Koji Aiken: “Drum & Bass is Raw, Real, and Full of Energy That Hits Straight to the Soul”

Koji Aiken swung by to share his thoughts on the current state of drum and bass and where it’s heading, while also dropping off a mix that’s filled to the brim with energy.

The North American drum and bass scene has been bursting at the seams with talented artists who champion the genre. One of those artists is Koji Aiken, a Japanese-Canadian DJ and producer who got his start as a content creator who wanted to spread the word about the genre he had developed a passion for. Flash forward years later, and Koji Aiken has dropped tunes on labels like High Tea Music, Pure Filth Records, TH3RD BRAIN, and Divergence Music.

Koji Aiken didn’t stop with phenomenal releases, either. He’s taken the stage at festivals like Electric Love and Altitude Festival, while heading down to Los Angeles to perform at Exchange LA for his US debut. And to further champion the drum and bass sounds, he founded KUMO, a promo group that pushes bass music culture on the Canadian West Coast. Luckily for us, he had some time to sit down for a chat that dives into his project and his passion for DnB.

Drum and bass is where I feel most myself. It’s raw, real, and full of energy that hits straight to the soul. The community is pure love, people who show up because they care, not because they have to. It’s freedom, connection, and passion all in one. No egos, no judgment, just music, movement, and family.
Koji Aiken

The resurgence of drum and bass in North America has continued to press on, and to Koji Aiken, there are a few key reasons for its recent success. The first being social media, as the rise of TikTok and new creators pushing that sound to new audiences sparked a fire. ” I’ve personally seen that energy firsthand, featuring tons of DnB tracks on my socials and getting an incredible response,” he shared.

“Another major factor is the creativity and technical skill of modern DnB producers,” Aiken continued. “Artists today are not only making incredible music but also using social media to showcase their personalities through clever edits, remixes, and content that makes the genre more approachable and fun.” Beyond social media and creativity, the fast-paced breaks that define much of the genre also speak to many who have fallen in love with it worldwide.

I think the fast-paced nature of drum and bass fits perfectly with today’s world. With shorter attention spans and a constant need for stimulation, DnB naturally hits that craving. It’s high energy, emotional, and keeps people locked in from the first drop.
Koji Aiken

Looking toward the future, Koji Aiken painted a positive picture for drum and bass in the coming years, although he kept his thoughts grounded. “I think we will continue to see the genre grow, especially as more major artists continue to include it in their sets,” he shared. “I’ve seen house music artists play drum and bass tunes as well. I think the community will continue to grow and the support/community around the music will increase, but it’s not going to see a massive resurgence like we did in the past few years for a little while, unless there’s some crazy virality or something.”

Much akin to many others within the drum and bass realm, Koji Aiken has fully embraced its sounds and plans to continue on his path that’s driven by passion. “I think I’ve really found myself in the scene, and I want to continue to create spaces for people to both discover the genre and share their passion for the music,” he said. “I don’t really care too much about making the music global or crazy popular, ’cause it was never about that. It was always about the passion behind the music and sharing that passion with other people.”

I think as long as that ethos gets upheld, drum and bass will always remain a very special community. The thing that really draws people to the music and community is the passion, and I don’t think that will ever go away.
Koji Aiken

When it comes to locking his ears onto other producers in the drum and bass realm, Koji Aiken has a solid blend of icons and rising phenoms in the scene. Kanine, Hedex, Bou, Sub Focus, Camo & Krooked, Pola & Bryson, Simula, Grafix, and Culture Shock were some of the names he dropped, while continuing on to list the likes of The Caracal Project, Bensley, Justin Hawkes, Reaper, Blooom, and Pirapus. A handful of these artists appear in the mix that Koji Aiken spun for our Drum & Bass Devotions series, alongside a hearty helping of his own tunes.

“The mix I made for you today is a combination of some of my originals, some of the unreleased tunes I’ve been working on, and some of my favourite tracks to play out right now,” Aiken shared. “I really wanted to try and capture all sides of my artist journey from the producer, curator, and DJ side of things.”

Each transition and track choice tells part of my story. The highs, the grit, the emotion. It’s a reflection of where I’m at creatively right now and where I see my sound heading next. I also wanted to use this mix to showcase the kind of sound I’m pushing. Energetic, emotional, and rooted in the underground bass culture that shaped me.
Koji Aiken

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