DJ KEOKI
Every era produces a key performer who, by the sheer force of their talent and personality, push a new art form into mass acceptance. In the increasingly influential realm of electronic dance music, DJ Keoki is that performer. DJ Keoki's origins date back to the 80s and reads like a rock star's memoir, complete with rapid rise to prominence around the world, a fall from grace and inward introspection that lead DJ Keoki to reinvent himself by leaving the Hollywood drama in a Beverly Hills hotel. What Keoki possesses that others lacked is an anarchistic flamboyance coupled with a showmanship that accompanies sublime musical creativity.
Keoki Franconi (better known as DJ Keoki), moved to Hawaii from El Salvador, then Colorado, NY, LA, FL and he even lived in Germany at one point. When Keoki arrived with 40 records, a bag full of clothes, and $200 in his pocket . . . he had no clue he would become a pivotal figure of a massively groundbreaking social movement, taking the globe by storm. Keoki foreshadowed this when he earned both "Best Techno DJ of the Year" award & International Dance Music's "Best Breakthrough DJ" award.
Keoki was able to accomplish this by landing a job with TWA in NY after attending flight school in California. That afforded Keoki opportunities to travel the world free. The club that DJ Keoki started going to in NY was after-hours called "Save the Robots." While moonlighting at a hot Manhattan nightclub however, the door to life changing events opened. One could argue those events may have potentially redirected the entertainment industry in several key areas like art, fashion, and music just to name a few. The door that opened was at Area Nightclub and guaranteed DJ Keoki a golden opportunity. After consistently following up, one night the club manager told DJ Keoki . . . "play whatever the f**k you want, so long as they stay." That is advice DJ Keoki continues to live by.
By the late 90s, underground dance music swelled to a critical mass, thrusting DJ Keoki into the Limelight literally, as well as figuratively. DJ Keoki's influential status ignited both the east and west coasts of America. Between record breaking sales of over 2.5 million early on, sold out shows, meeting fans from several countries, film and studio recording, in addition to requests for DJ Keoki to perform at private soirées hosted by socialites like Debbie Harry, Lou Reed, The B-52s, RuPaul, Perry Farrell and more, DJ Keoki was destined to be loved or loathed.
DJ Keoki began crafting his own original material. DJ Keoki invested in acting and vocal lessons in LA. When he was teamed up with Grammy winning producer Dave Audé, they proceeded to create hit after hit via the first American electronic music label, Moonshine Music. After Moonshine, DJ Keoki signed to Cleopatra Records sub-label called Hypnotic records dedicated to EDM. Hypnotic delivered 3 LPs under the genre of ELECTRO CLASH titled "KeokiClash," "Kill the DJ," and "The Great Soundclash Swindle."
Keoki graced magazine covers like Project X, URB, Rolling Stone, and MixMag. He gained placement in global Dance Charts like Billboard, BeatPort, and iTunes. DJ Keoki's compositions appear on tv programs by MTV (Road Rules), VH1 (Making the Video), NFL on Fox, and in the film industry via castings like Better Living Through Circuitry and Scum Bag by independent filmmaker Mars Roberge.
DJ Keoki has toured major shows like Ultra, Winter Music Conference, EDC, Lollapalooza, Moonshine Over America, and Southern Decadence. He has been top bill in headlining venues like The Viper (LA), Shag in Denver, Tantra in Tampa, VIA Afterhours in Houston, Amazura Concert Hall in Queens, Hard Rock Cafe in Fort Lauderdale, Level II in Scranton, Firestone Orlando, Centered Hawaii, ORA in Seattle, Simon's in FL and The Lizard Lounge in Dallas just to name a few. DJ Keoki continues to tour and is happy to make a stop in your area.
DJ Keoki established himself as a "Superstar" DJ by being the first DJ in America to be flown from city to city, club to club, country to country. As DJ Keoki traveled overseas to the Love Parade in Berlin and then Moscow's Gaudi Fest, he witnessed what was being done with emerging genres like House and Techno. Powerhouse artists like Carl Cox, Sven Väth, Bjork, and Goldie were all part of the European arm in this sonic cultural evolution. It took DJ Keoki telling people in the American industry (such as talent buyers, promoters, record store and venue owners), about these amazingly talented colleagues, in order to bring those European Artists to the USA.
Some of the early innovations in dance music are a direct result of DJ Keoki and the New York Club Kids. DJ Keoki is responsible for more than just recommending new found fellow foreign performers to bring to events. The relationship DJ Keoki and Screamin Rachael have for example , was honed over decades via their shared love of music. Rachael would hand select hits from Trax Records' talent to feed DJ Keoki via his record crates. Often times, the mere fact he was the driving force behind the decks would be enough to make seasoned veterans of the dance floor go crate digging for those fresh cuts!
Once people scooped up the latest release, those grooves would grace platters and rip needles all over the world, causing a rise in sales resulting in demand for Trax Records' Artists to be booked. DJ Keoki has over 9 million frequent flier miles under his wings and over 2.5 million units sold. You will not need Red Bull when jacked stacks bump Trax wax.
Recently DJ Keoki made his way back into the recording studio. The LGBTQ Pride inspired single, 'I Am' with Decoding Jesus of Let's Beat Milo Records is a direct response to the Florida "Don't Say Gay" bill. 'Talking to Yourself,' attained #1 on iTunes US House Albums chart. 'ONO, It's The End Of The World' featuring Brothers Of Funk, went on to reach #9 on Beatport's Latest Release chart as well as #7 on Beatport's Classic Electro and Modern Detroit charts. Early works like DJ Keoki's dance inspired 'Caterpillar', recently hit #4 on the Electronic Album chart in the UK for iTunes.
Additionally, DJ Keoki has an upcoming, limited edition vinyl release titled, 'The Way We Used To.' It features vocals by Breeze. Chicago House music label Trax Records, has also published 'Kaleidoscope' last month after the pandemic placed a hold on distribution. This much anticipated drop was celebrated recently at SideQuest during Miami Music Week. With DJ Keoki as the newest recording artist and Screamin Rachael (not JUST an artist), as Trax Records' President, these OG dance floor taste makers are once again showing the world what happens when you leave the past behind and others red with envy.
Partnerships: BikerDope.com, InEarz Audio, and Earaser.
For booking info or press inquiries:
+001 463.249.6987
1389 W. 86th St., #210
Indianapolis, IN 46260
USA
