Skrillex facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Skrillex
Skrillex performing with From First to Last in 2017
Background information
Birth name	Sonny John Moore
Also known as	Twipz Sonny
Born	(1988-01-15) January 15, 1988 (age 37) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Dubstep brostep EDM electro house pop post-hardcore emo
Occupation(s)	Disc jockey record producer singer musician
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Atlantic Big Beat Owsla Asylum mau5trap Sumerian
Signature

Sonny John Moore (born January 15, 1988), who is known by his stage name Skrillex, is an American DJ, music producer, and musician. He is one of the most famous artists in electronic dance music (EDM).

Before he became a world-famous DJ, Skrillex was the lead singer of the post-hardcore band From First to Last. He joined the band in 2004 and recorded two albums with them. He left in 2007 to start his own music career.

He began performing under the name Skrillex and released the dubstep EP My Name Is Skrillex for free online in 2010. His next EPs, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites and More Monsters and Sprites, became very popular. He won three Grammy Awards in 2012, including Best Dance/Electronic Album.

Skrillex has won nine Grammy Awards in total, which is more than any other electronic dance music artist. He has worked with many famous artists and formed groups like Jack Ü with Diplo and Dog Blood with Boys Noize. In 2023, he released two albums just one day apart: Quest for Fire and Don't Get Too Close.

Early Life

Sonny Moore was born in Los Angeles, California. He was adopted by friends of his biological parents. His family moved to San Francisco when he was two, and he later attended a boarding school. When he was 12, his family moved back to Los Angeles.

Because he was being bullied at school, he was homeschooled at age 14. Moore learned he was adopted in 2004 and dropped out of his homeschool program at 16. As a teenager, he loved going to punk rock shows and later, electronic music clubs in Los Angeles.

Music Career

2004–2007: From First to Last

In 2004, Moore contacted the band From First to Last to be their guitarist. When the band heard him sing, they made him their lead singer instead. The band released their first album, Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count, in June 2004.

They toured and became very successful. Their second album, Heroine, was released in 2006. Soon after, Moore began to have problems with his voice and needed surgery. He decided to leave the band to start a solo career.

2008–2013: Becoming Skrillex

Skrillex's logo

Skrillex in 2011

In 2008, Moore started making music and performing in Los Angeles clubs under the name "Skrillex." He said the name was just a silly screen name he used online and didn't have a special meaning.

In 2010, he released his first official EP as Skrillex, My Name Is Skrillex, for free. Later that year, he signed with Deadmau5's record label, mau5trap, and released the EP Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites. This EP became a huge hit and made him famous in the world of electronic music.

(L to R:) Porter Robinson, Zedd, and Skrillex performing at SXSW in March 2012

In 2011, Skrillex released another successful EP, More Monsters and Sprites. He also started his own record label, Owsla, to help other electronic artists release their music. That same year, he worked with the rock band Korn on their song "Get Up."

On December 23, 2011, he released the Bangarang EP, which included the hit song of the same name. The EP was a huge success and won him two more Grammy Awards in 2013.

2014: Recess Album

On March 18, 2014, Skrillex released his first full-length album, Recess. To announce the album, he released a special app called Alien Ride. The app had a countdown that unlocked the new songs for fans to stream. The album was a big success and reached number four on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S.

2016–2022: Collaborations and Reuniting with His Band

Skrillex performing with From First to Last in 2017.

Skrillex is known for working with a wide variety of artists. In 2016, he worked with the K-pop girl group 4Minute. In 2017, he released songs with artists like Poo Bear and Wale.

On his birthday in 2017, Skrillex surprised fans by releasing a new song with his old band, From First to Last. He later performed with them for the first time in almost ten years.

He also worked with Japanese-American singer Hikaru Utada on the song "Face My Fears". This song was the opening theme for the popular video game Kingdom Hearts III, released in 2019.

2023: Two Albums in Two Days

In January 2023, Skrillex began teasing new music. He released the single "Rumble" with fellow producers Fred Again and Flowdan. The song quickly became a hit in clubs and online.

On February 17, 2023, he released his second studio album, Quest for Fire. The very next day, while performing a huge show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, he released another album, Don't Get Too Close. This surprise release excited fans all over the world.

2024–Present: More Music and a Ninth Grammy

In February 2024, Skrillex won his ninth Grammy Award for the song "Rumble." This award confirmed his status as a leader in electronic music.

He continued to release new music, including the track "Taka" with Ahadadream and Priya Ragu in March 2024. In April 2025, he released another album titled ... U Skrillex You Think Ur Andy Warhol but Ur Not!! <3.

Personal Life

In a 2015 interview, Moore mentioned that while his parents practiced Scientology, he does not. He said that music takes up most of his time.

In 2023, Skrillex shared on social media that he had a difficult year in 2022. He said he felt he had "no drive and purpose for the first time in my life." He explained that he took time off to focus on his health and well-being before returning to music.

Discography

Studio Albums and EPs

• My Name Is Skrillex (2010)
• Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (2010)
• More Monsters and Sprites (2011)
• Bangarang (2011)
• Leaving (2013)
• Recess (2014)
• Quest for Fire (2023)
• Don't Get Too Close (2023)
• ... U Skrillex You Think Ur Andy Warhol but Ur Not!! <3 (2025)

Awards and Nominations

Skrillex has won many awards for his music. He has been nominated for 17 Grammy Awards and has won 9 of them. He has also won awards from MTV and the Annie Awards.

See also

In Spanish: Skrillex para niños

• List of Billboard Social 50 number-one artists