Candidly sharing comments on social media, Skrillex today said the music industry is “almost impossible” to understand and announced plans to go independent next year.
Atlantic Records has been the home of many of Skrillex’s influential releases, like Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites and last year’s explosive double-album release, Quest for Fire and Don’t Get Too Close. While the alliance has led to some of modern-day electronic music’s most important projects, Skrillex has now revealed that he intends to part ways with the label and become an independent artist next year.
Skrillex took to X to share a rare, candid thread about the impending move.
“I’ve never felt more inspired and in lockstep with my intentions as an artist,” he wrote. “As im nearing completion of my next work and my final project for Atlantic records I can’t help but feel very existential about it all.”
“Im thrilled to get this out and focus on more release in 25 as an ‘independent’ artist,” he added. “But ‘independent’ is such a strange term because I still depend on my team as well as all the other creatives and executors to do what I do.”
I’ve never felt more inspired and in lockstep with my intentions as an artist. As im nearing completion of my next work and my final project for Atlantic records I can’t help but feel very existential about it all
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) November 18, 2024
Im thrilled to get this out and focus on more release in 25 as an “independent” artist. But “independent” is such a strange term because I still depend on my team as well as all the other creatives and executors to do what I do
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) November 18, 2024
Later on in the thread, Skrillex opens up about the pitfalls of today’s music industry, which he says is very political and intentionally difficult by design. The electronic music vet also acknowledged the difficulties new artists face.
“It’s a dangerous job to be a young artist,” he said.
But now I’m able to rethink / relook at how the structures are designed . I want to find ways to simplify decimating music and art. I see lots of artist in a constant panic.
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) November 18, 2024
The industry is like politics , it’s designed to be almost impossible for I understand. I’ve seen so man artist get caught up in the illusion and delusion of the business. It’s a dangerous job to be a young artist.
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) November 18, 2024
At the time of writing, Skrillex has not announced a release date for his final album with Atlantic Records or his independent releases.
Follow Skrillex:
X: x.com/skrillex
Instagram: instagram.com/skrillex
TikTok: tiktok.com/@skrillex
Facebook: facebook.com/skrillex
Spotify: tinyurl.com/naka2dyv