Jack Ü

Jack Ü
Name	Jack Ü
Origin	Los Angeles
Years active	2013–2016
Members	Skrillex; Diplo
Genres	Electronic dance music; EDM; Dubstep; House music

Jack Ü was an American electronic music duo formed by Skrillex (Sonny Moore) and Diplo (Thomas Wesley Pentz). The collaboration brought together figures prominent in Dubstep, Moombahton, Trap music, and Pop music, producing crossover singles that charted internationally and were performed at major festivals and award shows. The project emphasized high-profile collaborations across Hip hop, R&B, Pop music, and Reggaeton, blending dancefloor production with guest vocalists from varied scenes.

Background and Formation

The duo formed in 2013 after intermittent collaborations between Skrillex and Diplo on projects involving Major Lazer and productions for artists associated with Mad Decent and OWSLA. Their first public appearances as a duo occurred at events tied to the Ultra Music Festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and club residencies in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Industry contexts included associations with labels such as Big Beat Records, Atlantic Records, Polydor Records, Interscope Records, and festival bookers like Live Nation and AEG Presents.

Musical Style and Influences

Sonically, the duo combined elements of Dubstep pioneered by producers like Benga and Skream, rhythmic approaches from Moombahton proponents including Dave Nada, and the globalized pop sensibilities of Major Lazer and M.I.A.. Influences also referenced House music innovators such as Todd Terry and Daft Punk, alongside hip-hop production techniques associated with Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and Kendrick Lamar. Their work incorporated vocal features drawing on stylistic traditions represented by artists like Justin Bieber, Missy Elliott, 2 Chainz, and AlunaGeorge, creating an amalgam that navigated between club-oriented tracks and mainstream radio formats exemplified by Billboard Hot 100 hits.

Releases and Notable Singles

Their 2015 debut studio album featured standout singles that received airplay on BBC Radio 1 and rotation on MTV and Vevo. The single featuring Justin Bieber became a charting crossover success on the Billboard Hot 100 and international charts in markets including United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Germany. Other singles showcased guest appearances from figures in Hip hop and R&B circles such as Missy Elliott, 2 Chainz, Aluna Francis, and Wiz Khalifa. Releases were distributed through major imprint partners including Republic Records and streaming platforms that partnered with labels like Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group.

Live Performances and Tours

The duo delivered sets at major festivals including Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Ultra Music Festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, and international events in Brazil, Japan, and United Kingdom. They also performed televised sets at award shows associated with Grammy Awards events and late-night platforms such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Their stage presentations referenced production practices common to residencies in Las Vegas venues and club dates in cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, often collaborating on curated nights promoted by entities like Mad Decent Block Party.

Reception and Impact

Critics from outlets covering Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, NME, and The Guardian debated the duo's approach to mainstream cross-genre synthesis, noting its influence on subsequent producers in Electronic dance music and Pop music production. Chart performance and streaming milestones placed some singles on year-end lists compiled by Billboard and playlists curated by services like Spotify and Apple Music. The project sparked discussions within scenes associated with Dubstep purists and proponents of cross-genre collaboration exemplified by Diplo's broader work and Skrillex's production catalog, influencing artist collaborations and festival programming strategies across the 2010s.

Collaborations and Side Projects

Both members continued extensive work outside the duo: Diplo maintained involvement with Major Lazer, LSD (band), and production credits for artists such as Beyoncé and Madonna, while Skrillex pursued solo releases, remixes, and production for acts including Lady Gaga and Chance the Rapper. The duo's guest collaborators included artists from Hip hop and R&B like Travis Scott and The Weeknd, as well as electronic contemporaries such as Flume and Calvin Harris. Side projects and label activities linked to OWSLA and Mad Decent continued to cultivate emerging producers and cross-cultural partnerships with performers from scenes including Reggaeton and Afrobeats.

Category:American electronic music duos