Shogun: The Inspiring Journey of an EDM Visionary Who Defied Expectations and Dominated the Global Music Scene
And thus, Andrew Chen was born, who would later be known to the world as Shogun, a globally acclaimed DJ and music producer who had managed to weave some very powerful magic into electronic dance music with passion, persistence, and resourcefulness for years. From aspiring artist to global icon, this is no ordinary story of musical success but one of courage, resilience, and what's possible when one truly follows his calling.
Shogun was designed by the traditional expectations of his Asian heritage, while growing up in California gave him the stress of fitting into the norms of academic and athletic expectations. Meanwhile, his love for music was sparked through the legendary sounds of DJs like Tiësto, Paul Van Dyk, and Armin Van Buuren. No time was wasted before he had opted out of that convention and chosen yet another-one fueled by the fire of creative ambition. This particular Shogun started DJing during his teenage years, playing for local parties in order to perfect his craft from those different from other teenagers. The road was hard, but his love for mixing and creating music became his driving force.
In fact, 2010 was the year Shogun brought his name to a much bigger audience. His first full-length album, Dragon, was released on the giant label Armada Music and shook the trance scene. Its melodical and uplifting sound became an instant hit worldwide, hence earning Shogun critical acclaim and a nomination for Best Trance Album at the IDMA, which stands for International Dance Music Awards. That very moment put him in the limelight and empaneled him in the most acclaimed practitioners of the art.
Dragon was the set-up track. Then came Shogun, with his unmatched talent for mixing powerful beats with emotionally driven melodies into something which would become his calling card: a sound that top DJs were sure to notice and their audiences sure to follow. His music was powerful, impassioned, with few producers releasing tunes that struck such a nerve with such a wide range of individuals. It wasn't so much that he could make your body move but rather that he could make you feel.
Of course, it wasn't easy at the start to cut into an industry where not many Asian artists had succeeded. But Shogun's relentless work ethic combined with his visionary talent saw him rise through the ranks. In 2016, he peaked at #42 in DJ Mag's Top 100 list-proof of his ever-growing influence in the EDM scene. When Shogun is on-stage-performing at some of the most legendary festivals in the world, including Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, and Electric Daisy Carnival-things are about to get really interesting. Taking the world dancing to his tunes, doing back-to-back shows with blistering performances, he had taken over. Technical precision in his sets and the ability to read the crowd right made him the darling of festivalniks worldwide, sealing his position right up there among global EDM powerhouses.
But the journey of Shogun has never been about the personal accolades. He broke cultural barriers to become the first Asian DJ to be signed by Armind, the label of Armin van Buuren. He opened those ways for generations to follow from different walks of life within the EDM genre. Proceeding with the result, his work for the progressive trance was so innovative that it found its place among influences of many producers capable of shaping the future sound of the genre. He is not confined to trance; he just always pushes the limits of his own sound, always exploring new genres and expanding his artistic horizons. Projects such as NXNJAS and Neo Tokyo have pressed his sound into house, Brazilian bass, and future rave circles, evidence that his talent is boundless. This eclecticism in his craft continues to place Shogun at the crest of a constantly evolving EDM landscape and cements the notion that his music will forever be there, present and current.
But Shogun went further and made himself an inspiration to bedroom DJs and producers worldwide. His Neo Tokyo Radio is consumed by the mind-boggling number of 20 million listeners who tune in from 35 countries weekly, a massive platform that sends his sound and message to most parts of the globe. It just goes to show that success never came from talent but from the burning passion to learn, change, and innovate.
This story is one of passion, determination, and barrier-breaking in the case of Shogun, however. It epitomizes the power of following one's dreams, stepping up to fame in the EDM world-even if dreams can be as strenuous as they come. Innovation keeps going on with him; it's an inspiring call to others that, with hard work, courage, and belief in oneself that doesn't shake, even the loftiest dream is reachable. His is a journey far from over, and with every continued push into the electrons of music, the world holds its breath as to what next emanates from this revolutionary genius.
Follow Shogun on Instagram: @djshogunmusic
