Ten years ago this month, Japanese DJ Yousuke Yukimatsu faced a life-altering moment when he experienced an epileptic seizure that led to the discovery of a brain tumor. His absence from a scheduled festival booking prompted concerned organizers to reach out to his friends in Osaka, who found him collapsed at home. Rushed to the hospital, Yukimatsu learned he had a brain tumor, a shocking diagnosis that could have ended his life had no one reached out to him. Months later, he launched a crowdfunding campaign, reflecting on how crucial that intervention was: “If no one had contacted me, I might have died.”
Accompanying the crowdfunder was a poignant black-and-white photograph capturing Yukimatsu’s resilience. He leans forward, revealing a rugged scar that tells the tale of his two craniotomies and extensive chemotherapy and radiation treatment. This harrowing experience catalyzed a powerful realization for him: the need to fully commit to his passion for DJing and to use his platform to inspire change. Yukimatsu now expresses a desire to uplift others through his work. “If we can keep living [for] tomorrow, if I can encourage people … that’s what I’m always trying to do,” he shares. In a world where violence seems to pervade daily headlines, Yukimatsu recognizes the importance of using his voice, especially as an artist. “In Japan, if a musician speaks about politics, they can be hugely criticised. But I think it’s really important to speak up.”
Currently, Yukimatsu is on a world tour, with upcoming performances in Dublin and Barcelona, and he’s slated to support the Prodigy at their massive open-air gigs in the UK later this summer. At 47, he has earned the title of “your favorite DJ’s favorite DJ.” His legendary Boiler Room set in November 2024, which has garnered nearly 20 million views, is a testament to his exceptional skill. During performances, Yukimatsu embodies raw energy, captivating the audience as though he’s controlling them with invisible strings, before unleashing powerful drops that take them on an emotional ride.
“That’s a good comparison!” Yukimatsu laughs when I mention this metaphor. “I like very strong sounds and very emotional melodies. I want people to feel hope from my sets; I want to bring something like light into what I do.” His music is anything but conventional. At Coachella, he transitioned from the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” to Metrist’s experimental techno, and from Taylor Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down” to Aphex Twin’s fierce gabber track “Come to Daddy,” all in just the first ten minutes of his set. “Coachella was amazing. I only had an hour, so I really had to cram everything in,” he explains. He believes in mixing genres, stating, “It doesn’t matter what it is: if it’s good music, it’s good.”
Yukimatsu’s journey began in the east side of Osaka. His father’s passion for music—selling records from their garage—had an early influence on him. While he was initially uninterested, certain melodies from classic rock tracks like Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” and Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” stuck with him. Over time, he started exploring various genres, beginning with metal and rock before discovering electronic music, with Underworld and The Prodigy being pivotal influences. Although he had aspirations of being in a band in high school, he transitioned to DJing in the mid-2000s and soon got his big break when techno veteran DJ Nobu invited him to perform at Tokyo’s Future Terror night.
On stage, Yukimatsu’s athleticism shines through as he delivers electrifying, shirtless performances—its roots trace back to his competitive swimming days and manual labor experiences. The encounter with cancer reinforced his philosophical outlook on life and made him more determined to improve both as a DJ and as a person. Having recently received the news that he is now cancer-free, he reflects on his experience: “I went for a medical checkup at the beginning of the year, and there is no longer a tumor.” He remarks that the illness provided him with a unique opportunity to dive deeper into music, ultimately enhancing his craft.
Yukimatsu stays actively engaged with his craft, frequently browsing music marketplace Bandcamp for fresh sounds tailored to each country he visits. Ahead of his Italian tour dates, he explored local music, unearthing releases from artists like Adiel and Danza Tribale. He also revisited classic tracks, including Fatboy Slim’s “Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars,” considering including “Drop the Hate” as a permanent part of his sets. His commitment to promoting peace is evident in the “no war” pendant he wears around his neck, a symbol of his belief in fostering understanding amid ongoing global conflict. “Treat Each Other Right” by Jamie xx encapsulates a message he believes everyone should carry in their hearts.
What fuels Yukimatsu’s passion? His unwavering quest for personal growth drives him. “I want to be a better DJ and a better human being. Every day I think that. And if I start to forget it, someone always reminds me. It’s a constant growing process, until the day I die.”
