Alok, the most successful Brazilian DJ of his generation, has launched a new live show titled "Rave the World" after reconsidering a more pretentious name. The 34-year-old artist, who placed third in DJ Mag's annual ranking of the world's top 100 DJs in 2024, is striving to balance his environmental impact with his global touring schedule.
From Psytrance Roots to Global Stardom
Alok grew up at Universo Paralello, one of Latin America's largest open-air raves, founded by his father, Juarez Petrillo. He began his career in the psytrance duo Lógica with his twin brother. In 2010, at age 19, the duo traveled to London but failed to secure gigs, leading Alok to work as a bartender. After returning to Brazil, he shifted to a mainstream tech-house sound, achieving hits like "Hear Me Now" with nearly a billion Spotify streams.
Alok's rise to fame was accompanied by personal struggles, including depression at age 24 when he first topped Brazil's DJ scene. He describes falling into an "existential void" and seeking answers, a journey that led him to connect with Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Collaboration and Philanthropy
For his debut album, The Future is Ancestral (2024), Alok collaborated with over 50 artists from different Indigenous ethnic groups, blending traditional chants with EDM. He participated in an ayahuasca ceremony with the Yawanawá people in northern Brazil. "It's about them speaking about their own culture, and not some white guy, once again, telling the story," he says. Alok's nonprofit has donated £5.4m to climate, Indigenous, and human development causes since 2020, according to its website.
Carbon Offsetting and Criticism
Alok claims to offset carbon emissions from his events through a partnership with Latin American company Solví, which captures and treats biogas from landfills. For every tonne of CO2 emitted, methane is trapped and converted into renewable energy. While offsetting is endorsed by the UN, some experts dismiss it as greenwashing. Artists like Massive Attack have gone further, using only renewable energy at festivals and discouraging car travel.
When asked about his private jet use, Alok says, "I don't have my own plane any more. I offset my emissions, but I didn't stop emitting. I've looked into sustainable aviation fuel, but nothing will change as long as the system resists it."
AI and Superstar DJ Culture
At Coachella 2025, Alok performed "Keep Art Human," a show with 50 dancers replacing big screens and pyrotechnics. He views AI as a tool but warns, "art is not about comfort, it's about confrontation. Through music we shape society too, and we can't delegate this to AI." He also criticizes superstar DJ culture, stating, "We're here in service, all the time."
Alok recalls advice from spiritual leader Sadhguru: "If you set out to save the world with dirty hands, you'll get everything dirty. First you have to be right with yourself." Despite his philanthropic efforts, Alok acknowledges the contradictions in his lifestyle. He tours Brazil from 23 June and plays global festivals throughout the summer.
