Dim Mak Records

History

Early years

Steve Aoki started Dim Mak Records in 1996 at the age of 19, out of his college apartment at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The label's first release was a 7-inch record by a hardcore punk band called Stickfigurecarousel. The name "Dim Mak" is a reference to Bruce Lee's Death Touch martial art technique. Prior to launching Dim Mak, Aoki was involved in the local hardcore punk scene. As a writer for a small zine, Aoki would often receive demos and albums to review. Meanwhile, he began hosting punk and hardcore shows in the living room of his college apartment, which came to be known as The Pickle Patch. Hundreds of acts played in this early space, sometimes in exchange for a place to sleep for the night, including The Rapture, Jimmy Eat World, Atom & His Package, and more. The relationships formed throughout these formative years served as a crucial foundation for what would later become Dim Mak Records. In 2001, Dim Mak released one of the label's first nationally recognized projects with the self-titled debut EP from Pretty Girls Make Graves. Following the success of this record along with The Kills’ Black Rooster in 2002, Aoki relocated Dim Mak to Los Angeles, initiating the label's second era.

Indie rock era

In 2003, Dim Mak began to build out its roster through the addition of indie rock artists, beginning with the U.K. band Bloc Party. After mailing Aoki a 7-inch of their track "She's Hearing Voices", the group signed to Dim Mak Records. Shortly afterwards, Dim Mak entered into a partnership with VICE (a subsidiary of Atlantic Records), for the rights to Bloc Party, marking Dim Mak's first deal with a major label. Together, Dim Mak and Atlantic released Bloc Party's debut album Silent Alarm in 2005, which went on to sell over 350,000 physical albums.

Electro era

As underground dance music began incorporating (which was coined electro at the time), Dim Mak shifted with the times and entered its electro era. One of the biggest tracks of this era came when Steve Aoki collaborated with The Bloody Beetroots for "Warp 1.9", the lead single off their debut album Romborama. Thump placed the track at #19 on their 101 Best EDM Songs of All Time list and called it 'Perhaps the definitive track from that particularly fruitful period of hook-laden abrasiveness.'

Around the same time, Dim Mak released an album from Mstrkrft titled Fist of God, which brought major pop and hip-hop collaborators into the electro scene.

New Noise

New Noise is Dim Mak's new music discovery imprint that focuses on cutting-edge sounds from burgeoning artists across the genre spectrum. Launched in 2010, New Noise got its start as a compilation series highlighting fresh faces handpicked by Steve Aoki and crew. By 2015, the platform evolved into a bi-weekly, free-download platform based on singles. Ghastly's underground house single "Every Night" was the first release of many under this format. As of 2016, New Noise's current incarnation is a copyright free model that allows the budding community of Twitch gamers and amateur YouTube content creators to use New Noise music in their videos and live streams sans purchase or fees, all in exchange for linking back to the artists and their music.

Music publishing

Steve Aoki founded Dim Mak Publishing in 2014, as the fourth division of the Dim Mak brand. Since its launch, songs from the Dim Mak Publishing repertoire have landed major sync placements across national advertising campaigns (T-Mobile, Acura), feature films (Sausage Party, Ride Along 2, Why Him?) and TV programs (Transparent, CSI: Cyber). On August 9, 2017, Dim Mak Publishing announced that it had signed a global deal with Warner/Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group. Warner/Chappell now administers the entire Dim Mak Publishing catalog, which includes a wide variety of dance/electronic works from songwriters such as Autoerotique, Garmiani, Henry Fong, Max Styler, Ookay, Quix, Shaun Frank, Stööki Sound, and Viceroy.

Associated artists

• 2Deep
• Steve Aoki
• Atari Teenage Riot
• Autoerotique
• Aviella
• Bloc Party
• The Bloody Beetroots
• Cetana
• Chemical Surf
• Chyl
• The Deadly Syndrome
• Diamond Pistols
• Angger Dimas
• Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
• Dyro
• Henry Fong
• Shaun Frank
• Garmiani
• Wolfgang Gartner
• Ghastly
• Cheyenne Giles
• Global Dan
• Godlands
• Gossip
• I Wish I
• Jstjr
• Keys N Krates
• The Kills
• Laidback Luke
• Lil Jon
• Linney
• Moistbreezy
• Mstrkrft
• Mustard Pimp
• Niiko X Swae
• Nostalgix
• Yumi Nu
• Oh No Oh My
• Ookay
• Pls&TY
• Pretty Girls Make Graves
• Quix
• RayRay
• Callie Reiff
• Bella Renee
• Alvin Risk
• Rob Roy
• Scanners
• Dan Sena
• Shndō
• Sickboy
• Sikdope
• Snavs
• Softest Hard
• Stickfigurecarousel
• Stööki Sound
• Max Styler
• Dani Thorne
• Tiësto
• Viceroy
• Vincent
• WatchTheDuck
• XTRMST
• Zedd
• Zuper Blahq (alias of Will.i.am)

Notes

Some Steve Aoki releases are co-released alongside Ultra Records as well as Dim Mak Records, however, they are officially registered under the Ultra Records discography.

Events

Dim Mak events have featured performances from a diverse range of acts such as Migos, Lil Uzi Vert, Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk, Skrillex, Rae Sremmurd, Kid Cudi, Zedd, Lady Gaga, Waka Flocka Flame, Will.i.am, Dillon Francis, Diplo, Justice, Afrojack, Travis Scott, Bloc Party, Borgore, Yellow Claw, and Steve Angello.

Dim Mak Tuesdays

From 2003 to 2014, Dim Mak held weekly events known as Dim Mak Tuesdays at Dim Mak Studios (previously known as Cinespace) in Hollywood, California. The list of artists who have performed at Dim Mark Tuesdays includes Lady Gaga, Justice, Diplo, will.i.am, and Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter.

Festival stages

To date, Dim Mak has hosted branded Dim Mak Stages at major music festivals around the world.

Special events

Dim Mak has an established history of producing special events at key music conferences such as SXSW and Miami Music Week. Also in 2006 and 2007, Dim Mak hosted a music festival in Los Angeles called Neighborhood.

20th anniversary tour

In 2016, Dim Mak commemorated its 20-year anniversary with 20 events around the world.

Clothing & accessories

In 2014, Dim Mak Collection was launched. From its launch Dim Mak has been worn by celebrities and influencers including Gucci Mane, Migos, David Guetta and Bella Thorne and has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue among others.

In addition to the proprietary Dim Mak Collection has collaborated with other influential clothing and accessory brands on limited edition collections. Those are listed as:

References

References

1. (April 14, 2016). "Steve Aoki Reflects On 20 Years Of Dim Mak". Jordan Diaz.
2. (July 1, 2015). "The Rest Is History: Dim Mak". John Ochoa.
3. (March 30, 2016). "Steve Aoki Looks Back On 20 Years Of Dim Mak Records". Anna Oseran.
4. (January 18, 2012). "STEVE AOKI: SOWING THE SEEDS OF DIM MAK". Rob Simas.
5. (March 13, 2008). "Kid Millionaire Cashes Inv". MATT KETTMANN.
6. (July 13, 2017). "The 101 Best EDM Songs of All Time".
7. (August 30, 2016). "Steve Aoki celebrates 20 years of Dim Mak Records". Kat Bein.
8. (March 12, 2015). "Dim Mak Launches Risk Taking Eclectic Free Label New Noise". Jemayel Khawaja.
9. (March 5, 2015). "Dim Mak relaunches "New Noise" as a free music discovery imprint".
10. (March 5, 2015). "Dim Mak announce free Download Service: New Noise". Tabiha Neudorf.
11. (October 7, 2016). "Dim Mak revamps New Noise for gaming and YouTube communities".
12. (August 9, 2017). "WARNER/CHAPPELL INKS ADMIN DEAL WITH STEVE AOKI'S DIM MAK PUBLISHING".
13. (September 8, 2017). "Steve Aoki's Dim Mak Publishing and Warner-Chappell Sign Global Admin Deal". Ed Christman.
14. "Follow 2DEEP on His Journey to 'Guaracha en Reggaetonlandia' in New Music Video — with Steve Aoki!".
15. Desk, TV News. "Aviella Leads With Love on 'tell me what you're thinking'".
16. (November 3, 2022). "Chemical Surf Returns to Dim Mak With Latin House-Inspired "Dale Loca"".
17. Benders, Thorsten. (2024-03-15). "CHYL Drops Highly Anticipated 'Sport Mode' EP (Dim Mak Collections Merch Collaboration)".
18. Benders, Thorsten. (2024-06-09). "Dyro & Linney Team Up for "Obsession"".
19. "Why Wolfgang Gartner used custom-trained AI vocals on 'Automatic'".
20. Bierman, Brooke. (2024-07-13). "Cheyenne Giles and Ookay Reunite for Blistering Bass House Track, "My Mind"".
21. (2023-04-23). "Video Premiere: Global Dan Talks 'Had Me At Goodbye', Working with Steve Aoki, Travis Barker".
22. (2019-07-08). "Godlands Enlists NXSTY For Massive Banger "Lowkey"".
23. Bhanawat, Akshay. (2024-07-19). "JSTJR Drops 'Rock It' EP".
24. Heffler, Jason. (2025-04-18). "Laidback Luke and Nostalgix's "1000 BPM" Is a Lipstick-Smudged Throwback to Dim Mak's Heyday".
25. Lane, Vincent. (2025-03-02). "NIIKO X SWAE Continue To Embrace Nostalgia With “Drop It Low”".
26. Bierman, Brooke. (2024-05-24). "Nostalgix Drops '90s-Inspired Bass House Banger, "Look At Me"".
27. Okwodu, Janelle. (August 17, 2021). "Yumi Nu Is Your New Favorite Model". Vogue.
28. YourEDM Staff. (2025-03-07). "PLS&TY Makes His Dim Mak Debut with 'Leave The Light On' Featuring x.o.anne".
29. Bhanawat, Akshay. (2024-10-25). "RayRay And Dani Thorne Want To Take You To "The Afters"".
30. Bhanawat, Akshay. (2023-11-03). "Callie Reiff Tackles Tech House With "My Room"".
31. Talim, Ansh. (2025-07-03). "Bella Renee Reclaims Personal History on New EP "NOISE & THE THRILL"".
32. Bhanawat, Akshay. (2023-10-20). "shndō Releases New Single "Boomerang" Featuring Hadar Adora & Lazā".
33. Bhanawat, Akshay. (2024-07-19). "Sikdope Makes His Debut On Dim Mak With "Down With The Rhythm"".
34. Spilsbury, Jack. (2021-07-06). "Snavs drops genre-switching new track titled 'Moods': Listen".
35. Bhanawat, Akshay. (2024-10-19). "Softest Hard Soundtracks Your Late Nights With New Single "3AM"".
36. Brooks, Mia. (2025-01-18). "Dani Thorne "Lie To Me" Ushers In Hard Techno Era".
37. Sunkel, Cameron. (2024-10-04). "Vincent Recaptures the Euphoric Era of Progressive House in New Single, "Surrounded"".
38. (April 22, 2009). "Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter Does Helmet-Less DJ Set In LA". Amrit Singh.
39. (August 26, 2016). "DJ Steve Aoki's Netflix Doc Will Make You Feel Lazy As Hell".
40. (2010). "Dim Mak Tuesdays at Cinespace".
41. (July 25, 2009). "Mid-summer mischief". Colm O'Loughlin.
42. (June 28, 2010). "The 10 Best Moments of Electric Daisy Carnival". Charlie Amter.
43. (December 6, 2012). "Electric Daisy Carnival 2012: 18 Things Seen & Heard". Kerri Mason.
44. (June 5, 2012). "Five Things You're Not Allowed to Miss at Electric Daisy Carnival". Alejandra Loera.
45. (July 31, 2012). "Tomorrowland 2012: New Guetta; Swedish House Mafia done?".
46. (June 6, 2012). "DIM MAK Stage mit Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, AutoErotique uvm. beim BEATPATROL FESTIVAL 2012".
47. (October 10, 2012). "Stone Roses, Prodigy, Bloc Party In Massive Future Music Festival Line-Up".
48. (July 22, 2013). "Tomorrowland 2013: 423 artists, 15 stages, 10 moments you can't miss". Dylan Farella.
49. (December 10, 2013). "Dim Mak Artists Go Crazy at TomorrowWorld EDM Festival".
50. (September 16, 2014). "Garmiani's Dim Mak x TomorrowWorld Mix is Far Too Much Rage for a Monday".
51. (July 26, 2014). "Tomorrowland 2014 Day 1 Highlights". Matt Medved.
52. (April 29, 2015). "DIM MAK ANNOUNCES LINEUP FOR TOMORROWLAND". Michael Dix.
53. (June 2, 2016). "DIM MAK HOSTS NYC 20TH ANNIVERSARY STAGE AT ELECTRIC ZOO!".
54. (May 12, 2017). "DIM MAK ANNOUNCES TOMORROWLAND STAGE". Derek Staples.
55. (July 11, 2017). "Steve Aoki, Morten, Garmiani And Others at Sziget 2017".
56. (October 5, 2004). "Your Guide to CMJ 2004".
57. (October 10, 2004). "The Guide".
58. (April 18, 2006). "Inaugural Dim Mak Festival Slated For May 20 In LA". Paul G.
59. (March 9, 2007). "SXSW Showcase Picks".
60. (March 17, 2009). "The Pitchfork Guide to SXSW 2009". Ryan Dombal.
61. (March 15, 2012). "Dim Mak Does Miami at Mansion March 20". Kat Bein.
62. (March 13, 2013). "DIM MAK MIAMI 2013 SHOWCASE BEACH PARTY MARCH 21". Matthew Grimalda.
63. (March 8, 2013). "Dim Mak x Buygore Austin SXSW 2013 Free Showcase Announced Featuring Borgore". Raymond Flotat.
64. (April 4, 2014). "A Day In The Life Of Dim Mak During Miami Music Week".
65. (March 20, 2014). "Dance Party: a curated guide to Winter Music Conference, Miami Music Week and Ultra Music Festival 2014". Galena Mosovich.
66. (March 18, 2014). "Can't Get More Ill Than The ILLMORE". Katy Walker.
67. (March 22, 2015). "Dim Mak announces more artists for its Miami Music Week event". Janelle Sheetz.
68. (April 29, 2015). "REVOLT Specials: Dim Mak Presents SXSW".
69. (January 15, 2016). "Steve Aoki Has Big Plans for Dim Mak Records' 20th Anniversary at Miami Music Week". Ryan Pfeffer.
70. (October 27, 2016). "Steve Aoki nam Nederlandse club over met Martin Garrix en Don Diablo".
71. (February 28, 2017). "Dim Mak's Annual Miami Music Week Party Moves to Wynwood". Jose Duran.
72. (March 22, 2015). "IM MAK MIAMI 2018 RECAP VIDEO GOES LIVE".
73. (June 18, 2018). "Dim Mak Brought The Heat With Its Neighborhood Festival".
74. (February 12, 2016). "Dim Mak 20th Anniversary Miami Music Week Lineup: 3LAU, Bloody Beetroots, and More". Ryan Pfeffer.
75. (March 15, 2016). "Dim Mak celebrating 20 years; SBCR the Bloody Beetroots".
76. (April 23, 2016). "Steve Aoki & Friends Block Party Preview".
77. (June 9, 2016). "Dim Mak set to celebrate its twentieth anniversary in Chicago". Natalie Wicks.
78. "Dim Mak 20th Anniversary".
79. (June 22, 2016). "UNO Village Malta announce summer schedule".
80. (August 14, 2016). "DIM MAK 20TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY - MALLORCA EDITION".
81. (August 18, 2016). "Dim Mak 20th Anniversary Party - Barcelona Edition".
82. "Dim Mak Hosts 20th Anniversary Stage at Electric Zoo: Wild Island". Brian Bonavoglia.
83. "ELECTRIC ZOO AFTERPARTY at SPACE IBIZA NY".
84. (September 1, 2016). "STEVE AOKI CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF DIM MAK AT WET REPUBLIC".
85. (September 16, 2016). "Steve Aoki – 20ième anniversaire de DIM MAK".
86. "Dim Mak Records Celebrates 20th Anniversary In Arizona".
87. (October 27, 2016). "Steve Aoki nam Nederlandse club over met Martin Garrix en Don Diablo".
88. (October 12, 2016). "DIM MAK BRINGS 20TH ANNIVERSARY BASH TO TAMPA THIS HALLOWEEN". Meredith Connelly.
89. (November 10, 2016). "Dim Mak announces 20th Anniversary takeover in California". Caleb Lau.
90. (November 16, 2016). "Steve Aoki Comes Home to OC to Celebrate 20 Years of Dim Mak Records". Nate Jackson.
91. (December 5, 2016). "STEVE AOKI AND SPECIAL GUESTS CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF DIM MAK". Mark Fabrick.
92. (September 29, 2016). "Steve Aoki returning to Hawaii in December".
93. "Dim Mak 20th Anniversary - Oahu Edition".
94. "Dim Mak Collection".
95. (January 31, 2017). "The New York Times Dim Mak Collection: Men's Collection". [[The New York Times]].
96. (February 1, 2017). "DJ Steve Aoki Brings His Made-in-Japan Dim Mak Collection to New York Fashion Week". Nick Remsen.
97. (October 31, 2008). "Dim Mak x WeSC Headphones". Eugene Kan.
98. (July 14, 2009). "55DSL X DIM MAK X FERRINO".
99. (June 24, 2009). "Dim Mak x 55DSL x Ferrino Survival Pack". L. Ruano.
100. (October 2, 2009). "Parra x Dim Mak Collection T-Shirt". David Fisher.
101. (November 2, 2009). "Dim Mak Records To Release T-Shirt Collection".
102. (September 18, 2012). "The Dim Mak x Han Cholo 15 year championship ring".
103. (November 2, 2016). "Steve Aoki Collabs With RVCA on a Dim Mak 20th-Anniversary Fashion Line". Thomas Paterson.
104. (November 8, 2016). "STEVE AOKI & DIM MAK COLLABORATE WITH PM TENORE & RVCA".
105. (March 21, 2013). "SOL Republic Intros Steve Aoki Tracks HD Headphones". Sebastian Pop.
106. (November 18, 2016). "STEVE AOKI CELEBRATES U.S. PRE-LAUNCH OF STREETWEAR LABEL DIM MAK COLLECTION". Stephen Garner.
107. (June 16, 2017). "Converse Teams up With Dim Mak on a Well-Balanced Streetwear Lineup". Robert Patos.
108. "DMC x Cyrcle".
109. (May 26, 2017). "AN INTERVIEW WITH STEVE AOKI AND DAVID CHOE ON THEIR RECENT COLLABORATION".