Editors’ Note

Counting nearly three billion music streams to his name, Steve Aoki is a true visionary. Billboard described the 2x-GRAMMY-nominated music producer, artist, fashion designer, entrepreneur, futurist, and Dim Mak Records founder as “one of the most in-demand entertainers in the world.” A Guinness World Record holder for the “Most Traveled Musician in a Single Calendar Year,” Aoki has performed at nearly every top festival around the world, including Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza, Fuji Rock Festival, Tomorrowland, and Electric Daisy Carnival. Aoki also graced recent covers of Entrepreneur Magazine, Success Magazine, Electronic Musician, and Adweek as their “Visionary of the Year.” As a globally successful cross-genre solo artist, Aoki has collaborated with an impressive list of varied artists, including BTS, Maluma, Snoop Dogg, Linkin Park, blink-182, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Uzi Vert, 2 Chainz and Daddy Yankee, on top of having released three Platinum singles, six Gold singles, and over ten Top 10 radio records. Aoki approaches each new endeavor with the same sense of dedication he’s put into his past achievements, including the Grammy-nominated Netflix documentary I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead and his memoir BLUE: The Color of Noise. In 2012, he also founded The Aoki Foundation to support organizations in brain science and its research. His influential record label Dim Mak, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021, is known for being a launching pad for the careers of prominent acts like Bloc Party, The Chainsmokers, Bloody Beetroots, The Kills, Zedd, and Diplo.

Company Brief

Aoki Labs (aokilabs.vc) is the venture platform founded by global artist and entrepreneur Steve Aoki. Combining strategic capital, brand insights, and community access, Aoki Labs partners with early-stage companies at the intersection of culture and innovation. The platform is actively investing across consumer, health, AI, and emerging tech – with an ethos rooted in collaboration, creativity, and long-term value building.

Will you discuss your career journey?

My journey has always been about building community. I started out throwing small shows in my college apartment, just trying to create a space where people felt connected through music. That passion eventually grew into founding Dim Mak, touring the world as a DJ, and expanding into all kinds of creative and entrepreneurial projects. At every stage, I’ve looked for ways to push boundaries, whether that’s with music, technology, or philanthropy. It’s never been just about my career – it’s been about creating platforms and experiences that bring people together.

When did you develop your passion for music?

Music has been a part of my life since I was a kid. I was surrounded by so many different influences growing up – punk, hardcore, hip-hop, electronic – and I felt this drive to not just consume it, but contribute to it. When I discovered how powerful it was to connect with people through sound, I knew it was what I wanted to dedicate my life to.

What was your vision for creating Aoki Labs, and how do you define its mission?

Aoki Labs was born from my curiosity about the future – how science, technology, and innovation can enhance the human experience. The mission is to back visionary companies that are reimagining how we live and feel, whether that’s through health, wellness, longevity, consumer products, or digital connection. At its core, Aoki Labs is about investing in ideas that make life better and more meaningful.

How is Aoki Labs committed to enhancing human well-being by backing companies that are reimagining how we live and feel?

We look for founders and companies who are deeply passionate about solving problems that matter. That could mean advancing health tools, rethinking nutrition, developing AI-driven solutions, focusing on next-gen consumer products, exploring new ways of connecting communities online, or investing in technology that will change the way we live. The through line is human well-being – every investment we make has to tie back to improving how people live, feel, and ultimately thrive.

Will you highlight The Aoki Foundation’s efforts to support organizations in brain science and its research?

The Aoki Foundation is very close to my heart. Our focus has been on supporting brain science, regenerative medicine, and research that can change the future of health. We’ve worked with some of the world’s leading institutions to advance studies around brain health, longevity, and ways to fight diseases that impact millions of lives. I see the Foundation as a way to leave a legacy that’s bigger than music – one that hopefully contributes to breakthroughs in how we understand and improve the human mind.

Did you always know that you had an entrepreneurial spirit and desire to build your own business?

Definitely. Even before music, I was organizing shows, starting small businesses, and trying to create something out of nothing. I’ve always had that drive to build, to take risks, and to bring people together around ideas. Music gave me a platform to do it on a global scale, but the entrepreneurial spirit was always there.

With all that you have accomplished in your career, are you able to take moments to reflect and appreciate what you have achieved?

I try to. My life moves really fast, and I’m always chasing the next project or idea, so it’s easy to keep looking forward. But I’ve learned to pause and reflect, especially when I see the impact of what I’m doing. Seeing fans who grew up with my songs or seeing the breakthroughs of ideas we’ve supported – those are the moments when it hits me, and I feel truly grateful.

When you look back at your career, what are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of the community we’ve built. From the earliest Dim Mak shows to the festivals and tours today, it’s always been about connection. I’m proud that I’ve been able to use my platform to not just entertain, but to invest in the future, support science, and inspire others to dream big. At the end of the day, it’s not the awards or the records – it’s the lives touched and the communities built that mean the most to me.