Skrillex Breaks Decade-Long Interview Silence on AI and Early Career

AI Music and the Human Connection

Skrillex has given his first formal interview in over 10 years, speaking with Ecco2K for the Summer 2026 print issue of 032c, the Berlin-based culture magazine. The conversation covers the evolution of the rave community and the producer's concerns about AI-generated music.

Sonny Moore told Ecco2K that he believes the worth of a piece of art can be measured by whether or not it makes a listener "feel seen." He pointed to his own experience returning to records by Justice, Daft Punk and Metallica, saying those songs still land because they carry something recognizable that had never quite been done before.

"It makes you think: 'They get me. They're on my wavelength. They're speaking to me,'" Moore said. "Maybe there are some AI songs that can go viral, but you can't have that feeling of being seen if there isn't a human on the other side."

The $2,000 Marketing Budget Behind a Breakout

Moore recalled a bootstrapped marketing budget of $2,000 behind his breakout 2010 EP, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites, far short of the industry machine some assumed was behind its rise. He attributed that success instead to timing and organic word of mouth.

"I just wanted people to come see me live, jump around in a room, and create a real, shared space – that is all I want my music to do," he said. "With Skrillex, in every era, I have this moment where I think, 'Okay, victory lap, fuck it, let's just do something' – and I keep coming back to that mindset. It always brings me where I need to be."

Atlantic Records and the Justin Bieber Skepticism

Moore also recalled the skepticism that met his desire to produce music for Justin Bieber, with whom he ultimately released the chart-topping dance-pop anthem "Where Are Ü Now" in February 2015. When he played an early version of the song for executives at Atlantic Records, the reaction was lukewarm at best.

"I remember playing the 'Where Are Ü Now' demo to some of the old regime at Atlantic and saying, 'Guys, this feels like something!' They were on their BlackBerrys like, 'Justin Bieber, hmmm interesting,'" Moore recalled.

In late 2024, the dubstep icon revealed his plans to go independent after completing his Atlantic deal. He then released his fourth studio album, F*CK U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!! <3, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album. The Summer 2026 issue of 032c is available for purchase now.