Steve Aoki (born November 30, 1977) is an American DJ, producer and music entrepreneur. He was born in Miami, Florida, into a Japanese American family and later came to prominence as a global touring artist and label founder. Aoki's public persona blends club‑focused electronic music with theatrical live antics — including cake‑throwing and stage dives — that helped define his reputation as a festival headliner.
Musical style and career
Aoki is best known for an energetic electro‑house sound, frequent remixes and for building a roster of cross‑genre collaborations. He began releasing music independently and eventually founded the label Dim Mak, which has released material by electronic and alternative acts. Industry tallies have repeatedly noted his commercial success as a live draw; for example, Pollstar cited him among the top‑grossing dance artists in North America during the 2010s. His work includes official remixes, original singles and collaborative tracks that bridge pop, rock and hip‑hop influences.
Collaborations and notable partners
Aoki has worked with a wide range of artists from different scenes. Selected collaborators include:
Recordings and impact
He has released several studio albums and EPs, including mainstream charting releases and the multi‑part "Neon Future" project and Wonderland. Singles, remixes and collaborations from his catalog have appeared on charts and streaming playlists; publications such as Billboard have documented his entries and chart performance. Aoki's remixes are often credited with bringing electronic production techniques into pop and rock contexts.
Beyond performance and records, Aoki's career touches on label operation, festival programming and brand partnerships. He has used his public platform to expand into fashion, merchandising and occasional philanthropic efforts, and he remains a polarizing but influential figure in dance music — notable both for his studio work and for an unmistakable live show style that emphasizes audience interaction and spectacle.