GRAMMY-nominated DJ and musical artist Steve Aoki describes his show at Omnia nightclub at Caesars Palace in three words: Playhouse, adventurous and journey. If you’ve ever been to one of Aoki’s shows, then you get it. If you haven’t, then you really need to get on that, because an Aoki show is one of the biggest parties you’ll experience on the Las Vegas Strip. Aoki performs at Omnia on Dec. 9 and he helps revelers ring in 2023 with a show on Dec. 31. If you can’t catch him this year, don’t fret; he’s on Omnia’s roster for next year, performing in January and February, as well as at the nightclub’s sister venue, Hakkasan at MGM Grand. Recently Las Vegas Magazine had a chance to have some fun with the DJ as we photographed him inside Omnia nightclub and got to chat with the renaissance man.

Aoki has long been at the top of the DJ world—he’s consistently been rated a top-10 DJ in the world, according to DJ Magazine. His unique style in both approaching music and life have kept him an in-demand performer and beloved celebrity all around the world. Aoki is heavily involved in charity work, even starting his own Aoki Foundation that “supports organizations in the brain science and research areas with a specific focus on regenerative medicine and brain preservation.” He’s also a supporter of nurturing new music and artists through his 27-year-old independent record label, Dim Mak. Aoki is also a restaurateur (following in his father’s footsteps, who launched the successful Benihana brand in the U.S. in the 1960s) with a portfolio of more than 10 restaurants, including Kuru Kuru Pa at Resorts World and his pizza shop brand, Pizzaoki, opening a new (and first Las Vegas) outpost this winter at Aria.

In his entrepreneurial endeavors, Aoki co-founded and launched a successful trading-card game IP called MetaZoo. “We’ve been developing and growing this IP called MetaZoo during COVID, and when everything opened up, this IP opened up, and the last 16 months it’s grown to become a $50 million company,” Aoki says.

“It really is the fastest-growing company that I ever co-founded. So this year was really about understanding, preparation, experimenting, learning different worlds, brand building and seeing one of those IPs take over and become one of the leading IPs in its industry. We’re one of the leaders in the space. It’s incredible to see something, outside of what I usually do, grow to such a culture-impacting company. When I think about that, I think about this year is exploring different areas outside of music and growing those.”

Also during the COVID-19 pandemic, Aoki took to the studio to record his seventh studio album, HiROQUEST: Genesis, which was just released in September. “HiROQUEST was born during COVID,” Aoki says. “It was born during isolation. My environment informs my creative process. For the most part wherever I’m touring, wherever I’m traveling is always going to be part of my musical story. Because this album was born in isolation, I was experimenting more. Which I (had) stopped doing, which is kinda sad because of how efficient my music life is—I’m pumping out records that are from my live shows or collaborations with what is happening within culture. So I went back to my roots (with this album).

“I was playing guitar more, playing bass more. I really started thinking about seeking out artists that spoke to me; the sound, the stylings of my youth. I put on more of an A&R hat and I was really seeking out alternative-style singers and also looking at artists that haven’t broken yet, artists on the rise, doing something fresh and cool.

“ In large part, there’s a lot of brand-new artists on the album and the core genre is more alternative. I still have to represent the global sound of Steve Aoki, which is Latin-influenced, hip-hop-influenced, EDM-influenced, and I love that on this album that I made sure to showcase different genres. It’s once again a global sound, but the core genre is alternative.”

To say Aoki is a busy man would be putting it lightly, but it’s always full speed ahead for a man filled with much success and a tenacity for life. He’s a man with many plans and has no intention of slowing down. Aoki performs close to 40 shows a year here in Las Vegas—also his home base. Don’t miss your chance to check out one of his shows at Omnia or Hakkasan—a promise of musical nirvana and always a visual feast of fun.

Get to know Steve Aoki:

Favorite spots for a late-night meal? Raku

Favorite Las Vegas shows? My show at Omnia

Favorite bars and lounges? My house

Favorite spots downtown? Circa

Favorite hidden gem? Sushi Kame

Favorite thing to do on your days off? Play games, go through my cards, build businesses

Best concerts you’ve seen in Las Vegas? When We Were Young festival

Favorite Chinatown spots to eat? Izakaya Go

Favorite Strip restaurants? Carbone

Favorite neighborhood restaurants? CRAFTkitchen

Favorite time of year in Las Vegas? New Year’s Eve

Best spots for a wild night? The Steve Aoki show

Best spots to chill out? My house—Aoki’s Playhouse

Best spots for coffee? My house, honestly. I make crazy-ass coffee

Best Las Vegas attractions? Absinthe

Favorite Las Vegas nightclubs? Omnia and Hakkasan

Three reasons why you love living in Las Vegas? I have the most insane adult playground 20 minutes from my house; I DJ here more than anywhere else in the world (close to 40 shows a year); I like living in the suburbs with my family.

Favorite cuisines? Japanese

Favorite vacation destination? Tokyo

Describe 2022 for you in three words? Innovation, iteration, evolution

One thing you always have to travel with? My eye mask

What musical artist would you love to collaborate with that you haven’t yet? Post Malone

What dead musical artist would you love to have collaborated with? John Lennon

What’s on your to-do list for 2023? Take MetaZoo from a $50 million company to a $500 million company

What’s your go-to snack? Onigiri

Three adjectives to describe your musical style? Genreless, global, banger

How do you start your day? Meditation

Favorite fast-food spot? Kuru Kuru Pa at Resorts World (owned by the Aoki brothers)

Three songs on heavy rotation on your playlist right now? “Movie Star,” “HiROQUEST Anthem” and “Just Us Two” (all from HiROQUEST: Genesis album)

Favorite bands/musical artists from your teenage years? Gorilla Biscuits

Tell us one secret? I have the most-hygienic sneeze in the world

What’s your favorite tattoo and why? My HiROQUEST tattoo because I just dropped my new album and I’m very proud of it

What is your favorite brand of sneakers? Adidas

What are your hobbies? Card collecting, playing Call of Duty and playing poker

Favorite shampoo? Working on an Aoki shampoo—coming very soon!

What scares you? Death

What do you always have to have stocked in your fridge? Sea moss

Do you believe in soulmates? Yes

Would you ever shave your head? No

Who are your heroes (real or fictional)? Bruce Lee and Rocky Aoki

The mountains or the beach? Both

What do you do to relax? Ice baths

If you had one superpower, what would it be? To do what you imagine

What was your favorite subject in school? Sociology

What’s on your nightstand? Melatonin

What’s in your Netflix queue right now? The Sinner

What is the best purchase you’ve ever made? My mom’s house so she’s close to me

Do you still get butterflies when you step onstage? Yes

Any hidden talents? I don’t have any body odor

Top three all-time favorite movies? The Matrix, Fight Club, Interstellar

What’s the best dish you make? Tamari-soaked tofu pasta

Adjectives to describe your personality? Unique, fun, playful, energetic, passionate, creative

What would be your legacy? My music

A place in the world you want to visit that you haven’t yet? Antarctica

Who do you text the most? My manager

What’s your message to your fans? “Embrace the cake”

Favorite cocktail? Mint mojito, Dos Equis (the Aoki can)

Favorite beverage? Water

Some of the best festivals you’ve performed at? Tomorrowland

Three things people should know about you that aren’t already known? I come from a rock background, I used to be straight-edge hard-core, I live in Las Vegas

Your spirit animal? Monkey

Favorite clothing brands? Dim Mak

Biggest pet peeve? Laziness

Whose music inspires you? Fred Again

What has life taught you so far? That I’ve only learned about .1% and I have so much more to go

Omnia, 2022: Dec. 9 & Dec. 31; 2023: Jan. 7 & 17, Feb. 10

Hakkasan, 2023: Jan. 5 & 14=

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