Steve Aoki

Steve Aoki (born Steven Hiroyuki Aoki) is a Japanese-American DJ and record producer. Aoki was born in Miami, Florida, and is the son of Rocky Aoki, the founder of Benihana. He later moved to California and went on to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned two bachelor’s degrees in feminist studies and sociology.

While in college, Aoki began promoting underground concerts and DJ nights, laying the groundwork for his future career. In 1996, he founded the independent record label Dim Mak, which became a launching pad for emerging artists. His relentless touring and growing reputation as a dynamic performer helped him break into the mainstream EDM scene in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Aoki released several studio albums, including Wonderland (2012), which earned him his first Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronica Album. He went on to release albums like Neon Future I (2014), Neon Future II (2015) and Hiroquest: Genesis (2022). He is also known for high-profile collaborations with artists such as BTS, Backstreet Boys and Louis Tomlinson.

Aoki married Australian model Tiernan Cowling in 2015, and the couple divorced in 2018. He later began dating Sasha Sofine, and the twosome tied the knot in 2024. They welcomed their first child, a son, together in July the following year.