Steve Aoki

Early Life

Steven Hiroyuki Aoki was born on November 30, 1977, in Miami, Florida, and raised in Newport Beach, California. He is of Japanese descent, the son of Rocky Aoki, a former wrestler and founder of the Benihana restaurant chain, and Chizuru Kobayashi. Aoki is the third child in his family, with an elder sister, Kana Grace, and brother, Kevin, who owns Doraku Sushi. He graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1995, where he played on the varsity badminton team, and later attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, earning dual B.A. degrees in women's studies and sociology. During his college years, Aoki produced DIY records and organized underground concerts, establishing his record label, Dim Mak, which he named after his childhood hero, Bruce Lee.

Career

Aoki founded Dim Mak Records in 1996, which has released music from various electro house artists and bands. He gained recognition for his remix work and collaborations with notable artists such as will.i.am, Afrojack, and Linkin Park. His debut DJ mix album, "Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles," was released in 2008, and he became the highest-grossing electronic dance music artist in North America in 2012, according to Pollstar. Aoki's career has been marked by his energetic performances and innovative music, leading to multiple albums, including the "Neon Future" series and collaborations with a wide range of artists.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Aoki married Australian model Tiernan Cowling in 2015, but they divorced in 2018 due to the pressures of his touring schedule. In July 2024, he married Sasha Sofine, and they announced they were expecting a child in January 2025. Aoki is also known for his philanthropic efforts, founding the Aoki Foundation, which supports brain research and various charitable causes. He has participated in initiatives to donate a portion of his concert proceeds to charities, emphasizing his commitment to giving back to the community. Additionally, Aoki was selected for the dearMoon project, a lunar spaceflight mission, showcasing his adventurous spirit beyond music.