Steve Aoki, recently voted America's Best DJ, is turning up for animal rights. The world renowned beat-dropper, raft-rider and cake-thrower has collaborated with countless other A-list artists over the years, but now he's taking genre-bending collaboration to the next level as he teams up with both the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Humane Society International (HSI) on an ad campaign to save endangered rhinos.
In a recent interview with HSUS's All Animals magazine, the philanthropic DJ discusses being simultaneously inspired by animal rights issues and punk rock as a teenager. Decades later, he's speaking out about rhinoceros poaching.
"Once you read the statistics on how rhinos have systematically been killed for their horns for years, nearing the point of extinction, you cannot just sit there and turn your head. We as a species have done enough damage to the planet, to the animal kingdom, that it's imperative for us to take a stand, raise awareness on these issues, do whatever we can to stop poachers." The horns, he explains, have no medicinal value whatsoever; in other words, there is absolutely no reason to kill rhinos.
While the connection between music and advocacy is a given for most music-lovers, Aoki's response to the HSUS's question about using music as a platform for speaking out on these issues bears repeating:
"Music is the best conduit to your consciousness. It breathes energy, life and influence by speaking to your emotions with no bias, no judgment. It's about being connected to something that connects other people. As my music is about expression, I can't help but express personal feelings on issues that affect me, like poaching rhinos and hunting elephants for their tusks."
The campaign is called "Don't Buy Wild" and involves a pledge to boycott items made with or from wild animal parts.
Next year marks Aoki's 20th anniversary as DJ/producer and 10th anniversary as the force behind Dim Mak records (known for promoting artists like The Bloody Beetroots, Bloc Party, MSTRKRFT, Datsik and countless others), yet he's certainly not resting on any of his career's many laurels anytime soon. After making an impact as both musician and label owner, it only makes sense that he's now taking on philanthropic projects. In addition to teaming up with the HSUS and HSI, he recently started the Steve Aoki Charitable Fund.
To get into the rhino-saving spirit, watch the video for Aoki's recent collaboration with Headhunterz, "The Power of Now," below.
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