Steve Aokis Kanye, Drake and Eminem remix never released because it just wasnt that good – MusicTech

Being a globetrotting DJ and producer doesnt come without its hardships. Steve Aoki has revealed that his hyper-successful career has seen its fair share of obstacles, including holding back on raising a family, missed opportunities with Kanye, Drake and Eminem, suffering from tinnitus, and losing his best friend.

The 43-year-old has performed a whopping 250 shows per year for 15 years. Thats no easy feat, and its significantly impacted his personal life. Theres a point where, in those moments of loneliness and sadness, I made a decision, he explains on In Depth with Graham Bensinger.

Instead of being at home and potentially having a familyI chose this life, and Im on the road a lot, so whoever I end up dating or whoever becomes part of my lifeIts a specialised life. Its only meant for a certain kind of person to be able to live like thisI definitely want to have kidsTheres no doubt about it. Its going to happen.

Thankfully, Aoki has fallen in love with his career, saying that there is no greater high than being on stage. It is the absolute pinnacle. Drugs cannot reach the high that I am getting. I am completely sober. I dont drink before shows. I dont do any drugs. I let the moment and the real raw connection Im having bring me to that level.

The superstar DJ reflects on those moments and tears up at the thought of his friends that have passed. When [those moments] are gone, theyre gone forever. So you better fuckingyou better give 100 per centbecause after that moment has gone, its gone.

Aokis career has undoubtedly rewarded him with unforgettable moments and opportunities. One opportunity that passed him by in the earlier parts of his journey was a remix of Eminems Forever, featuring Drake, Kanye and Lil Wayne.

He recalls how Kanye called him up to share some lyrics he was working on. He then later bumped into Drake, whose team sent him stems of an upcoming track. Its Drake, its Eminem, its Lil Wayne, and its Kanye West, Aoki says. I could remix the biggest voices of my career.

It never actually ever came out because it just wasnt that good. Sad to say, but thats life. I had the opportunity it wasnt good at the time. If they gave me the opportunity now, itd be a different story.

Bensinger asks Aoki about another affliction of his high-octane career tinnitus. The tinnitus in my left ear; now I have a little bit in my right. Its just part of life, Aoki explains. Ive learned to live with it.

He may have had a turbulent career at times, but Aoki is keen to stick around for as long as possible. My passion is in whats in the future with brain technology The angle is finding a way to live foreverMy moms 78. I want to see her live to 120; I want to say, Mom, you have another 50 more years left, you know?.

Aoki is encouraging his entire family to cryogenically freeze their bodies via the Alcor Life Extension Foundation. He elaborates: Alcor is a facility that deep freezes your bodyIf Im so lucky to die in a hospital situation where they can move my whole body and quickly get my body my brain most importantly into this deep kelvin temperature, andif theres technology to actually bring you back, then I could come back.

But its like, the sad thing is, I dont want to come back and my whole familys gone. Thats why Imasking my whole family, lets at least all do it together, you know?

The full In Depth with Graham Bensinger interview airs this weekend in the US.

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Steve Aokis Kanye, Drake and Eminem remix never released because it just wasnt that good - MusicTech