Brazilian DJ Alok debuts in AI and Coachella

Global DJ Alok has been doing his own thing for many years.

This year, the 33-year-old brought his iconic energy to the desert to attend the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, with scenes as incredible as the message.

Alok is not a man who shys away from the things that bring him passionate about the masses. Last year, DJ released his album The future is the ancestor – A special project with the participation of 50 indigenous musicians from Brazil, the royalties in the songs returned to the same community. In his Coachella debut, he provided information like “This is Not AI” and “Weep Art Human” paired with incredible synchronous orchestration to match beats.

Below, Brazilian DJ and Hollywood Reporter About preparing for Coachella, passing important news to his scenes and building a global fan base.

In a recent interview, you mentioned that Coachella is a big deal in Brazil in your home country. What was your reaction when you first found yourself playing here?

The first reaction was: “What can I prepare for Coachella? What should I do?” In addition, we have to accept the challenge in the Sahara (stage). This is very different from what I have done in the past because I can't use the laser and all of this. I think this is the first impression, it is a challenge to what we can do. Then I talked with my creative director Fabio (Soares), who came up with the idea, and then, to be honest, we didn't have much time to do it, but we did a lot of work on it and it was actually going well.

When you find out, who do you tell who it is?

My creative director. Because the problem is…when I called him, I was like, “We have confirmed with Coachella” and “What should we do?” ((laugh).

How do you think of your music being associated with those who are not familiar with music?

As a producer, I have been living in cycles and becoming a very free spirit. However, I always have my iconic identity, Brazilian bass, a genre I created in 2012. Now, it's super effective again. Everyone is doing those bass (heavy) songs, so I feel like the impression of people in Coachella today is actually something we are working on for the future.

What are your thoughts in the show when you see the crowd in front of you from last week or today?

First, I really realized half an hour later I was in Coachella and when I looked left, I saw the hills, everyone sitting on my right, was the Ferris wheel. At that moment, I realized that I was really in Coachella because that was what you envisioned. This is my debut, I've never been here before. The crowd was so crowded that at that moment, I felt so happy. I'm lucky I'm playing Coachella and everyone is there. I am very happy and grateful. Also, not only the artist, but I also like the attendees. I just walked around. ((laugh)

Can you watch any set while you're here?

Yesterday, I saw Lady Gaga, (The) Prodigy, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso (and) Lisa. I mean, Lady Gaga is shocking, like “What is that?” is crazy. I've never seen anything like this before. Lisa is also amazing structure and everything. For me, genius is something else because I have been a very, very loyal fan of them since the beginning of my career. They were one of my biggest inspirations, so it was a privilege to have the opportunity to see them so intimate.

Do you have the opportunity to interact with them?

No, no. ((laugh). 15 years ago or more, I made a pirated version of (the prodigy's song) “Smack My Bitch Up,” which changed my career. I'm very grateful to them.

You mentioned that you don't have the usual laser. What other ways have you done when preparing your Coachella suit compared to other combinations you have done?

Honestly, this is a completely new concept that no one has ever done before. That's the integration of dancers, music, visual effects – we have a lot to show. From day one, it was a challenge. Everything is super new, but it's the process we're learning.

What is the collaborative process of urban theory? You have some conversations with a creative director.

Fabio is my creative director, who gets connected with urban theory and then (they) develop the performance together. We have this concept. I think the most beautiful part of the process is that they really want to achieve this, even if we have such a short time to solve it. This is a collective dream. With this energy, nothing is possible. By the way, the six dancers of Makeup City Theory – they didn't even join the show because they were coordinating.

What have you been your favorite reaction to your performance so far?

One phrase I saw – “There is Alok going on.” ((laugh). It's funny because when I first released the rehearsal, people were like, “This is AI, it's impossible.” “How is this possible?” At that moment, I realized that people already had a mindset that humans can't do these things. I think the comment I like is saying, “Wow, I can’t believe what I’m looking at” and there are real humans doing that. It's like “I can't believe it. Only when I see it, but I see it, I still can't believe it.” I think that's our biggest feedback. Also, the message behind it is: “Keep the artwork.” I think it is embraced by the art world.

This is an important message, it is so big that you stand on it. But if you do anything with AI, am I curious?

certainly. Absolutely.

What do you use it to do?

Absolutely. AI is one of the most amazing tools I have today. It gave me a good workflow and very good dynamics. But once art is created, the soul is needed. Because art is a way of self-expression that can make people think. You can raise awareness through art, and you just can't copy it with code.

What’s your next step in the U.S. after Coachella, whether it’s continuing to build your large audience or your goals?

What we did on Coachella – I would say this is from now on. The concept is “this is not AI”, this is the trip we are going to do. Not only in the United States, but globally. We just started it here and from there we will continue to do that. We have a lot to show. I'm going to start the tour, so if people can't come here to watch the show in person, we're going to keep scrolling. We've been developing it. This is just the beginning.

As for Alok on stage, Alok is off the stage, can you take us through these two identities? Or are they fusing together?

They are absolutely integrated. My career only makes sense if it is purposeful. This is who I am when you see me there. No filter. It's always me.