He's more than a DJ — a spontaneous jet-setter and name in the gossip columns, he spins, designs clothing and single-handedly created the indie record label Dim Mak. Steve Aoki, aka Kid Millionaire, makes no secret of his family lineage — his dad, Rocky Aoki, founded Benihana — but he's created his own destiny.

Among his most notable musical accomplishments, on top of his club-night draw: breaking it-band Bloc Party internationally, and importing the sensational Sri Lankan artist M.I.A. to the U.S. for American gigs. And in January, Billboard blew him up after he was recognized at the Ibiza DJ Awards, reporting that crowds were swinging from the ceiling last summer to his "teched-out rock."

The bicoastal DJ made headlines last week at his post-Coachella gig when BFF Paris Hilton showed up. He hangs with celebrities like Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, yet still gets respect from fellow DJs and producers. After a pit stop in Honolulu tonight, he's off to Asia.

He stands out in a room. His bright clothing and long hair make him a walking fashion statement. And his eclectic taste in music and ability to mash up rock and hip-hop make him an untouchable DJ. Tonight at Chinatown club NextDoor, Aoki says, he'll bring music most Islanders haven't ever heard — yet.

Aoki, who's billed as "Super Star DJ Steve Aoki" at tonight's show, answered some questions:

Q. What kind of music were you into as a kid?

A. First thing that got me excited about music was this group that made me start to like homework. ... I just wanted to play with my GI Joes and build my fort with my boys, but this group made me want to write. I'd write all their lyrics out, I'd remember them and sing them to the mirror. It was Eazy-E's first album, "Eazy Does It"; then I discovered NWA. There was the fascination with L.A., even though I was completely sheltered in my suburban world.

Q. Dim Mak is named in tribute to Bruce Lee; but what musicians really influenced you?

A. The first mix tape I ever heard, when I was 13, Gorilla Biscuits introduced me to the straight-edge hard-core community. My entire life is devoted to that little subculture. I started my label basically because of that part of my life. Everything I do comes back to that mix tape. It was an impressionable period of time.

Q. So, you've been working with European pop artists like Bloc Party. How is that going?

A. We just signed The Bloody Beat Roots. To me, they are the next level of producers. ... Mastercraft is the electros' answer to the Neptunes. Ship Disco from London is an amazing band.

Q. Would you consider your mixes a new genre, or what would you call your sound?

A. It's kind of an evolution of what electronic music is. A new adaptation, a fusion of rock and electronic music. It's got a very live feel; it's very performance-based. (Aoki called it a mash-up of "ghetto house" — spare, smart indie dance music — and rock.)

Q. Where do you get your fashion inspiration?

A. I've literally traveled everywhere — all over Asia, America, Canada, Europe, South America, Mexico — and I take from everything. It's not necessarily the shopping that defines my lifestyle, it's just what looks good on people. There are some traditional cultural references that look good on people not just as a fashion statement. ... Being around different designers like Hiroshi Fujiwara — I became friends with him a couple of years ago.

Q. You started your own clothing company with Dim Mak, how is that going?

A. My sister Devon (Devon Aoki, an internationally known model) designs for the line too. I really like the Supra shoes, they're great. They've got straps on them. The Dim Mak tees are great looking too. ... Fashion is a fun little world; you have to be quick on your feet. It's always adapting, like an amoeba that keeps changing.

Lacy Matsumoto is a freelance writer on music and fashion in Hawai'i.