DJ Daiki (Photo by Dr. Xavier Solis)
Are you the Brad Pitt of Tokyo?” “How I wish,” he deflects the inquiry with a laugh.
The question, however, is not meant to crack him up. Since a bevy of pretty young girls flew to Cebu from Japan at their own expense to grace one of his electro resort soirees last year, it must be raised now on this latest return.
DJ Daiki’s smile does melt your heart and the boyish lightheartedness is as arresting, but what the party people also seek is his original rendition of the trance beat, utilizing a traditional Japanese instrument. Since his steady stint in Octagon—ranked fifth best night club in the world — in South Korea, he has weaved history in the clubbing scene when a reported 4,000 crowd, the ultimate capacity of the space, crawled into the night.
A fully occupied stadium in Los Angeles last June was clearly a nod to his body of work, which seems to be a déjà vu in his carousel of appearances in Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and London, including a spree for Giorgio Armani.
“Police officers in Japan approached me several times because they wanted me to lower the volume, but I enjoy loud music,” he recalls a street festival in his hometown.
“For Sinulog next year, let’s see. I have only seen the video, and I only know it’s a big festival. I am excited because it’ll be my first time.”
But no matter how comicit may sound to him, Daiki Wakabayashi (to the fans, DJ Daiki), 33, is really the Brad Pitt of Asian music masterminds. If computed either by the legions of entertainment congregations he has established or the hits—produced, staged, debuted—in the airwaves, he could be the rising king of Hollywood electro-funk.
And yes, the recent heartbreak, too: Will he bury the past under the sands of our island?
On his sixth return to the Electro Beach Festival at the Ibiza Beach Club in Movenpick Hotel and Resort in Mactan on a Saturday in October, the native of Tokyo is on a serious winning streak who desires to be your neighbor, to grasp a few things Cebuano—and to fall in love all over again.
Is it true that your female fans flew in just to attend your parties or to see you?
Yes, but I doubt if it’s really because they want to see me. It is not just my music that they came for. They like Cebu because of the beaches and the white sand. They like island hopping very much. It’s something we can’t do in Tokyo.
Are you single?
Yes. My girlfriend and I broke up last June. She is a French businesswoman, but she has lived in Tokyo for more than 10 years now, maybe 19 years. She speaks fluent Japanese, so communication isn’t really a problem.
So why didn’t it work out?
I travel a lot for work, and she can’t go with me because she cannot leave her business in Tokyo. We were not able to see each other as often as we wanted to.
Did you cry?
(laughs)
Would you marry a Cebuana?
Yes, sure. I had a Cebuana girlfriend before. Many don’t know that I lived here for three months three years ago because I studied English in IT Park. Now, I’m planning to enroll again, longer training. Maybe six months would be enough. Since Japan’s economy is not good these days, I want to invest in real estate here. Hopefully next year, I’d buy a house or condominium unit.
What are you looking for in a girlfriend?
I find the Filipina very beautiful. But more importantly, I want someone who loves music, of course. That is very important—someone who understands my job and can travel with me.
What’s your favorite Filipino dish?
Sisig, and rice, of course.
How do you differentiate your kind of music from Filipino DJs?
Filipinos like to incorporate hip-hop with electro music. You know, very American—a lot of singing or rapping. I cannot sing. I cannot rap. What I do is mix electro music with koto, Japan’s national instrument, which has string pitches the player can adjust
according to the tune.
DJ Daiki (Photo by Dr. Xavier Solis)
Tell us more.
My playing style is based on EDM (electronic dance music) which is garnering attention around the world, and I was appointed resident DJ by the world’s largest record company Ministry of Sound and Hedkandi because a property of the mix skill and talent became widely known.
When did you realize you want to be a DJ?
In Tokyo, I frequented night clubs when I was 19 years old. I’d go to the DJ booth to observe. I observed how he mixed the music, how he operated them. I learned a lot by observing.
What’s your most unforgettable party since you became a professional DJ?
I can’t really remember. But my first big event that opened doors for me was in a music festival in Malaysia five years ago. It had premier companies as sponsors. The crowd did enjoy it. I think that’s the best part of the job—when I see my guests having a good time.
You’re a regular in Korea. Does it mean Koreansrespond to your music better than your fellow Japanese?
It does not mean that way. In fact, I have been to all major clubs in Tokyo. I am also active in Japan by presiding over Ministry of Sound at Air, HedKandi at Sound Museum Vision, Relation at Womb. And I have appeared in high brand and apparel party such as Armani and Topshop, which all gave me media mileage. Also, I performed at Makuhari Messe known as Japan’s largest festival.
What do you think are your best music pieces?
As a music producer and composer, I worked on the cover remix of a top artist’s song such as Swedish House Mafia, Black Eyed Peas in the name of Daiki × ZK. Their
performances are included in various compilations CD. I’ve completed a project I produced called “EDM Revolution” summarizing hit song of “Spinnin’ Records.” It already came out in Japan. “Rhythm Alive (DJ DAIKI×ZK Remix)” was released from Beatport to world as an anthem track of David Jones who won the Beatport Award remixer in January 10th 2014.
