At 4, a Japanese girl became fascinated by female DJs on YouTube. By 6, she was performing to packed crowds with a Guinness World Record

At an age when most children are still discovering their favourite cartoons and games, DJ RINOKA was already learning how to control a DJ deck. The young performer from Tokyo, Japan, made history at just 6 years and 155 days old when she completed her first solo club DJ performance, earning a Guinness World Records title as the world's youngest female club DJ.

Now 9, DJ RINOKA has continued performing for audiences much older than her, while also managing school and the usual interests of a child.

How DJ RINOKA got into DJing

According to Guinness World Records, DJ RINOKA first became interested in DJing when she was 4. She came across videos of female DJs Amelie Lens and Nina Kraviz on YouTube and was impressed enough to want to try it herself.


She eventually got the Pioneer DDJ-200 DJ controller she had been asking Santa for and began learning the basics at 5. Her preparation involved finding songs she liked, putting together set lists and practising how to connect the tracks.

That turned out to be much harder than it looked. She said connecting songs was difficult and that she used professional equipment while preparing for her performances.

Her record-breaking performance came at 6

On July 9, 2023, DJ RINOKA took the stage for her first solo DJ performance in Tokyo. She was 6 years and 155 days old at the time and played for more than an hour in front of a packed dancefloor.

The performance earned her the Guinness World Records title of youngest female club DJ.

Her record-breaking journey did not stop there. On January 21, 2024, at 6 years and 351 days old, she performed at Neon Oasis ’24 in Taipei City, Taiwan. That appearance made her the youngest female DJ to perform at a music festival.

Her biggest ambition is to eventually tour and perform at music festivals around the world.

DJ RINOKA still has a very normal childhood

Despite her unusual career, DJ RINOKA's life outside music remains fairly typical for a child. She attends school, takes hip-hop and jazz dance lessons, plays the keyboard, sketches and enjoys skateboarding.

She also has a pet gecko and a collection of stuffed animals, including a toy dog called Korochan that often goes with her to performances. Her parents have chosen not to make her surname public and have asked to remain anonymous so she can have as normal a childhood as possible.

Speaking to The Associated Press, DJ RINOKA said, “It’s fun when people get excited at the live performances.”

She also described the kind of music she likes, saying, “I like a cool, fast, intense style.”

Her performances have taken her beyond clubs as well. She has appeared alongside older DJs at events and has even performed at games involving Japan's Yomiuri Giants baseball team.

A young DJ inspired by bigger names

DJ RINOKA has credited Amelie Lens and Nina Kraviz as major inspirations. Her interest is mainly focused on techno, a style known for its electronic sounds and strong, repetitive beats.

Guinness World Records also notes other young and record-holding DJs. The youngest male club DJ is DJ Archie from the UK, who set his record in 2019 at 4 years and 130 days old. Japan is also home to DJ Sumirock, who was still performing in Tokyo clubs at 88 in 2023.

For DJ RINOKA, though, the focus appears to remain on performing rather than simply collecting records.