At an age when most children are only beginning to discover what music they like, Illumi Maeda was already learning how to mix it. What started as an early fascination with DJing has now taken the six-year-old from Japan into the Guinness World Records books under the name DJ ILLU. Her new title as the world’s youngest female club DJ may be the headline, but the story began several years before the record itself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords)

DJ ILLU Became The World’s Youngest Female Club DJ

After beginning DJ lessons at three years old, Illumi Maeda spent the next few years developing her skills before attempting the record in Yokohama, Kanagawa. On March 28, 2026, she performed for more than an hour and, at 6 years and 99 days old, officially became the world’s youngest female club DJ recognised by Guinness World Records.

Nerves and equipment problems complicated the day, something Illumi Maeda later recalled when speaking about the performance. She still completed the set and secured the record, surpassing the previous title held by fellow Japanese DJ RINOKA.

Her Interest In DJing Started At Home

Illumi Maeda’s mother regularly played different genres around the house and in the car, while gatherings with friends from different countries exposed her to even more music from an early age. She also remembers dancing to classical music with her great-grandparents. Some of her mother’s friends who worked as DJs later began showing her how to use the equipment, eventually leading to her first lessons at three.

As her own taste developed, Avicii became one of the artists she listened to when she felt low or needed something to lift her mood. His music showed her how much a song could affect the way someone felt, an experience that influenced what she hopes people will get from hearing her perform.

“I want to become a DJ who makes music that lifts people’s spirits, brings them comfort, and helps them through difficult times, wherever they are in the world,” she said.

DJ ILLU Wants To Take Her Music To Festivals

When Illumi Maeda talks about what she enjoys behind the decks, much of it comes back to watching people respond to the music. She likes seeing people dance, have fun and express themselves, while also enjoying the moment when different sounds blend together during a mix.

Those experiences have already made her curious about where DJing could take her next. DJ ILLU hopes to perform at festivals around the world and attempt another DJ-related Guinness World Records title in the future. She also has another goal outside festival stages: opening an ice cream shop where she can DJ at the same time.