Meet DJ ILLU, the Japanese Girl Who Became the World’s Youngest Female Club DJ at Six

Illumi Maeda, known professionally as DJ ILLU, is a young Japanese DJ who has gained international recognition for her passion for music and remarkable achievement at an early age. Born on December 19, 2019, she began learning to DJ when she was just three years old and later earned a place in Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest female club DJ.

DJ ILLU grew up in a music-loving environment, where her interest in DJing developed with help from her mother’s DJ friends. She began learning how to use DJ equipment and mix music during early childhood, gradually building the skills that would help her perform in front of live audiences.

Her musical interests include house music, electronic dance music (EDM) and hip-hop. Despite her young age, she continues to explore different sounds while developing her own identity as a DJ.

On March 28, 2026, DJ ILLU achieved a major milestone when she performed at a nightclub in Yokohama, Japan. At six years and 99 days old, she completed a one-hour DJ set in front of an audience of more than 60 people, earning recognition from Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest female club DJ.

The performance presented challenges, including technical problems with the club’s equipment. However, she continued with her set and completed the performance, demonstrating determination under pressure.

One of DJ ILLU’s musical inspirations is the late Swedish DJ and producer Avicii, known for electronic dance music hits such as “Wake Me Up” and “Levels.” She has spoken about how his music lifted her spirits and helped her appreciate the way electronic music can influence people’s emotions.

Beyond her record-breaking achievement, DJ ILLU has continued pursuing opportunities to perform and develop her musical skills. She has been associated with performances in Japan and on Gili Trawangan, an Indonesian island known for its tourism and nightlife.

Her ambitions include performing at major international music festivals and sharing her music with audiences around the world. She has also expressed an interest in opening an ice cream shop where she could serve desserts while playing music for customers.

DJ ILLU’s journey shows how a childhood interest can grow into a remarkable achievement. From her first DJ lessons at three to earning international recognition at six, she is building her musical journey while continuing to grow and learn.