describes the project as a kind of “handmade” work — no sponsors, no team, no agenda. Everything he posts is his own creation, born out of love for the scene and a deep desire to challenge its hypocrisies.
Cariola insists he isn’t trying to destroy careers. He calls what he does “turning on the light.” His goal, he says, is not moral judgment but awareness — to make people think about the culture of fake numbers, image obsession, and empty marketing that has crept into club culture. “I don’t want to preach,” he said in the interview. “I just want to light a lamp.”
He’s not wrong: the industry’s balance has shifted. Social media visibility often outweighs actual DJ skill or musical innovation. Some artists spend more time curating their online personas than crafting their sets. Cariola’s posts highlight this shift — brutally, sometimes hilariously, but always with purpose.
When the Watchdog Gains Followers
Ironically, his own popularity is now skyrocketing. Even global icons like Tiësto have started following him. The man who built a platform on calling out fake fame now faces a very real test of authenticity himself. Can he keep his edge as his audience grows? Will he stay independent, or be swallowed by the same system he critiques?
Whatever happens next, Marco Cariola has already made an impact. He’s sparked conversations that the industry has long avoided — about honesty, value, and what it really means to “make it” in electronic music. His voice is uncomfortable, but necessary.
In a world where image is everything, he reminds us that truth still hits harder than a drop.
Tesca Cappuccini, Digital Editor
