Skrillex Teases New Music, Reflects on His ‘Final Project for Atlantic Records’ & Recalls Meeting ‘My Absolute Hero’ Quincy Jones
On Monday (Nov. 18), Skrillex shared his thoughts about the music industry, teased a forthcoming project and reflected on once meeting Quincy Jones in a series of posts on X.
“I’ve never felt more inspired and in lockstep with my intentions as an artist,” the producer wrote in the first post. “As I’m nearing completion of my next work and my final project for Atlantic Records I can’t help but feel very existential about it all.”
The majority of Skrillex’s releases have been through Atlantic subsidiaries, including Big Beat Records and Skrillex’s own OWSLA imprint, with the partnership going back to his 2010 debut EP Weekends!!! and including his 2014 debut album Recess, his 2023 LPs Quest for Fire and Don’t Get Too Close, along with his 2024 singles “Push” and “Pepper.”
Skrillex then referred to what seems to be a yet-unannounced project, saying, “I’m thrilled to get this out and focus on more release[s] 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 executives to do what I do.
“But now I’m able to rethink/relook at how the structures are designed,” his posts continued, “I want to find ways to simplify [disseminating] music and art. I see lots of artists in a constant panic.”
He writes that “the industry is like politics, it’s designed to be almost impossible [to] understand. I’ve seen so man[y] artist get caught up in the illusion and delusion of the business. It’s a dangerous job to be a young artist. I’m blessed and lucky to have lived through what I’ve lived through and will continue to do my best as an artist and just makes things that provoke beauty and emotion.”
The producer continued his thread reflect on recently deceased music icon Quincy Jones, saying that “I got to meet Quincy jones once. He came to one of my shows and spent the time to chat after… I’ll never forget that. He’s my absolute hero and his passing has definitely put some things into perspective.”
This past February, Skrillex won the best dance/electronic recording Grammy for his Fred again.. and Flowdan collaboration “Rumble.” It was his ninth Grammy win. He’s nominated in the same category this year for his work co-producing Fred again.. and Baby Keem’s “leavemealone.”
He concluded his posts on X by writing that “it really is in the journey ..and the best things come when they aren’t expected…Make things for smile.”
Katie Bain
Billboard