During a Thanksgiving celebration a few years back, DJ and business innovator Steve Aoki hosted a dinner for 30 guests at his residence. However, he had an unexpected twist planned for the evening. As the clock struck 10 p.m., Aoki declared, “Alright, dinner’s wrapped up! Now, everyone is going to experience the cold plunge!”
A cold plunge involves immersing oneself in chilly water, reputed for its mental and physical health advantages. Aoki aimed to leverage this experience to promote it as a trend while drawing attention to his brain health advocacy efforts through the Aoki Foundation.
Aoki’s enthusiasm was palpable as he recounted this experience during a Zoom conversation while on his European tour. He has always been captivated by the merging of humanity and technology, reflected through his conceptual albums (including his latest release, HiROQUEST: Double Helix), charitable initiatives, and various creative endeavors.
From biology to the ‘Singularity’
Established in 2012, the Aoki Foundation emphasizes brain wellness and longevity, concentrating on advancements in gene therapy, regenerative medicine, and organ and tissue vitality. The foundation’s Neon Future Science program features in-depth interviews with Aoki about cutting-edge research and discoveries.
The foundation is backed by the Quantum Fund, which includes contributors actively engaged with the foundation’s initiatives, facilitating direct dialogue with highlighted scientists and stakeholders. The organization’s 2022 Form 990 indicates that they also supported six grants to institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, the University of California, San Francisco Foundation, and the Harvard Medical School Foundation.
Aoki’s journey to establishing a foundation wasn’t initially planned. After the passing of his father, Rocky Aoki—a Japanese restaurateur and wrestler—in 2008, Aoki sought to understand the cancer that claimed his life and turned to literature for insight.
“I began immersing myself in topics like nutrition and cellular mutations, exploring intriguing aspects about the human body,” Aoki explains. “This exploration prompted me to question how we could repair our bodies in unprecedented ways… The key to this… is technology and science, which led me to delve into the singularity concepts presented by Ray Kurzweil.”
Ray Kurzweil is a renowned futurist and inventor, also known for his role as a principal researcher and AI strategist at Google. He anticipates that machines could surpass human intelligence within our lifetime. The singularity represents a future hypothetical juncture where technological advancements have profoundly transformed human society. Kurzweil’s perspective on the non-linear evolution of humanity and technology has left a mark on Aoki’s musical journey.
“I channel my interests into music,” Aoki shares. “In 2012, I produced a track titled ‘Singularity,’ and I invited Ray Kurzweil to make a cameo in the music video, which narrates the tale of a man who dies and is resurrected by technological means….”
“I aspired to go further and craft a complete album,” Aoki continues. “I coined the term ‘Neon Future’ for my album series, establishing a comprehensive intellectual property around this concept, marrying technology and humanity in a way that allows us to leverage technology to genuinely become superhuman.”
The Aoki Foundation focuses on the brain
Aoki’s aspiration was to extend this idea beyond the realm of music by backing research aimed at understanding longevity, with a particular focus on brain studies. Thus, he founded his own organization.
“The Aoki Foundation is dedicated to the brain,” Aoki states. “What strategies can we employ for deeper access to it? How do we enhance brain functionality? How can we explore longevity in ways that blend science fiction with scientific reality?”
Among the Aoki Foundation’s research initiatives is a project led by Ashley Mason, Ph.D., a research faculty member and integrative clinical psychologist at the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UC San Francisco. Mason aimed to investigate the benefits of sauna usage, particularly its effects on individuals suffering from depression. Participants in her study were required to complete self-reported assessments regarding their depression levels a week prior, during, and a week post their sauna sessions. The findings revealed a significant reduction in depression symptoms after participants experienced elevated body temperatures of 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
This represents just a fraction of the studies funded by the Aoki Foundation, which seeks to support research with the potential to revolutionize our understanding of brain functionality and develop treatments for degenerative brain diseases.
Steve Aoki’s New Album: HiROQUEST: Double Helix
As of the writing of this article, Steve Aoki had just revealed the upcoming release of his eighth studio album, HiROQUEST: Double Helix, set for November 17. The album’s title reflects Aoki’s fascination with human health and serves as a follow-up to HiROQUEST: Genesis, which dropped in September 2022.
HiROQUEST: Double Helix boasts collaborations with artists like Akon, Paris Hilton, and John Martin. The initial HiROQUEST album was packaged with collector’s cards, leading to swift sales that Aoki attributes to this unique inclusion. (The new album will also include these collectible cards.)
“The collector’s cards were such a hit that we sold 30,000 CDs in just five hours owing to their inclusion,” Aoki explains. “Some of these cards fetched impressive sums, with one selling for as much as $1,500 on eBay.”
The HiROQUEST albums center around a character named Hiro, inspired by Aoki himself. The music video for the remix of Akon’s “Locked Up” by Aoki and Trinix features a claymation narrative of Aoki and Akon attempting to escape from a high-tech prison, enhanced by hackers communicating instructions through screens.
In conjunction with the album, Aoki is co-authoring a book with Jim Krueger, a writer formerly associated with DC and Marvel, detailing Hiro’s storyline as hinted at in the collectible cards. At the time of writing, a release date for the book had yet to be determined, but Aoki is hopeful for an early 2024 launch.
Music Grading and Web3
Aoki is naturally an entrepreneur with several initiatives in the pipeline. Recently, he joined forces with Collector Archive Services to establish the first-ever physical music grading and authentication service. Like collectible trading cards, music collections too can unveil hidden gems of high value. This new initiative allows audiophiles to submit vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, and 8-tracks for professional grading.
Additionally, Aoki is exploring various NFT ventures and has founded a Web3 community named AOK1VERSE that enhances both digital blockchain interactions and tangible experiences, such as concert tickets and early access to Aoki’s NFT releases.
“Often, members of the community attend my shows and get to experience backstage with me,” Aoki shares.
Furthermore, Aoki collaborates with his audience within AOK1VERSE but acknowledges that as the community expands, personal engagement has become more challenging.
“I’ve already collaborated with three members to create tracks, two of which made it onto the album, representing the highest tier of AOK1VERSE: level 6,” Aoki explains. “Within a month of launching AOK1VERSE, some members managed to achieve that level, a feat I hadn’t anticipated…”
“In my view, Web3 is fundamentally about amplifying voices in innovative ways,” Aoki says. “Having witnessed the rise of NFT culture and its current fluctuations, it has become clear that for success, tangible real-world value is essential.”
Aoki envisions a future where blockchain technology could be essential for authenticating processes and constructing smart contracts tied to real-world scenarios. This notion points towards an impending convergence of blockchain and everyday life. He already perceives connections between blockchain strategies and the usage of smart contracts.
“I strive to continuously foster the framework necessary for the future, aiding integration into daily life and cultural transactions,” he expresses.
Aoki’s DIY Genesis
Aoki has consistently pushed the envelope of creativity through thematic fusion and has thrived due in part to his flexibility in managing multiple projects and embracing new experiences. He attributes this to the DIY ethos prevalent in the punk rock community, where he began true to his roots long before establishing himself as a DJ.
“My commitment to music began at age 14,” Aoki reflects. “At that age, I discovered music as something more than mere passive listening; I was inspired to create.”
Aoki learned to sing, play guitar, and drums, eventually producing his first demo. The DIY culture of punk rock instilled in him the belief that he could realize any vision—and he did. This mentality propelled Aoki through numerous ventures, ultimately leading to the founding of Dim Mak Records in 1996, which has represented artists like Bloc Party and The Gossip.
“I never felt constrained by the thought of, ‘I can’t manage this; I lack the resources, support, or branding,’” Aoki states. “I embraced the ability to start small and grow organically. We exist in an era of entrepreneurship, where anyone can initiate a venture with minimal resources—like creating a lamp business if that’s your passion.”
Making Connections
“The most rewarding aspect of the DIY ethos lies in the empowering sentiment that you can achieve whatever you envision,” Aoki conveys. “If you aspired to establish a label, you could; if you wished to create a fanzine or join a band, pursue it. You might perform for an audience of three, but the opportunity is there… I’ve carried this principle throughout my life.”
“Upon relocating to LA, I began signing rock bands like The Kills, and later Bloc Party and the Klaxons,” Aoki notes. “Eventually, I remixed these artists. Back in 2005, I took on a remix for Bloc Party while spinning records in dimly lit bars at Dim Mak events. My journey evolved from hosting shows in my college apartment to organizing gigs at established venues. Artists would come, and I would open for them as a DJ.”
Connected through these events, Aoki found opportunities to remix existing tracks. Collaborating with mentors taught him production skills, which culminated in his first single, “I’m in the House” (featuring Zuper Blahq, an alias of will.i.am) in 2009. These connections paved the way for further collaborations.
“Los Angeles is the epicenter for musicians, as the city fosters connections with diverse artists,” says Aoki, who went on to remix Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness” and tour alongside him.
Finding Energy in Music
Aoki’s lifelong commitment to music clarifies the intense devotion he has experienced from fans during tours. He confessed that his inaugural tattoo was inspired by a band—though he refrained from disclosing which band—thus expressing his appreciation for fans who sport Aoki or Dim Mak tattoos.
“It’s quite understandable. Music possesses a profound influence,” Aoki reflects. “It incites actions that are often inexplicable, akin to the force of love—two elements that transcend rationality.”
By 2011, Aoki was performing approximately 300 shows annually and has sustained this pace while accommodating breaks for personal well-being. He places emphasis on health and prioritizing his brain wellness, partaking in heat exposure therapies akin to those researched by Mason.
For Aoki, music serves as his fundamental energy source. Aware of the profound impact of brain health on his life, he seeks out “renewable sources” of energy through a balanced lifestyle—although he admits to indulging in coffee and tea occasionally. For him, his profession is an unparalleled source of vitality.
“I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to have a career that affords me such intense, constructive doses of dopamine,” Aoki remarks. “Performing for audiences worldwide fills me with an ineffable high—a sense of euphoria and appreciation. It’s genuinely the most uplifting experience, brimming with joy and gratitude,” Aoki states.
“These are the feelings I strive to experience consistently.”
