Key Takeaways
- Justin Blau, guided by his entrepreneurial father and creative mother, transitioned from a promising finance career to becoming a successful DJ-producer who prioritizes philanthropy.
- Despite initially skeptical parents, Justin won their support by demonstrating his musical talent, performing to 5,000 college students and building a successful electronic music career.
- Through Blume Records, Justin has uniquely combined his musical success with charitable initiatives, such as funding a school in Guatemala through Pencils of Promise.
Justin Blau, better known by his stage name, 3LAU, has carved an extraordinary path in the music industry with the guidance and influence of his parents.
Born in New York and raised in Las Vegas, Justin’s journey to becoming one of the most notable DJ-producers began with a strong foundation of family support and a shared emphasis on hard work and philanthropy.
A Family O Inspiration
Justin’s father, Robert Blau, played a pivotal role in shaping his worldview.
As a former hedge fund manager and entrepreneur who later started a magic and party production business, Robert instilled in Justin the importance of perseverance and critical thinking.
His mother, a Broadway dancer and choreographer, added a creative dimension to the family, nurturing Justin’s early love for music.
Remarkably, Justin’s grandfather had also been involved in music as one of Jimi Hendrix’s studio engineers, creating a lineage of artistic influence.
Growing up in an environment that balanced ambition with creativity, Justin was introduced to a variety of musical genres from an early age.
Classical piano lessons began at age five, and his mother would often play classical music for him even before he was born.
Later, classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, which his father enjoyed, became part of his musical fabric.
The College Decision That Changed Everything
Justin’s academic journey led him to Washington University in St. Louis, where he pursued a finance major on a full scholarship.
As the son of a former hedge fund manager, Justin was poised for a career on Wall Street.
In his junior year, he received an internship offer from BlackRock, a dream opportunity in the financial sector.
But Justin had already discovered his passion for electronic music during a trip to Sweden, where artists like Swedish House Mafia and Avicii ignited his creative spark.
Justin made a life-altering decision: he turned down the BlackRock offer to pursue music full-time.
He told the recruiter,
“I’m not going to be able to work with you this summer. I’m kind of making dance music.”
Via Forbes
Earning His Parents’ Support
The decision to leave finance for music wasn’t an easy sell to his parents.
At first, Robert and Justin’s mother were skeptical of the music industry’s stability. However, Justin gradually won them over.
He invited his father to one of his shows at Fordham University, where he performed in front of 5,000 college students.
After witnessing his son’s talent and the overwhelming audience response, Robert gave Justin his full blessing.
From that point on, Robert became involved in helping Justin manage his finances, ensuring his career would be built on a stable foundation.
Justin has frequently credited his father’s support as instrumental to his success, stating,
“Now that I have my dad’s approval, I can do this.”
Via ReviewJournal
Building A Career In Music And Philanthropy
Justin’s parents also influenced his dedication to philanthropy, which has been a hallmark of his career.
With their encouragement, he started Blume Records, an innovative label that directs streaming revenue toward charitable causes.
Under this model, Justin funded projects like building a school in Guatemala through Pencils of Promise.
Blau’s entrepreneurial spirit—nurtured by his father—has allowed him to successfully navigate the complexities of the music industry while staying true to his values.
Beyond creating chart-topping tracks and collaborating with major artists, he has used his platform to inspire others to give back.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In 2018, 3LAU pioneered OMF, a blockchain-powered company creating a decentralized music festival network and utility token, with their inaugural event being the first of its kind.
- His musical style primarily blends electro house, dubstep, deep house, and progressive house genres.
- He performed at Donald Trump’s 2025 Inaugural Ball in January 2025.
