This Grammy Nominated Japanese-American DJ-Entrepreneur-Fashion Designer Draws Inspiration From Life Everything in life inspires me, says Steve Aoki
By Nidhi Singh
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
You're reading Entrepreneur Asia Pacific, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
"Inspiration comes from everywhere, it doesn't have to necessarily evolve from a song but from living life." Steve Aoki's words reflect his spirit and source of inspiration.
Having been in the electronic music scene for more than 13 years, the Grammy-nominated Japanese-American DJ and producer is soon going to release his memoir, BLUE: The Color of Noise. But it doesn't stop there, as his dream project, a podcast "Aoki "N Air" with Japanese airline, All Nippon Airways (ANA), was launched on Spotify last month.
He shot to fame with his first big hit single I'm in the House in 2009, and now, he is riding high on the success of the songs – "You Are Lonely" (2019), "Just Hold On" (2016), "No Beef" (2012) and "Play It Cool" (2019). His album Wonderland was nominated for Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronica Album in 2013. His most recent collaboration "Play It Cool", with global superstars Monsta X garnered over 5 million views in 5 days.
He admits he draws inspiration from the immediate surroundings.
"I'm lucky because I get to travel the world and get inspired by so many things that are happening around me. I try to take my experiences and apply them in the studio. Music is really based on your emotions and feelings. Whether you're sitting on a beach in a remote island or diving down a ski slope or at a festival, you're soaking it all in. All these things are going to inspire you musically," says Aoki.
Through relentless touring he gained huge support from colleges. Aoki is widely known for his acrobatic crowd surfing stunts, throwing cake at fans, spraying champagne bottles, and riding rafts on the dance floor.
The DJ believes it doesn't matter what you do, if you're a creator, in any form or fashion you are going to use all these influences and that's what I do.
"I keep my boundaries wide open and allow all aspects of life into my music. Everything in life inspires me, "he says.
