The Power of One
Steve Jobs did a lot in 56 years. He revolutionized computer technology and changed the way people think. In the past decade alone, he gave us the MacBook, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Our favorite music can now be easily organized in an iTunes library and Pixar will forever remain the gold standard for animated films. From the way we communicate down to the fabric of global culture, his impact is far-reaching.
“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.” [The Wall Street Journal, May 25, 1993]
Some were reflective. Others inspired. Steve Aoki was pissed.
Minutes after Apple announced the passing of Steve Jobs on its website October 5, worldwide news and social media networks erupted with activity. Within the electronic dance music community — which greatly owes its recent explosion to the availability of Apple technology — dozens of producers/DJs commemorated Steve Jobs in their updates.
Apple = EDM Rocket Fuel
MacBooks have gained an incredible following in the EDM community due to their reliability and superior latency. Popular platforms for both producing electronic music and performing live, they are spotted alongside many of today’s biggest artists: from Skrillex and Porter Robinson to Benny Benassi and Nero.
In 2002, Apple took over the development of Logic Pro, which quickly installed itself as one of the biggest music production platforms available. This widely used program is now in its ninth year of production and is endorsed by some of EDM’s biggest artists, including the legendary Paul van Dyk.
Further, EDM may have never enjoyed its current popularity without the iPod. First released in 2001, the iPod has been vital to upstarting the American EDM scene by enabling consumers to download and listen to various podcasts, mix shows, and mp3s anywhere they please. It is the epitome of digital music technology.
iLegacy
Few successful innovators are fortunate enough to witness the impact of their vision on the world. Steve Jobs not only witnessed his impact: he witnessed the birth of a revolution. And this is just the beginning.
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” [Stanford University commencement address, June 2005]