Brain health advocate, GRAMMY Award-nominated music producer and DJ Steve Aoki has worked with some of the biggest international names in music, spanning across genres — from Sting, Linkin Park, Snoop Dogg, Maluma and BTS. Aoki is known for his energetic live performances in the electro house music genre and is one of dance music’s most followed and recognizable talented artists.  

In 2012, Aoki founded the Aoki Foundation, with the goal of increasing awareness around the importance of brain health and to one day, see a world where degenerative brain diseases no longer exist. 

This April, in honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is partnering with the Aoki Foundation on a shared mission to expand awareness on the everyday actions each of us can take, whether you live with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or not, to boost brain health. From diet and exercise to social connection, research is piecing together the puzzle of how to best care for your brain, how to prevent disease and, if disease does arise, how to best treat it. 

Utilizing his musical talents and passion for brain science, Steve Aoki curated an exclusive Spotify playlist titled, “Steve Aoki’s Bangers to Boost Better Brain Health,” to amplify and empower the community on their journey toward caring for our brains.  

The upbeat playlist, which features a series of remixes and motivating melodies, will be shared with thousands of people and families at MJFF’s Parkinson’s Unity Walk in Central Park on Saturday, April 26.  

“The importance of overall brain health cannot be understated when it comes to the future of wellness, whether or not you or your family have been impacted by brain disease,” said Steve Aoki, DJ/Record Producer and founder of The Aoki Foundation. “Partnering with The Michael J. Fox Foundation gives us the unique opportunity to merge our passion and purpose on longevity and brain health. We hope this playlist provides everyone, no matter your age or whether you live with disease, a source of empowerment to keep moving.” 

Research has shown that music can have a positive impact on Parkinson’s disease as it activates multiple areas of the brain and is believed to help preserve and even enhance cognitive function. Speaking with Dr. Rachel Dolhun, MJFF’s principal medical advisor, in the interview, “Ask the MD: Music Therapy and Parkinson’s,” Kerry Devlin, MMT, LPMT, MT-BC, senior music therapist at Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, shares that listening to music can make a difference in Parkinson’s disease symptoms ranging from motor symptoms, to speech and voice, and even psychosocial (thought and behavior) symptoms.  

In the blog, Devlin says, “My prescription for everyone is to sing along (loudly) to one song each day. It can be any song anywhere. Make playlists that help you feel calm or energized. Or use music to ground yourself and be mindful. In the hustle and bustle of managing medical care, going to appointments and more, we can forget to stop and focus on ourselves.”  

Community members are welcome to join MJFF at the 2025 Parkinson’s Unity Walk and sing along to Steve Aoki’s “Bangers to Boost Better Brain Health” playlist. Or listen along while lacing up from home or anywhere on-the-go on Spotify here. Visit us at michaeljfox.or/pam for more ways to get involved this month and beyond.