Steve Aoki knows all about creating a strong network of people. The DJ, producer and founder of the Dim Mak lifestyle brand has collaborated with people like Wynter Gordon, Rivers Cuomo, Travis Barker, My Name Is Kay, NERVO, Afrojack and many, many others to bring his musical ideas to life. Just take his latest artist album "Wonderland" for example, which is packed with chart-topping collaborations.
This past weekend, Steve Aoki joined rising pop star Dev on stage at the Ultra Music Festival alongside Timbaland and DJ Skeet Skeet, before playing a set of his own on the music fest's mainstage. A big honor for the Aoki and more proof that his kicky underground tunes are slowly but surely breaking out into the mainstream.
Aoki told me at Ultra that the next single to be released from his new album is the song "Cudi The Kid" that is a collaboration with Kid Cudi and Travis Barker. "We just shot a video for it," he tells me enthusiastically. "I love that video. It's the sickest video I've ever done." He also noted his upcoming collaboration with Tiesto, entitled "Tornado," that is coming out in June.
The DJ explains that the best thing about Ultra Music Festival is to spent time with his fellow DJs. "Last night is a good example," he smiles. "I was just hanging out with David Guetta and Laidback Luke. We never have the opportunity to spend time together but at Ultra every one comes together and we can catch up."
A group of lucky contest winners recently had the opportunity to hang out with Aoki after winning Skype's GroupMe contest. GroupMe is a super handy (and very fun) mobile application from the makers of Skype that lets you text groups of people instead of individuals. If you're trying to bring everyone together at a big event or, in Aoki's case, are producing an album with many collaborators, GroupMe is a fantastic tool to to reach out and make good things happen.
(This post has been sponsored by Skype GroupMe, but all thoughts are our own.)
