MAKOTO

A man with glasses and a mustache wearing a brown jacket and white t-shirt stands outdoors with a city skyline in the distance. Makoto drum and bass DJ press shot.

Makoto Shimizu, known simply as Makoto, is one of the most established names in soulful drum & bass. Originally from Tokyo and now based in London, his sound blends soulful musicality with the energy of UK bass culture.

Inspired by artists such as Ryuichi Sakamoto, he began producing after discovering drum & bass through Gilles Peterson's radio shows. His breakthrough came in 1999 when LTJ Bukem signed him to Good Looking Records, launching a career defined by his signature fusion of fast breaks and soul.

Since then, Makoto has released extensively, including three albums on Hospital Records, alongside music on UKF, DnB Allstars, Liquicity and his own imprint, Human Elements. His collaboration with MC Conrad on "Golden Girl" remains one of the genre's most beloved classics.

Continuing to evolve, Makoto blends influences from soul, disco and funk into modern drum & bass while maintaining a global touring schedule across Europe, North and South America, and Asia.

Bookings - lauren@landb.agency