Believe it or not, there is a select group of top DJs who are actually martial arts experts when they aren’t rocking the mainstage. These guys trade their USBs for kimonos and use the intense discipline of combat sports to survive the madness of global touring.
Ready to see which of your favorite EDM producers has the skills to knock you out in seconds? Scroll down to discover who is packing more than just heavy bass in their arsenal.
1. Laidback Luke: The Kung Fu World Champion
Laidback Luke is pretty much the final boss of DJs who are also martial arts experts. Born Lucas van Scheppingen, the Dutch legend has been practicing Choy Li Fut Kung Fu since he was a kid, and he’s legit world-class.
Back in 2013, he competed at the World Championship of Kung Fu in Hong Kong and walked away with four gold medals. He even went back in 2017 to snag three more.
For Luke, Kung Fu isn’t just a hobby; it’s the secret sauce that gives him the stamina to kill it during those high-energy festival sets.
2. Hardwell: Judo Roots and Heavy Hitting
International superstar Hardwell has been vocal about his judo background long before his DJ career blew up. He’s gone on record with Time Out Worldwide, saying judo was his first real love and a major passion growing up.
Even though he’s busy headlining the biggest stages on Earth, he still works combat sports and boxing into his fitness routine to stay in peak shape. That early dojo discipline definitely helped him stay focused enough to become a two-time #1 DJ in the world.
3. Steve Aoki: Jiu-Jitsu Enthusiast Inspired by Bruce Lee
While Steve Aoki isn’t technically a ranked martial-arts expert, his connection to the fight world is the real deal. He’s obsessed with Bruce Lee so much so that he named his label Dim Mak after the legendary “Death Touch” strike.
Lately, he’s been getting his hands dirty with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons from UFC’s Diego Lopes and Muay Thai at AKA Thailand.
Aoki is so deep into that lifestyle that if you were looking for the perfect jiu jitsu gifts for him, a BJJ hat or a high-quality hoodie would definitely beat a bottle of champagne.
Plus, if you’re into jiu jitsu merch that lets you rep that same “always-on” warrior energy from the studio to the gym, Aoki is living proof that you don’t have to be a pro fighter to embrace the lifestyle.
Hi, I’m Erick Ycaza — a music blogger with a BA in Advertising & Graphic Design. I created this blog to keep you updated with daily music news. Surprisingly, I’ve been writing about music since 2007. If you’re an artist and would like to be featured, feel free to reach out: info@electrowow.net
