“As a producer, you don’t clock out. Some songs I’ve probably spent 600 hours on” Steve Aoki on making a career in musicSteve Aoki has spoken about his creative processes as a producer and why he believes you should challenge yourself to push boundaries.
The Miami-born superstar DJ and professional cake thrower spoke to DJ Mag about his new album Paragon and said he has “spent like 600 hours” on some of his tracks over the years.

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“As a producer, you don’t say: ‘OK, I worked from 8 am to 5 pm, I’m clocking out’,” said Aoki. “You don’t clock out, ever. Nope. You’re done when a song is done.”
Elaborating on this approach, Aoki said: “Once I have a challenge to create, my creativity starts flowing, and then my focus starts honing.
“This is how my brain works.”
The Grammy-nominated producer also offered advice to aspiring artists, emphasising the need to stay true to yourself and your style.
“When you’re a young artist, you don’t even know what your f***ing core is. You have to find that sound, you have to find your signature, it takes time. And then when you find it, you can hone in on it and sharpen it and become a warrior, the best warrior on the battlefield.”
Earlier this year, Aoki also published his first graphic novel, the 250-page HiROQUEST Genesis & Double Helix. Aoki said completing the book was a huge task, but one he was able to achieve because of the time he had committed to finishing his records. He also plans to turn HiROQUEST into a TV show in the future.
“I’m a musician and producer and DJ, so this is my natural way to express myself,” he said. “Every one of us, every musician, every creative, we tell stories in our own way.”
Aoki has just concluded Beligum’s EDM festival, Tomorrowland, with a closing set that’s practically become tradition for the festival. Since 2012, he’s played the final set every year except for 2017. “It’s fun, but it’s a heavy responsibility and the highest level of stress,” he says.
“I have to represent the energy of Tomorrowland, this last moment, and to be able to represent that in a big way, it’s a lot of pressure. But I’ll take it every time.”
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