Illumi Maeda has been confirmed as the world's youngest female club DJ. The Japanese six-year-old, who performs as DJ ILLU, earned the Guinness World Records title after playing for more than an hour at a nightclub in Yokohama in March, at the age of six years and 99 days.
At a glance
- Record: youngest female club DJ, Guinness World Records
- Age at the time: six years and 99 days
- Where: a nightclub in Yokohama, Japan
- Set length: more than one hour in front of a live audience
- Started DJing: at age three
What we know
The record attempt did not go entirely smoothly. According to an article published by Guinness World Records and cited by EDM Maniac, equipment problems left the young DJ feeling nervous. She still finished the full set in front of the crowd.
Maeda was introduced to DJing at three years old by her mother's friends, and she grew up in a home where music was always playing. She credits the late Avicii as an early inspiration and has said his music lifted her spirits and showed her how emotional dance music can be.
She still goes to school and does homework on weekdays. Looking ahead, she hopes to play festivals around the world, chase more Guinness World Records titles and one day open an ice cream shop where she can DJ. Speaking to Guinness World Records, she said that if there is a party, she wants to be there, wherever it is.
Why it matters
Guinness World Records titles have become a recurring talking point in dance music. Earlier this year, Calvin Harris set a record for the largest DJ set audience, and now a six-year-old from Japan has joined the record books from the other end of the scale.
The Avicii connection is a reminder of how long his influence has lasted. His music continues to reach new listeners, including through the Avicii Tribute Experience at Tomorrowland, and it is now inspiring DJs who were born years after his biggest hits.
Source: EDM Maniac. Photo: Jan Kopřiva on Pexels.