Forge Brief

Skrillex

2008-present (post-From First to Last); commercial peak 2011-present (Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites, Quest for Fire)

Maximalist, dubstep-EDM, LA-OWSLA — EDM as LA-via-Skrillex-school maximalist-dubstep ritual.

Forge a Skrillex-inspired song How we score

Genres

dubstepedmelectronic danceexperimental electronic

Vocal character

Skrillex: distinctive LA-accented tenor with theatrical-EDM vocal sampling + occasional sung-rap verses. Mostly-instrumental focus with sparse-vocal-sample-as-texture arrangement; vocal-as-percussive-texture aesthetic; theatrical-EDM precision throughout.

Production markers

Skrillex self-productiondubstep + EDM + electronic-dance + experimental-electronic foundation (wobble-bass-808 sub-bass + skittering hi-hats + maximalist analog-synth + EDM-drop arrangement + vocal-chops + glitchy-synth-stabs + occasional drum-and-bass-pattern + occasional jungle-pattern)multi-tracked vocal-sample harmony stacksreverb-soaked atmospheric vocal-sample productionmaximalist EDM arrangementOWSLA collective sonic

Lyrical themes

sparse-vocal observation of EDM-club + dance-floor celebrationcollaboration-feature celebration with theatrical-EDM versescelebration of LA origin + OWSLA collectivecelebration of EDM-tradition + Aphex-Twin-school experimental electronic lineagetheatrical-EDM-vocal-sample-as-texture storytelling

Signature moves

wobble-bass-808 sub-bass foundationEDM-drop chorus + vocal-chop sample bridgemaximalist analog-synth + glitchy-synth-stab arrangementcollaboration-feature verse swap with pop or rap artist

Avoid — off-brand for this artist

minimalist arrangementrap features as dominant without EDM polishmetal screamed vocals as primaryauto-tune as crutch without EDM polishcountry productionlo-fi indie productiontheatrical pop-vocal projection

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