If you thought playlists were just a way to shuffle your favorite songs, think again. On Wednesday (September 3), Celeb Secrets stepped inside Spotify At Mateo in Los Angeles for a one-of-a-kind playlist masterclass with the king of high-energy sets himself, Steve Aoki. The DJ/producer teamed up with Spotify to celebrate the platform’s brand-new custom transitions feature — and let’s just say, this wasn’t your average tech demo, as the room quite literally was turned into a full-blown party (and frosting fight).
From the moment we walked into Spotify LA, it was clear this was going to be more than just a tutorial. Alongside creators like Jordyn Jones, Teala Dunn, and Symonne Harrison, we learned how to take playlists to the next level by customizing transitions between tracks. Think: choosing between fade or rise, adjusting EQs, playing with waveforms — basically DJ’ing your own life soundtrack. Even better? Editorial lead Ronny Ho joined Steve to break down the feature in real time, showing just how easy (and fun) it is to experiment with seamless blends. For creators who love a curated vibe, this means playlists aren’t just playlists anymore — they’re fully immersive experiences. Imagine your workout mix never missing a beat, your road trip soundtrack gliding from one song to the next, or your party playlist keeping the energy high from start to finish. You can even customize the playlist cover art with new stickers and labels available exclusively for mixed playlists, adding an extra layer of personalization.
After the lesson, Aoki did what he does best: turned the whole thing into a party. He hopped behind the decks for an exclusive set, even dropping an unreleased KPop Demon Hunters remix that had everyone filming on their phones. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Steve Aoki show without a little tradition — yup, we’re talking about the iconic caking moment. Creators Emma Norton and Coco Mocoe got the sweetest surprise (literally) as Aoki launched full cakeface mode, ending the night with frosting everywhere and vibes at an all-time high.
And yes, the Celeb Secrets team did snag a pic with Steve himself! We also dropped a recap reel capturing the chaos, the music, and the cake — so if you missed it, don’t worry, you can live the moment right along with us.
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Spotify’s custom transitions feature gives Premium users the ability to seamlessly control how each track flows into the next. You can start with an auto mix for an instant, smooth blend, or tap into the customization tools to adjust volume, EQ, effects, and even the exact beat where one track transitions to another. Want a gradual fade, a rising build, or a sudden punch? You can do that.
With Spotify’s new transitions feature, playlists have officially leveled up. Whether you’re mixing for a workout, a chill night, or a dance party, you now have the tools to control every beat and create something uniquely yours. Just hit the Mix button, play with the presets, fine-tune the transitions, save your masterpiece, and even collaborate with friends who are Premium users. And with Aoki leading the charge, one thing’s for sure: playlists will never be the same again.
Ready to mix it up? Listen to Steve Aoki’s Mixed Playlist on Spotify below and start creating your own transitions today!
