Skrillex - Biography and discography, all albums and songs

Skrillex (real name — Sonny John Moore) is an American DJ, producer, songwriter, and one of the most influential electronic music artists of the 21st century. Born on January 15, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, USA, Skrillex became a symbol of dubstep and the new era of electronic dance music, merging heavy bass energy with melodic and futuristic atmospheres.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Sonny Moore grew up in South Los Angeles, where he was fascinated by punk and alternative music from a young age. As a teenager, he began playing guitar and experimenting with home recording. In 2004, he became the lead vocalist of the post-hardcore band From First to Last, recording two albums — Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count (2004) and Heroine (2006).

After suffering vocal cord issues, Moore left the band in 2007 and turned his focus to a solo career, exploring the possibilities of electronic music and production.

The Birth of Skrillex and Breakthrough in the Electronic Scene

In 2008, he began releasing music under the stage name Skrillex. His debut EP My Name Is Skrillex (2010), released online for free, caused a sensation with its aggressive synths, chopped rhythms, and massive bass drops.

The real revolution came in 2011 with the release of Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites. The title track became an anthem of a generation and brought him international fame. The project earned Skrillex multiple Grammy Awards — including Best Dance Recording and Best Dance/Electronic Album (2012) — making him the first artist to win three Grammys for electronic music in the same year.

Rise to Fame and Industry-Changing Hits

• “Bangarang” (2011) — one of the definitive EDM anthems of the decade.
• “First of the Year (Equinox)” — a track with a cult music video that has amassed hundreds of millions of views.
• “Kyoto” and “Summit” (feat. Ellie Goulding) — perfect examples of balancing aggression and melody.
• Recess (2014) — his first studio album, showcasing the full scope of his musical range.

With his unique sound, Skrillex became a headliner at major festivals worldwide — including Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, EDC, Coachella, and Lollapalooza.

Collaborations and Experiments

Skrillex has collaborated with artists across genres, breaking the boundaries between electronic, pop, and rock music:

• Diplo — as part of the duo Jack Ü, they produced the global hit “Where Are Ü Now” featuring Justin Bieber.
• Korn — merging metal and electronics on “Get Up!” and “Narcissistic Cannibal”.
• The Weeknd, Ellie Goulding, Missy Elliott, Rick Ross — cross-genre collaborations earning international acclaim.
• Four Tet and Fred again.. — experimental projects shaping the sound of the 2020s.

Beyond his solo work, Skrillex contributed to soundtracks for projects like “Wreck-It Ralph” and the video game Kingdom Hearts III.

Labels and Production Work

In 2011, Skrillex founded his own label, OWSLA, which became a launchpad for emerging producers. Artists such as Zedd, Porter Robinson, Marshmello, and Kill The Noise began their careers there. The label became a cornerstone of the U.S. EDM and fusion scene.

Evolution and Modern Era (2020–2025)

After a creative hiatus, Skrillex returned in 2023 with two full-length albums — Quest for Fire and Don’t Get Too Close. These records received widespread critical acclaim, reflecting his evolution from classic dubstep toward experimental blends of bass, garage, and futuristic sound design.

Tracks like “Rumble” (feat. Fred again.. & Flowdan) and “Leave Me Like This” topped club charts and solidified Skrillex’s reputation as a forward-thinking innovator of the modern electronic scene.

Musical Style and Influence

Skrillex is an architect of modern EDM sound. His style fuses heavy basslines, glitch effects, syncopated drops, and emotional vocal samples. As a pioneer of American dubstep, he inspired an entire generation of producers worldwide.

His visual identity — black clothing, asymmetric haircut, and hyper-energetic performances — became an icon of 2010s pop culture.

Awards and Achievements

• 8 Grammy Awards — a record for an electronic music artist.
• Over 10 billion streams on Spotify and YouTube combined.
• Headliner of the world’s biggest festivals, with over 1,000 shows across five continents.
• Founder of OWSLA — one of the most influential EDM labels of the decade.

Personal Life and Public Work

Sonny Moore is known for his humility and private nature. He supports charitable and educational initiatives, helps young artists, and advocates for sustainability in the music industry. Skrillex also collaborates with tech companies, developing innovative tools for live performances and sound design.

Legacy

Skrillex transformed electronic music from a club phenomenon into a global cultural movement. His contributions to dubstep, EDM, and cross-genre production laid the foundation for modern dance music. Today, he remains an inspiration to millions of fans and musicians around the world.