The 10 Best Asian DJs of All Time

Electronic dance music is a global phenomenon, and a diverse selection of DJ talent can perform powerful sets at major music festivals.

The best Asian DJs reflect the region’s extensive variety of musical styles and cultural traditions, with these influences positively impacting the EDM scene.

In this article, we’ve covered the ten best Asian DJs of all time, from established acts deeply rooted in the DJ scene to up-and-coming artists with a bright future.

The 10 Best Asian DJs of All Time

Whether you’re a fan of hip-hop or prefer the latest future bass, Asian artists have emerged at the top of each respective style while forging their own identity.

Let’s begin this breakdown of the best Asian DJs of all time, exploring their dominant music genres, popular venues, and notable tracks they’ve produced.

10. Ken Ishii

With many decades of career and a track record for delivering cutting-edge DJ sets in Tokyo and worldwide, Ken Ishii is a dominant player in the Asian DJ community.

Widely considered to be among the best techno DJs of all time, Ishii has defined his distinct brand of futuristic techno through multiple singles and albums.

His debut release, Garden on the Palm, was released in 1993. Ishii has also worked on numerous video game projects, including Tekken 3 and Rez.

Drawing inspiration from Detroit techno, Ishii got his break outside Japan when he was introduced to legendary techno DJ Richie Hawtin and his label Plus 8.

His works are widely celebrated for their highly polished production values and club-friendly beats, as is evident on tracks such as “Let It All Ride.”

Ishii’s music has also been accompanied by cutting-edge music videos, such as the Koji Morimoto-directed animation for “Extra,” which won MTV’s Best Dance Music Video in 1997.

Through this and many other record labels, Ishii has remained a prolific producer while DJing at clubs and festivals around Japan and elsewhere.

His early work remains celebrated today, enjoying numerous re-issues as a younger audience rediscovers his groundbreaking techno, which continues to make waves.

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9. Elephante

The Taiwanese-American DJ Elephante has been performing music from an early age while growing up in Los Angeles, including training as a classical pianist.

This background in music education helped him define a clear melodic style of electronic music and a fusion of genres that is not dissimilar to DJ Krush’s experimental approach.

Elephante became DJing in clubs in 2013, performing regular sets that blended progressive house, big room, and even trap, showcasing his eclectic influences.

His work broke into the underground scene thanks to his uploads to SoundCloud, where his global fan base has viewed them millions of times.

As a producer, Elephante has released numerous singles through self-releases and on labels, including Zoo Music, and his discography includes many remixes.

He has worked with many big-name artists throughout his career, including Calvin Harris, The Chainsmokers, and Nathan Sykes.

Elephante remains at the forefront of the Asian American electronic music industry, releasing multiple tracks annually while DJing regularly in LA.

8. DJ Krush

Like Ken Ishii, DJ Krush is a veteran of the Japanese underground music scene of the 1990s, emerging on the downtempo hip-hop scene in 1994 with the album Krush.

One of the early pioneers of Japanese hip-hop, DJ Krush helped popularize the art of scratching in his home country, attracting a generation of dedicated fans.

Often collaborating for gigs with other notable DJs in his field, such as James Lavelle and DJ Shadow, he infused his productions with experimental beats and samples.

Combining elements of ambient and trip-hop, DJ Krush became a distinct voice in the community and a willingness to explore jazz and other genres.

Since the mid-1990s, DJ Krush has produced over a dozen studio albums, with countless singles, EPs, and compilation albums in his impressive discography.

As a DJ, he remains at the forefront of the underground scene he’s dominated since a young age, pushing the boundaries of turntablism and sampling techniques.

7. Shogun

Another Asian American DJ who caught the attention of one of the world’s leading EDM DJs is Shogun, who became prominent after being spotted by Armin Van Buuren.

Shogun, whose real name is Andrew Chen, was initially inspired to become involved in music through the work of acts such as The Chemical Brothers, Prodigy, and Nine Inch Nails.

His approach to music beyond mainstream dance music’s melodic bass and vocals is evident in his DJing style, which retains a rawer edge than some of his contemporaries.

Shogun’s DJ sets frequently mix up a selection from the best music genres, keeping the audience guessing as he transitions effortlessly between styles.

Later works veer into trance territory, with Shogun frequently appearing on radio shows, such as Trance Around the World and Global DJ Broadcast.

His productions have been regularly released on the Armada Music record label, with notable examples including “Run to My Rescue,” “Save Me,” and Skyfire.

6. Henry Fong

With his distinctive dreadlocks and reputation for delivering groovy electro tracks and expertly created sets, Henry Fong has become a leading player in the dance music industry.

His career began in college when he invested in two turntables and a mixer and began performing in local bars and nightclubs to small but dedicated crowds.

Before long, Fong worked up the ranks to become a famous DJ with his identity while also working as a studio producer after learning to use Ableton.

A string of successful releases soon followed, with many tracks making waves on Beatport and regularly landing in the top ten lists.

This exposure soon exposed Fong to some of the leading names in the EDM scene, with Tiesto, Hardwell, Calvin Harris, and Avicii supporting his work.

By 2015, BBC Radio 1 had named Henry Fong one of the scene’s Future Stars, further catapulting him into the mainstream limelight.

Outside of DJing, he runs a series of workshops and mentoring programs designed to help up-and-coming DJs find their voice and reach their potential.

5. Luminn

The Chinese-born DJ Luminn is another notable Asian DJ highly regarded for his ability to incorporate the latest music trends into his DJ sets.

Specializing in the hugely popular trance scene in China, he has received numerous awards that recognize his exceptional talent and versatility.

Luminn is the only Chinese DJ to have performed trance at the first Ultra Music Festival in China and brought his style to a commercial platform.

He has received the Golden Flower Award for his contributions to the Chinese music industry and is a pioneer of trance around the country.

Outside of his native country, Luminn has shared the stage with a wide range of established artists, from EDM legends such as Deadmau5 to Carl Cox and Paul Van Dyk.

In 2021, he made his first appearance on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list, joining the ranks of other luminaries of the trance scene who inspired his professional life.

Luminn’s influence continues to spread to fans beyond his DJing tours through his position as the Managing Director of the Trance Family China brand.

Read more: Find out how to become a club DJ.

4. DJ Soda

The South Korean artist DJ Soda shares similarities with Luminn, beginning her DJ career in 2013 and quickly securing a series of gigs throughout her home country.

By 2015, she was touring with the Korea World DJ Festival, following this up the next year with the release of her debut EP, Closer, on Warner Music Group’s label.

Since then, DJ Soda’s packed DJing schedule has been complemented by a series of hit releases on various labels, including House of Music and Highline.

Her work has seen her participate in the Typhoon 8 music festival in Singapore, branching away from Asia to hit the decks in Switzerland and elsewhere.

Between 2019 and 2023, DJ Soda enjoyed a prolific run of singles, with tracks such as “If I Die,” “Over You,” and “Alice in Wonderland all performing well in the South Korean charts.

These releases saw her collaborating with a range of other talented artists, including Young Kay, Lost Chameleon, Walshy Fire, and Blasterjaxx.

In 2020, DJ Soda picked up her first major award, winning the Indie Artist category at the South Korea Hallyu Awards for her contributions to the music industry.

Soda has also been crowned Asia’s number-one female DJ by the Djane website for six consecutive years, beating out competition from RayRay and Dinar Candy.

3. Peggy Gou

South Korean Peggy Gou’s career is another vibrant example of a truly talented DJ getting the attention they deserve by carving out a niche in an overly saturated genre.

Considered by many to be one of the best female DJs in the world, Gou burst onto the scene in 2009 following a hugely popular residency at The Book Club in London, England.

Gou immediately began producing her own music after learning Ableton Live, releasing her first track, “Hugaboo,” in 2014 to acclaim from underground music fans.

By 2017, she had debuted at the iconic Boiler Room in New York City, reaching a wider audience and paving the way for high-profile collaborations.

Peggy Gou has DJed alongside many of the big names in techno, including Moodymann and The DJ Koze, at some of the major international music festivals.

She has also released notable techno mix compilations and albums, with her DJ Kicks mix CD garnering huge praise from critics and techno music fans alike.

Joining the ranks of global touring artists, Gou has performed regularly in Ibiza and at clubs such as Printworks in London and Barcelona’s Sonar.

More recently, she has headlined the rave for Squid Game 2, cementing her position as a cultural icon in her home country of South Korea.

2. Zhu

Our last selection for outstanding Asian DJs is Zhu, a multi-talented DJ, musician, and singer who releases tracks on the Mind of a Genius record label.

One of the most famous DJs in his field, he first premiered at the Coachella festival after working anonymously in the dance music scene.

Zhu began releasing music and DJing in clubs in 2014, receiving positive reviews for his debut track, “Moves Like Ms Jackson,” before earning support from Pete Tong.

This name-drop on Tong’s Radio 1 show as an “Essential New Tune” helped Zhu to reach a broader audience looking for his unique style of house music.

By the late 2010s, he was taking to the stage at Ultra Music Festival and other major events, paving the way for studio remixes of works by Gorillaz and Migos.

Zhu took a break from touring in the early 2020s to focus on production, with a series of singles and albums accompanied by work for video games such as Mortal Kombat 1.

1. Steve Aoki

Few people haven’t heard of Steve Aoki, one of the world’s highest-paid DJs known for his eclectic musical style and prominent position in the modern dance music scene.

The American producer of Japanese descent began his career in the early 1990s by founding Dim Mak Records, a record label for electron house artists.

Aoki’s early career also saw him performing in a variety of bands before he returned to a focus on electronic dance music, which would earn him worldwide fame.

Known for performing DJ sets that effortlessly blend house and EDM with other styles, Aoki’s rise to fame was meteoric, earning him millions of dollars.

Aoki has released many albums and singles throughout his career, with multiple releases achieving gold and platinum with millions of combined copies sold.

A household name with an enviable list of high-profile collaborators, Steve Aoki continues to produce prolific experimental works that push the boundaries.

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Summary

After working their way up through local clubs in the EDM scene, the most promising Asian talent has become highly successful touring artists with a global reputation.

The Asian DJs outlined in this article provide the perfect springboard for a deep dive into more Asian artists emerging in the EDM community and beyond.

With greater access to DJ controllers and other equipment than ever before, the future for Asian DJs is likely to deliver more impressive talent.