Feature - Aoki
“I’ll sleep when I am dead.” The motto is tattooed on the back of DJ and electronic dance spin master Steve Aoki’s neck, and it says it all. Living true to this adage has its advantages—he never stops moving. Aoki’s compulsive work ethic compliments his whirlwind lifestyle, complete with private jets and all-nighters from New York City to Paris to Ibiza S A N TA B A R B A R A
and residencies in Las Vegas. He’s famous for his parties, wild romps onstage, crowd surfing, and especially his cake-throwing antics. His penchant for spraying champagne onto an enthralled and pulsing audience during his sets is legendary. Born in Florida to Japanese showman Rocky Aoki (founder of the Benihana restaurant chain) and Chizuru Kobayashi, the family later settled