Steve Aoki facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Steve Aoki
Aoki in 2019
Background information
Birth name	Steven Hiroyuki Aoki
Born	(1977-11-30) November 30, 1977 (age 47) Miami, Florida, U.S.
Origin	Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Genres	EDM electro house big room house Dutch house trap hardcore punk
Occupations	DJ record producer music programmer record executive activist philanthropist
Instruments	Keyboards synthesizer Ableton Live turntables
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Dim Mak Ultra Spinnin' Ministry of Sound
Signature

Steven Hiroyuki Aoki (ay-OH-kee; born November 30, 1977) is an American DJ and music producer. He is famous for his energetic live shows. In 2012, he was named the highest-earning electronic dance music (EDM) artist in North America from his tours. In 2024, he was recognized as one of the most impactful Asians by Gold House.

Aoki has released many studio albums. Several of them have appeared on the Billboard music charts. His first album, Wonderland, was even nominated for a Grammy Award in 2013. In 2019, Aoki wrote a book about his life called Blue: The Color of Noise. He also started the Steve Aoki Charitable Fund, which helps people around the world.

Early Life and Education

Aoki was born in Miami, Florida, in 1977. He grew up in Newport Beach, California. His family is of Japanese background. His father, Rocky Aoki, was a wrestler and started the famous Benihana restaurant chain. Steve has two older siblings, Kana Grace and Kevin. He also has three half-siblings, including the model and actress Devon Aoki.

Steve Aoki finished high school in 1995. He was on the badminton team there. He then went to the University of California, Santa Barbara. He earned two degrees, one in women's studies and one in sociology.

During his college years, Aoki made his own music recordings. He also organized underground concerts in his apartment, which was known as The Pickle Patch. He was active in student groups at the university. By his early twenties, Aoki had created his own record label. He named it Dim Mak, after his childhood hero, Bruce Lee.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Dim Mak Records

Aoki in 2008

Steve Aoki started his record label, Dim Mak Records, in 1996. He worked with Blake Miller from the band Moving Units to create remixes. They called themselves Weird Science. Aoki was also part of several bands, like This Machine Kills and Esperanza.

In 2006, Aoki joined the board of the Music Is Revolution Foundation. This group helps provide music education in public schools. In 2008, he released his first DJ mix album, Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles. He has worked with many other famous producers. These include The Bloody Beetroots, Afrojack, and Tiësto.

Aoki has also remixed songs for many popular artists. Some of these include The Jackson 5, Drake, Kanye West, Eminem, The Killers, and BTS.

Becoming a Global Star

Aoki became very popular through his many tours. He is known for his exciting stage shows. These include crowd surfing, throwing cake at fans, and spraying champagne. He performs about 250 shows each year. In 2012, he was recognized as the highest-earning dance artist in North America.

In 2010, Aoki released "I'm in the House" with will.i.am. This song became very popular in the UK. It was also used in the movie Piranha 3D.

In 2012, Aoki released his first extended play (EP) called It's the End of the World As We Know It. His album Wonderland was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2013.

Collaborations and Film Work

Aoki performing in Brazil, 2014

In 2013, Aoki worked with Linkin Park on the song "A Light That Never Comes". This song was featured in the movie The Expendables 3. Aoki also ranked high in the America's Best DJ competition.

Many of Aoki's songs have been used in TV shows, commercials, and movies. For example, "Beat Down" was used in a reality show. His song "Boneless" was featured in commercials for companies like Budweiser. "Back to Earth" was in the film Step Up: All In.

Neon Future Albums

Aoki released a two-part album called Neon Future. The first part, Neon Future I, came out in 2014. It reached number one on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart in the US. The second part, Neon Future II, was released in 2015. It featured artists like Snoop Lion and Rivers Cuomo.

A documentary film called I'll Sleep When I'm Dead was made about Aoki. It shows his life, music, and family history. Aoki also created the soundtrack for the science fiction film The Hive in 2015.

Recent Music Projects

Aoki's fourth album, Steve Aoki Presents Kolony, was released in 2017. It included songs with Migos, Lil Yachty, and Gucci Mane. After the death of Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington, Aoki released tribute songs. In November 2017, he remixed BTS's song "Mic Drop". He also released "All Night" with Fifth Harmony's Lauren Jauregui.

In 2018, Aoki released an EP called 5OKI. It featured collaborations with other producers like Hardwell. He also released "Pretender" with AJR and Lil Yachty.

His album Neon Future III came out in 2018. It included songs with Nicki Minaj, Maluma, and Blink-182. He also collaborated with BTS again on "Waste It on Me". The album Neon Future IV was released in 2020.

Hiroquest Albums

In 2019, Aoki released "Let It Be Me" with the Backstreet Boys. In 2020, he remixed Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's song "Ninja Re Bang Bang". This remix became a theme song for the video game Ninjala.

Aoki's seventh album, Hiroquest: Genesis, was released in 2022. It featured many artists like Mod Sun and Taking Back Sunday. In 2023, he worked with Argentine singer Tini on the song "Muñecas".

His eighth album, Hiroquest 2: Double Helix, came out in November 2023. It included collaborations with Paris Hilton, Akon, and Hayley Kiyoki.

Appearances and Other Interests

Aoki on stage during day three of Collision conference in 2019

Steve Aoki has appeared in many video games and TV shows. He is a co-owner of the esports company Rogue. He appeared as a special player in the video games NBA 2K8 and NBA 2K9. He also made cameo appearances in music videos for other artists. In 2016, he appeared as a character in the video game Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2.

In 2013, Aoki appeared in an episode of the TV series Arrow. He played himself as a DJ. He also appeared in an advertisement for PETA, an animal rights organization. In 2020, he performed in the Fortnite Party Royale Premiere.

Helping Others: Philanthropy

Steve Aoki is very involved in charity work. He started the Aoki Foundation. This foundation supports research on the brain, especially for regenerative medicine and brain preservation. Their goal is a world without brain diseases. The foundation also helps with disaster relief, developmental disabilities, and animal rights.

In 2013, during his North American tour, Aoki donated money from every ticket sale to four charities. Fans could vote for their favorite charity. The Brain Preservation Foundation received the largest donation.

Aoki has received awards for his charity work. EDM.com named him the most charitable EDM producer. In 2015, he became a Global Ambassador for the Best Buddies program. This program helps young people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Personal Life

Steve Aoki was married to Australian model Tiernan Cowling. They got engaged in 2010 and married in 2015. They separated in 2018, partly because of Aoki's busy tour schedule.

His half-sister is the actress and model Devon Aoki. His niece is the model and singer-songwriter Yumi Nu.

In 2022, Aoki was chosen to be part of the dearMoon project. This project planned a trip around the Moon aboard a SpaceX Starship. However, the project was canceled in 2024 due to delays. Aoki is also interested in cryopreservation, which is the process of preserving bodies at very low temperatures.

Awards and Recognition

Steve Aoki has won many awards and received high rankings.

• In 2007, he was named Best Party Rocker DJ by BPM Magazine.
• In 2012, he was ranked No. 15 in the Top 100 DJs by DJ Magazine.
• He won an EDM Effect Woodie Award from MTVu in 2012.
• He was nominated for a Grammy in 2013 for his album Wonderland.
• In 2014, Aoki earned two Guinness World Records. One was for the "longest crowd cheer" and another for the "most glow sticks for thirty seconds."
• He also holds the Guinness record for the "most traveled musician in one year." He performed 161 shows in 41 countries in 2014.
• In 2015, MTV Latin America gave Aoki the Chiuku Award for his humanitarian work.

DJ Magazine Top 100 DJs Rankings

Discography

• Wonderland (2012)
• Neon Future I (2014)
• Neon Future II (2015)
• Steve Aoki Presents Kolony (2017)
• Neon Future III (2018)
• Neon Future IV (2020)
• Hiroquest: Genesis (2022)
• Hiroquest 2: Double Helix (2023)

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Steve Aoki para niños

• Dim Mak Records
• Ultra Records
• List of dubstep musicians
• List of house musicians