7 Shocking Facts About Steve Aoki's Six Siblings: The Benihana Dynasty's Diverse Empire
The Aoki family name is synonymous with two things: high-energy electronic dance music and the iconic sizzle of a Benihana teppanyaki grill. As of December 2025, the world knows DJ Steve Aoki as a global music phenomenon, but the full story of the Aoki dynasty involves six other siblings, each carving out a unique path from the shadow of their legendary father, Rocky Aoki. This deep dive uncovers the full roster of Steve Aoki's brothers and sisters, detailing their surprising careers, their connection to the Benihana empire, and the complex family dynamics that bind them.
The Aoki siblings represent a fascinating blend of Japanese-American culture, entrepreneurship, and celebrity, spanning the worlds of fashion, film, and dining. While Steve and his half-sister, supermodel Devon Aoki, are the most recognizable names, the entire family unit—including Kevin, Kana Grace, Kyle, Echo, and Jenifer—shares a remarkable, and sometimes tumultuous, legacy rooted in their father's extraordinary ambition and business acumen.
Steve Aoki: A Quick Biography and Profile
The family patriarch, Hiroaki "Rocky" Aoki, was a former Olympic wrestler and the founder of the globally recognized Benihana restaurant chain. Steve Aoki, a central figure in the electronic music scene, has built a massive career that stands independently of the family's restaurant fortune.
- Full Name: Steven Hiroyuki Aoki
- Date of Birth: November 30, 1977
- Place of Birth: Miami, Florida, U.S.
- Parents: Rocky Aoki (Father) and Chizuru Kobayashi (Mother)
- Siblings: Six (Kana Grace Nootenboom, Kevin Aoki, Kyle Aoki, Echo Aoki, Devon Aoki, and Jenifer Crumb)
- Occupation: DJ, record producer, music executive, entrepreneur
- Key Achievements: Two-time Grammy nominee, founder of Dim Mak Records, holds the Guinness World Record for the "Most Traveled Musician in a Single Year."
Meet All Six Aoki Siblings and Their Diverse Careers
Steve Aoki has six siblings, all children of Rocky Aoki from different relationships. They are a powerhouse of talent, spanning multiple industries and continuing the family’s legacy in their own distinct ways. The siblings are Kana Grace Nootenboom, Kevin Aoki, Kyle Aoki, Echo Aoki, Devon Aoki, and Jenifer Crumb.
1. Devon Aoki: The Iconic Supermodel and Actress
Devon Edwenna Aoki is arguably the most famous of Steve's siblings, known globally for her distinctive look and successful career in fashion and film.
- Relationship to Steve: Half-Sister (Daughter of Rocky Aoki and Pamela Hilburger).
- Career Highlights: She began modeling at age 13 and was signed to Storm Model Management. She became the face of Versace at 16, replacing Naomi Campbell. She is celebrated for her roles in iconic films like *2 Fast 2 Furious* (2003) as Suki, and *Sin City* (2005).
- Current Focus: While she has stepped back from full-time modeling to focus on her family, she remains an influential figure in fashion, occasionally appearing in editorials and high-profile campaigns.
2. Kevin Aoki: The Restaurateur Continuing the Dining Legacy
Kevin Aoki is the brother who has most directly continued the family's dining legacy, though through his own ventures.
- Relationship to Steve: Full Brother (Son of Rocky Aoki and Chizuru Kobayashi).
- Career Highlights: Kevin is a successful restaurateur and entrepreneur. He is the owner of the popular Doraku Sushi chain. He also co-founded Bluetree Café, a health-focused eatery, with Steve Aoki.
- Recent Activity: Kevin, along with his siblings Kyle and Echo, publicly attended the Asian Hall of Fame 2023 induction ceremony to accept a posthumous award for their father, Rocky Aoki, demonstrating their commitment to honoring the family name.
3. Kana Grace Nootenboom: The Eldest Sister and Family Anchor
Kana Grace is one of the older siblings and maintains a lower public profile compared to Steve and Devon, but she is a key figure in the family's private life.
- Relationship to Steve: Full Sister (Daughter of Rocky Aoki and Chizuru Kobayashi).
- Details: She is sometimes referred to by her middle name, Grace. She has a daughter with former musician-turned-IT professional Bruce Nu. She has been seen supporting Steve at events, such as the 2016 premiere of his documentary, *I'll Sleep When I'm Dead*.
- Role: Kana Grace was notably involved in the legal proceedings following her father's passing, working to protect the family's interests in the Benihana estate.
4. Kyle Aoki and 5. Echo Aoki: Maintaining a Private Stance
Kyle and Echo Aoki are two of the less publicly known siblings, yet they remain connected to the family's public recognition.
- Relationship to Steve: Half-Siblings (Children of Rocky Aoki).
- Recent Activity: Both Kyle Aoki and Echo Aoki were seen alongside their brother Kevin at the Asian Hall of Fame 2023 induction ceremony. Their presence at this high-profile event confirms their role in maintaining and honoring their father's legacy within the public sphere.
- Public Profile: They generally maintain a private life, with limited public details available on their professional careers, preferring to stay out of the media spotlight that follows their celebrity siblings.
6. Jenifer Crumb: The Most Private Aoki
Jenifer is the sibling about whom the least is publicly known, indicating a strong preference for privacy.
- Relationship to Steve: Half-Sister (Daughter of Rocky Aoki).
- Details: She is sometimes listed as Jen Aoki Crumb. The details of her professional life and current activities are not widely publicized, making her the most private member of the immediate Aoki family.
The Benihana Legacy and the Complex Family Feud
The underlying narrative for all the Aoki siblings is the immense legacy left by their father, Rocky Aoki, and the dramatic legal battles that followed his death.
Rocky Aoki: The Visionary Founder
Rocky Aoki was more than just a restaurateur; he was an athlete, a risk-taker, and a showman. He founded Benihana in 1964, pioneering the theatrical teppanyaki-style dining experience that became a global success. His life was marked by extreme sports, business expansion, and a larger-than-life personality that influenced all his children.
The Tumultuous Family Feud
The Aoki family history is marked by a decade-long legal battle over the control and inheritance of the Benihana fortune. The conflict began even before Rocky Aoki's death in 2008, with him suing some of his children, including Steve and Devon, over control of the trust. The core of the dispute involved the siblings' efforts to prevent their stepmother from gaining control of the family's assets.
- Key Entities: The legal battles involved the siblings, their father, and his third wife, Keiko Aoki.
- Resolution and Impact: While the legal scars have faded, the conflict highlights the intense pressure and complex dynamics that come with inheriting a massive, internationally famous family business. The siblings, particularly Kevin, have chosen to honor their father's legacy by building their own successful ventures in the dining world, while Steve and Devon have found their fame outside of the Benihana brand.
Topical Authority: The Aoki Name in Culture and Commerce
The seven Aoki siblings have collectively cemented their family name as a cultural and commercial force far beyond the original Benihana concept. Their influence is a modern case study in how a second generation can diversify and amplify a family legacy.
- Music & Lifestyle: Steve Aoki's Dim Mak Records and his global touring schedule keep the Aoki name prominent in youth culture and EDM.
- Fashion & Film: Devon Aoki’s timeless modeling career and cult-classic film roles ensure the name remains a fixture in high-fashion and pop culture history.
- Dining & Entrepreneurship: Kevin Aoki’s Doraku Sushi and Bluetree Café demonstrate a successful evolution of the family's entrepreneurial spirit in the competitive hospitality industry.
The story of Steve Aoki and his six siblings is one of immense talent, shared history, and individual ambition. From the runway to the DJ booth, and the sushi bar to the red carpet, the Aoki dynasty continues to be a powerful and fascinating force in the global landscape.
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