World-renowned DJ and producer Skrillex, aka Sonny John Moore, celebrated his 35th birthday on January 16th. In honor of his 35th “lap around the sun,” he tweeted out the reason behind his step back from touring and live performances. He shared that 2022 had been the “toughest year” of his life and he had to take time to focus on his personal health and well-being.
Had the toughest year of my life in 22, as did so many others. I literally found myself with no drive and purpose for the first time in my life
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
He stated that he actually pulled out of Movement Music Festival and Sunset Music Festival last year because “I was working on myself,” despite originally attributing the cancellations to working on a new album.
Skrillex also noted that he lost his mother a few years ago while touring and never gave himself the time to cope with his grief. Instead he “drank the pain away and kept going.”
Mental health has been a popular discussion topic in recent years and, judging from the replies to Skrillex’s tweets, people appreciate him speaking out.
A number of others in the industry responded to his tweets, sending love and thanking the producer for his honesty. “This thread is really beautiful. Allowing this kind of vulnerability and honesty is so healing, and this will inspire so many people. Proud of you for sharing this. Sending so much love your way,” said artist and actor, Simon Curtis.
The Grammy-winning DJ rose to prominence in late 2010 with the release of his third EP, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites. Since then, he’s dropped a number of crowd-favorites, including ‘Where Are Ü Now (with Justin Bieber),’ which has more than a billion listens on Spotify, and ‘Bangarang (feat. Sirah)‘ with nearly half a billion listens.
His apparent disappearance from the music scene did not go unnoticed. In fact, if you Google Skrillex, one of the top questions is “What happened to Skrillex?” However, the heavy-hitting DJ has already dropped two new songs this year, ‘Rumble‘ and ‘Way Back,’ so we can reasonably expect to see additional new music from him in the coming months.
Read the rest of his birthday tweet thread below and listen to more of his music on Spotify.
My mother passed away a few years back 2Nd day of Lalapalooza tour in SA. I never ever coped with it … I drank the pain away and kept going
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
People ask why “I’ve been gone” or “fell off”, rightfully so. Like I said , 22 was sort of my tipping point, I had to put everything on ice especially my projects/ career
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
the truth is I didn’t cancel sunset and movement festival because of my albums. It we because I was working on myself
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
For the first time in 4-5 years I’ve found a new sense of peace. It took so much work and sacrifice to get here.
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
There’s my bday tweet to you all.. Turing 35 for me was realizing the are certain fucks you should not give , you’ll be more free for that
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
Here’s to 35 laps around the sun and to the fucks I will no longer give 🫶
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
Lastly, the support you’ve all shown over the years does mean the world and I’ll continue to work on myself and not get into a situation where I have to cancel shows / go into hiding
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
To quote the wise women @BibiBourelly , “yeah it’s deep, but shit ain’t that deep”
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
And the enigmatic @bloodpop “at the end of the day (music) is just squiggly air” also not that fkn deep 😂😂
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023