Steve Aoki

Steve Aoki
Name	Steven Hiroyuki Aoki
Birth name	Steven Hiroyuki Aoki
Birth date	November 30, 1977
Birth place	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Origin	Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Genres	Electronic dance music, electro house, EDM
Occupations	DJ, record producer, music executive
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Dim Mak, Ultra Records, Dim Mak Records
Associated acts	Linkin Park, will.i.am, Iggy Azalea, Afrojack, BTS

Steve Aoki Steven Hiroyuki Aoki (born November 30, 1977) is an American music producer, record executive, DJ, and entrepreneur known for high-energy electronic dance music performances and cross-genre collaborations. He founded the independent label Dim Mak Records and has worked with a range of artists across pop, hip hop, rock, and electronic music, achieving international touring success and mainstream chart presence. Aoki's public profile spans music production, live spectacle, fashion, and philanthropy.

Early life and education

Aoki was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Newport Beach, California in a family with ties to Honolulu and Japan. He attended Sierra Canyon School and later enrolled at University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a degree in sociology and was involved in campus nightlife intersecting with emerging rave and dance music culture. His family includes entrepreneurs and executives associated with Benihana and the hospitality industry, connecting him to networks in Los Angeles and New York City.

Music career

Aoki launched Dim Mak Records in 1996, a label that released early material by artists associated with the global electronic scene, including acts within electro house and dance-punk movements. He rose to prominence through remixing and producing tracks for musicians across genres, leveraging relationships with artists on labels like Ultra Records and collaborating with DJs from scenes in Ibiza, Las Vegas, and Tokyo. His career encompasses studio production, A&R, and curator roles, and he has been credited with helping bring underground electronic artists into mainstream festivals such as Ultra Music Festival, Coachella, and Tomorrowland.

Discography and notable releases

Aoki's studio albums, compilations, and singles have charted internationally on outlets like the Billboard 200 and genre-specific charts. Key releases include full-length albums and collaborations that feature mainstream pop and hip hop artists, resulting in singles that appeared on Billboard Hot 100 and international charts in markets including United Kingdom and Australia. His catalog on Dim Mak encompasses a broad array of singles, remixes, and compilation albums tied to the evolution of 2000s and 2010s electronic dance music scenes.

Collaborations and production work

Aoki has produced and remixed tracks for artists spanning rock, hip hop, and pop. Notable collaborators include members and acts such as Linkin Park, Rihanna, will.i.am, Iggy Azalea, Lil Jon, Kanye West-adjacent producers, and international pop acts including BTS and other K-pop artists. He has contributed to soundtrack and compilation projects and partnered with producers from labels like Dim Mak Records and major record companies, engaging with remix culture alongside figures from Calvin Harris-adjacent electronic pop scenes.

Live performances and tours

Aoki is known for high-energy setlists at festivals and clubs across continents, performing at major events including Ultra Music Festival, Coachella, Tomorrowland, Electric Daisy Carnival, and residencies in Las Vegas nightclubs. His live shows often incorporate stage theatrics, guest vocalists, and immersive visuals curated with production teams tied to touring promoters and festival organizers. Aoki's touring network includes North American, European, Asian, and Australasian circuits, frequently collaborating on bills with prominent DJs and bands from scenes centered in Los Angeles and New York City.

Business ventures and philanthropy

Beyond music, Aoki founded Dim Mak Records and expanded into fashion collaborations, beverage partnerships, and lifestyle branding with companies and designers linked to the music and nightlife industries. He has launched merchandise lines and capsule collections with brands known in Los Angeles and international fashion capitals, and engaged in investments connecting to technology startups in Silicon Valley. Philanthropically, Aoki has supported causes through benefit concerts and foundations associated with medical research and disaster relief, partnering with nonprofit organizations and public figures to raise funds and awareness.

Personal life and public image

Aoki's public persona mixes performance spectacle, social media presence, and celebrity collaborations, leading to coverage in outlets centered on music, entertainment, and culture in Los Angeles and New York City. He has been involved in high-profile relationships and publicized friendships with artists, producers, and entertainers, often appearing on television and at award ceremonies such as the Grammy Awards and industry events in Tokyo and Seoul. His image includes trademarks such as cake-throwing stage antics and collaborative ventures across multiple creative industries.

Category:American DJs Category:Record producers from California