DT: MARCH 31, 2015
FR: ALEXANDRA GREENBERG/ ANGELA VILLANUEVA MSO PR
MTV LATIN AMERICA PRESENTED
STEVE AOKI WITH AN MTV CHIUKU AWARD
AT THIS YEAR’S 30th ANNUAL IDMAs
DURING WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE
STEVE AOKI IS RECOGNIZED FOR EMPLOYING HIS GLOBAL INFLUENCE AND HIS
MONUMENTAL CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES AROUND THE WORLD TO TAKE A
PROACTIVE STANCE IN SOCIAL AND HUMANITARIAN ISSUES
Tweet it: “World renowned DJ/Producer @steveaoki is recognized with #MTVChiuku award for
philanthropic impact at this year’s 30th annual #IDMA @WMCtweets”
MTV Latin America has recognized one of the biggest names in music – DJ, producer and fashion executive, STEVE AOKI, with the prestigious MTV Chiuku award for his humanitarian work throughout his career trajectory benefiting numerous foundations year-round. AOKI has used his global influence, his touring events, memorabilia auctions, contests and partnerships with similar artists to raise funds and awareness for organizations dealing with medical research and humanitarian relief.
As part of MTV’s Agents of Change initiative, MTV created the “Chiuku” accolade to recognize celebrities who use their influence to contribute and develop special projects that bring social change to the world. The MTV Chiuku award was presented to AOKI this past Thursday, March 26 during the 30th annual International Dance Music Awards (IDMAs) in Miami Beach. Mario Cader-Frech, VP of Public Affairs and Corporate Responsibility for MTV Latin America, presented the award.
“I am proud and humbled to be receiving the Chiuku award for humanitarian work. As a DJ I`ve learned that given the influence that we have on culture it is important to give back and be educators,” said AOKI. “We have the privilege to share information and build awareness for people that don’t have the same opportunities. That’s why I created the Steve Aoki Charitable Fund, to provide the awareness, the funding and to educate people about those that are less fortunate than us. I encourage everyone to do the same in their own lives.”
Most recently, AOKI was named Ambassador to Best Buddies International, a non-profit organization dedicated to support young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Recently, MTV and AOKI brought on stage “Big Money,” a young rapper with IDD along with Anthony Kennedy Shriver, founder of BBI.
STEVE AOKI is aware of the immediate humanitarian labor needed in this day and age and the essential medical research crucial to help alleviate crises around the world. In 2014, Steve Aoki’s Charitable Fund raised $65,000 from Aokify America Tour, with all proceeds going to four health and research organizations. With every ticket bought for AOKI’s show, a dollar was donated to the Brain Preservation Foundation, University of Rochester Medical Center’s Memory Care Program, American Brain Foundation, and Infusio. AOKI is no stranger to using his DJ power for good because in 2013, AOKI raised over $10,000 of fan contributions for Typhoon Haiyan victims through his Birthday for Relief partnership with Music for Relief in addition to a $36,000 personal donation.
Some of the previous high-profile personalities who have been awarded with a MTV Chiuku in recognition of their humanitarian work include: Shakira, Juanes, Kelly Rowland, Avicii, Paul Van Dyk, Nelly Furtado, Eva Longoria, Snoop Dogg, Fonseca, Morrissey, Fran Drescher, Calle 13, Kelly Osbourne, 50 Cent, Paulina Rubio, David Guetta, Kudai, Juan Pablo Montoya (Formula 1), Wyclef Jean, Fall Out Boy, Backstreet Boys, amongst others.
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About MTV Agents of Change
Since 2005, Agents of Change was introduced to enable young adults to bring innovative ideas into action in their communities and create a positive place to live in. This initiative helps give young people an open setting for them to share their stories and experiences on how they are making a difference. Agents of Change also helps to promote the involvement of these proactive young adults and the multiple issues they are challenged with. Education, employment, the environment and health issues are just a few of the developing topics that our Agents of Change focus their hard work and dedication on.
For more information: http://agentesdecambio.mtvla.com/
About Viacom International Media Networks, The Americas
Viacom International Media Networks The Americas, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), owns and operates the company’s portfolio of entertainment brands, which include MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1 and their respective properties in Latin America (including Brazil). Additionally, the portfolio includes Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más in the US, which targets a broad US Hispanic audience, and VIMN’s programming partnerships in Canada with Corus Entertainment for Nickelodeon and CTV Globe Media for MTV, Comedy Central and Vh1. The company’s emerging multiplatform businesses include MTVNHD and Red Viacom in Latin America as well as VH1HD in Brazil. VIMN in Latin America, US Hispanic and Canada also serve the growing number of digitally connected millennials via its websites: mtvla.com, mtv.com.br, mundonick.com, comedycentral.la, comedycentral.com.br, vh1la.com, vh1Brazil.com.br, tr3s.com, mtv.ca and nickcanada.com as well as through its broadband and community sites: mtvrevolution.com, mundonick.com/nickturbo, , mtvmusica.com, neopets.com and mtvdemo.com.
About STEVE AOKI
STEVE AOKI is a Grammy-nominated international producer/DJ, electronic dance music entrepreneur, and founder of the trendsetting record label, events/lifestyle company, and apparel line Dim Mak. Since launching in 1996, Dim Mak has broken bands such as Bloc Party, The Bloody Beetroots, Klaxons, and The Gossip through deftly marketed single and full-length releases and now has nearly 500 releases to date. As a solo artist, AOKI has become a force of nature averaging over 250 tour dates per year. AOKI’s second artist album NEON FUTURE I, was released September 30, 2014 via Dim Mak/Ultra Music and features his Gold certified single “Delirious (Boneless)” with Chris Lake and Tujamo featuring Kid Ink, “Born To Get Wild” featuring will.i.am and “Rage The Night Away” featuring Waka Flocka Flame. The second part of his Neon Future album NEON FUTURE II will be released May 12 and is an all-star extravaganza from one of dance music’s most heralded entertainers. It features collaborations with Linkin Park, Snoop Lion, Mathew Koma, NERVO and more.
Listen to Steve Aoki featuring Moxie’s “I Love It When You Cry” from Neon Future II at: https://soundcloud.com/steveaoki/steve-aoki-moxie-i-love-it-when-you-cry-moxoki
For more information on the Steve Aoki Charitable Fund, go to SteveAokiFund.com.
For more information on STEVE AOKI,visit:
www.steveaoki.com
www.dimmakrecs.com
www.facebook.com/Steve.Aoki
www.twitter.com/steveaoki
www.instagram/steveaoki
www.ultramusic.com
MSO PR Press Releases & Assets:
www.msopr.com/n/client-roster/steve-aoki1/
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For more information on STEVE AOKI, contact:
MSO PR 818.380.0400
Alexandra Greenberg, x223 agreenberg@msopr.com
Angela Villanueva, x232 avillanueva@msopr.com