Skrillex
The electronic music prodigy who weaponized bass and rewired the sound of mainstream pop in the 2010s.
Born 1988 (age 38)·American DJ and producer·Birthday: January 15·Millennials
Biography
Sonny Moore's journey is a tale of radical reinvention. He first found a voice as the teenage frontman of the post-hardcore band From First to Last, channeling angst through a microphone. But the sound brewing in his head was something else entirely. Leaving the band, he dove into the digital underground, emerging as Skrillex. Armed with a laptop and a vision, he unleashed a seismic, chaotic, and irresistibly catchy sound that fused the aggression of metal with the precision of dubstep. Tracks like 'Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites' weren't just songs; they were cultural events, introducing a generation to wobbling sub-bass and explosive drops. His influence quickly bled beyond dance music, as pop and hip-hop artists sought his gritty, futuristic production touch. By winning multiple Grammys and selling out arenas, Skrillex didn't just become a star; he became an architect, defining the aggressive electronic palette of a decade.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Skrillex was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Skrillex Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Skrillex's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won eight Grammy Awards, including Best Dance Recording for 'Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites' in 2012.
- His 2010 EP 'Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites' brought dubstep to mainstream American audiences and went platinum.
- Co-produced and co-wrote major pop hits like 'Where Are Ü Now' with Justin Bieber, which won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording.
Did You Know?
He was the lead singer for the post-hardcore band From First to Last before launching his solo electronic project.
He adopted the stage name Skrillex from an old AOL screenname and a nickname given to him by friends.
He has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, from the remaining members of The Doors to rappers like Rick Ross.
“For me, it's just about making music that I would want to hear.”
