Steve Aoki is one of the biggest names in dance music, producing and remixing a host of classic tracks as well as running the iconic Dim Mak record label.
Never one to understate things, his next release sees an ambitious double album: part one - Neon Future I will drop on 12 August; with the second half, Neon Future II to follow in early 2015. The impressive list of collaborators include Fall Out Boy, Empire of the Sun, will.i.am, Flux Pavilion, Bonnie McKee and Machine Gun Kelly, cementing Steve's position in the top tier of producers.
If that wasn't enough, he headlines the iconic Madison Square Garden on August 16th to celebrate the release of the album.
We caught up with Steve to discover his Ultimate Playlist and the stories behind the selections; who knows, maybe one or two of these will pop up in his set at MSG...
Listen to the whole playlist on Spotify
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Favourite Ballad
"Bohemian Rhapsody: it's my favorite song, period, by one of my favorite bands and my favorite singer of all time. No other song can take you on a deeper and more emotional journey than this classic."
Favourite club anthem
"My remix to Pursuit of Happiness for some reason is one of my tracks that has never quite retired and every time i drop it anywhere around the world i can hear the crowd singing along to the lyrics."
Favourite movie soundtrack song
"Lux Aeterna in Requiem for a Dream. That movie is perverse but beautifully shot and the orchestral number is dark and beautiful at the same time. Hits your senses all the right way at the right time."
Favourite song that no-one else has heard of
"Deafening by From Monument To Masses. An incredible and emotional instrumental record with intelligent political samples buried within their layers of music. "
Favourite song from your childhood
"Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today. This was the song and more importantly represented the kind of music that became the driving force behind the lifestyle community and culture of what was my adolescent life."
Favourite lyric from a song
"Rage Against The Machine: "It has to start somewhere, it has to start sometime, what better place than here? What better time than now?”
"Rage is one of my favourite bands with my favorite lyricist. Successfully mainstreamed their power in politics in their music which is incredibly rare to do with a system that only allows so much. Whenever I listen to Zach De La Rocha over those bass lines and loud drums I’m empowered with inspiration energy and a longing for community strength."
Favourite song to hear at a wedding
"Duck Sauce - NRG (Skrillex, Kill the Noise, Milo and Otis remix) 'cuz it makes me smile and want to dance and weddings are supposed to be fun and happy."
Favourite novelty song
"Buddy Holly - Everyday. I know he had more hits than this one but it's definitely a novelty song for me. This was one of those songs that DJ AM always used in his mix when he’d mix up all kinds of genres and he’d mix this with Kelly Clarkson and my remix to Bloc Party. I’ve definitely used this record in a similar fashion inspired by the late and great DJ AM."
Favourite song currently in the top 40
"The Chainsmokers - #Selfie. Proud of these New York DJs that came straight out of the gate with a satirical song that broke right into popular culture. No one expected it to happen at this level and this also became my record label Dim Mak’s first electronic song to break into the top 40."
Favourite song from your own music
"Rage The Night Away. a new song from my upcoming album Neon Future. I wrote this one with Waka Flocka Flame and the song is about going out and having the time of your life."
(Images: Getty)
