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Grammy-nominated DJ, record producer, restaurateur, fashion and music executive, Steve Aoki has debuted his highly anticipated album Steve Aoki Presents KOLONY, out now via Dim Mak Records / Ultra Records. KOLONY is a ten-track release of party-cranking tracks, an amalgamation of collaborations that blurs the boundaries between electronic music and hip-hop, landing on something in between and adding supplemental flavor.

On Wednesday, Aoki celebrated KOLONY’s debut by shutting down a block in New York City for a special live concert event and runway show, hosted by Build Series. Aoki treated hundreds of fans to an exclusive first listen of the project during his DJ set where he was joined on stage by a live marching band and special guest performers Bok Nero, Sonny Digital, Ayo & Teo, Ma$e, and more. Aoki also debuted a preview of “Paradise Found” his sixth collection for DIM MAK, a street influenced menswear brand, and ended the show by caking the crow.

On Thursday, Aoki shared the stage with Ma$e and Bad Royale for a live performance of “4,000,000 (feat. Ma$e & Big Gigantic)” at Live with Kelly and Ryan.

With countless collaborations from some of hip-hop’s biggest figures, KOLONY is stacked with hard-hitting rhymes from some of the most prominent lyricists today, including Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, Migos, 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane, T Pain, ILOVEMAKONNEN and more. Featuring standout singles “Night Call” featuring Migos and Lil Yachty, “Lit” with Gucci Mane, T-Pain and Yellow Claw, “Without U” with 2 Chainz and DVBBS, and countless more, KOLONY serves as Aoki’s first full turn into the hip-hop atmosphere and brings and exciting and expertly crafted new facet to Aoki’s noted list of accomplishments.

“When I was in the studio working on this project or a song with someone that made it to the album, they brought their own crew, and I’d turn around and be like, ‘this squad is like a colony,’” explains Aoki of the title. “We’re like a colony, because it just felt like the energy in the room was more vibrant. It was a lot of energy from people flowing from the studio, and I loved that think tank, that group collaboration, and spirit.”

Moreover, KOLONY has already garnered critical acclaim straight out of the gate. Billboard raved that “Steve Aoki is back on the collaborative tip, and he is swinging for the stars,” and XXL praised how “Steve Aoki has a remarkable ability of blending new sounds together and he doesn’t disappoint on this high-energy record.” VIBE proclaimed the project “is filled with party-ready singles that are destined to infest radio waves and garner chart topping airplays.”

“I’m definitely an artist that likes to cross out of the lines, color outside of the lines, working with all sorts of different genres,” he says. “When I’m in the studio, I don’t think of myself as an EDM producer. I think of myself just as a producer, and I want to make the best music I can with the artists I’m working with.”

Steve Aoki is a two-time Grammy-nominated electronic dance music superstar who stands as one of pop music’s most tireless multi-hyphenates. One of the Top 50 artists in the world on Spotify, Aoki has continuously established himself as one of music’s most notable names and faces, boasting an illustrious catalog with chart-topping hits. This past year, his latest single with Louis Tomlinson of One Direction fame, “Just Hold On,” reached #1 iTunes overall in 43 countries including the UK, and #1 iTunes Dance in 50 countries including the US. Aoki also earned his latest Grammy nomination this past year for the Best Music Film category via his Netflix original documentary I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and chronicles his fast-paced life as a DJ/producer and offers fans a firsthand look into his world.

In 1996, Steve Aoki founded DIM MAK and developed it into an influential independent record label and music lifestyle brand. Responsible for launching the careers of seminal acts such as Bloc Party, The Bloody Beetroots, The Chainsmokers, Deorro, Keys N Krates and countless others, the independently owned DIM MAK has consistently pushed new musical movements via its staunch DIY ethos. With a back catalog hundreds of records deep, a history of legendary live events, and a fully formed clothing line, Dim Mak continues its global mission of promoting boundary-pushing music and culture ‘by any means necessary.

Full tracklist for Steve Aoki Presents KOLONY:

1 – Steve Aoki – “Kolony Anthem (feat. ILOVEMAKONNEN & Bok Nero)”
2 – Steve Aoki & Yellow Claw – “Lit (feat. Gucci Mane and T-Pain)”
3 – Steve Aoki & DVBBS – “Without U (feat. 2 Chainz)”
4 – Steve Aoki – “How Else (feat. ILOVEMAKONNEN and Rich The Kid)”
5 – Steve Aoki – “Been Ballin (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)”
6 – Steve Aoki – “Night Call (feat. Migos and Lil Yachty)”
7 – Steve Aoki & Bad Royale – “4,000,000 (feat. Ma$e & Big Gigantic)”
8 – Steve Aoki – “If I Told You That I Love You (feat. Wale)”
9 – Steve Aoki & Bad Royale – “No Time (feat. Jimmy October)”
10 – Steve Aoki & Ricky Remedy – “Thank You Very Much (feat. Sonny Digital)”

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