The Oxford Union welcomed legendary DJ and record producer Steve Aoki for an individual speaker event on Monday 10th June.
In an hour-long event, he was interviewed in the world-famous debating chamber by Oxford Union President, Louis Wilson, before taking questions from the audience of members, on topics ranging from Steve’s musical origin story to the globalisation of the music industry.
Speaking on his earlier days as a DJ, Aoki says, “I was DJing to throw these parties and build a community. We had a weekly (event), and everyone wanted to be there. Over 3-4 years, that party became the place where every artist wanted to perform. We hosted Lady Gaga's first shows in LA, MIA's first shows in LA, and Kid Cudi’s.”
On the globalisation of the music industry, Aoki says “ BTS blew up around the world, what they did, and what Bad Bunny did, is making a non-dominant language become the most dominant form of listening to music, that's powerful. That's completely upturning how people are listening to music”
He joins a list of illustrious names from the world of music to have spoken at the Union, including Sir Elton John, Mark Ronson, Shakira, Billy Joe, Emeli Sande, James Blunt, along with many more.
