Skrillex

Skrillex
Name	Skrillex
Birth name	Sonny John Moore
Birth date	15 January 1988
Birth place	Los Angeles, California, United States
Origin	North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Genres	Dubstep, Electronic dance music, Electro house, Post-hardcore
Occupations	Record producer, DJ, singer, songwriter
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Big Beat Records, Atlantic Records, Owsla
Associated acts	From First to Last, Jack Ü, Diplo, Deadmau5, Justin Bieber

Skrillex is the stage name of Sonny John Moore, an American record producer, DJ, singer, and songwriter known for popularizing modern dubstep and electronic dance music in the early 2010s. He rose to prominence after his departure from the post-hardcore band From First to Last and the release of influential EPs that blended elements of electro house, brostep, and breakbeat. His work has intersected with mainstream pop, hip hop, and experimental electronic scenes, earning widespread commercial success and multiple industry awards.

Early life and education

Sonny John Moore was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in North Hollywood and Sherman Oaks. He attended local schools in the San Fernando Valley region and became involved with punk and alternative scenes influenced by bands such as The Prodigy, Nine Inch Nails, and The Cure. During adolescence he performed in punk and post-hardcore venues alongside acts like Glassjaw and Thursday before joining From First to Last as lead vocalist.

Career

After leaving From First to Last in 2007, Moore launched a solo career producing electronic music and released early material on independent outlets before founding the label Owsla with associates from the EDM community. Breakthrough EPs such as "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" propelled him into international festivals including Ultra Music Festival, Coachella, and Electric Daisy Carnival. He collaborated with major labels like Atlantic Records and Big Beat Records, contributed production for artists including Lady Gaga, Kanye West, and Ludacris, and formed the duo Jack Ü with Diplo, leading to high-profile performances and charting singles. His touring and studio work connected him with producers and performers across genres, from Calvin Harris to Kendrick Lamar.

Musical style and influences

Skrillex's music integrates elements from dubstep pioneers such as Benga and Skream, the heavy electronic textures of Excision, and the aggressive energy of post-hardcore bands like Refused and At the Drive-In. He employs techniques drawn from electro house producers including Deadmau5 and Daft Punk, layering pitched vocal chops, complex sidechain compression, and modular synthesis reminiscent of work by Aphex Twin and Squarepusher. His sound design often references film and video game scoring traditions exemplified by composers like Hans Zimmer and Nobuo Uematsu, while his rhythmic structures show influence from hip hop producers such as Pharrell Williams and Dr. Dre.

Collaborations and side projects

Beyond his solo output, Skrillex has worked with a wide array of artists and projects: the collaborative project Jack Ü with Diplo produced the hit single featuring Justin Bieber; production credits include work with Beyoncé, Ellie Goulding, and Rihanna; and remix partnerships span Zedd, Boundaries and Porter Robinson. He has participated in cross-genre ventures alongside rock acts like Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Doors archival projects, scored for visual media connected to franchises such as Marvel Cinematic Universe-adjacent properties, and supported emerging producers via Owsla signings including What So Not and JOYRYDE.

Awards and recognition

Skrillex has received multiple industry accolades, including several Grammy Award wins in categories like Best Dance/Electronica Album and Best Dance Recording. His EPs and singles have been honored at ceremonies such as the Billboard Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards, and he has topped charts like the Billboard 200 and UK Singles Chart through collaborations and releases. Festivals and institutions such as Coachella, Glastonbury Festival, and the Brit Awards have acknowledged his impact on contemporary electronic music.

Personal life and public image

Moore's public persona blends the DIY ethos of punk scenes with the celebrity culture surrounding mainstream electronic music, placing him in intersectional networks with figures like Calvin Harris, Avicii, and Deadmau5. He has been private about family matters, occasionally sharing aspects of his life through interviews on platforms including BBC Radio 1 and Rolling Stone features. His visual style and branding have influenced fashion collaborations with labels akin to Supreme and music technology endorsements involving companies like Moog Music and Native Instruments.

Category:American DJs Category:American record producers Category:Electronic musicians Category:Grammy Award winners