Net Worth Ranker
What Is Skrillex’s Net Worth?
Skrillex, the American electronic music virtuoso, boasts a substantial net worth estimated at $70 million. This impressive financial standing is largely attributed to his multifaceted career as a DJ, record producer, and shrewd entrepreneur in the music industry. A significant portion of his wealth is derived from touring, where he commands substantial fees for his electrifying performances. Licensing his music for use in films, television shows, and video games also contributes significantly to his annual earnings, often exceeding $20 million before taxes. Beyond his own artistic endeavors, Skrillex has expanded his income streams by producing hit tracks for prominent artists like Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Diplo, further solidifying his financial success. Moreover, strategic real estate investments have proven to be a lucrative avenue for wealth accumulation, showcasing his keen business acumen.
Skrillex’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Sonny John Moore, the individual behind the Skrillex persona, was born on January 15, 1988, in Los Angeles, California. His early years were spent in the Highland Park neighborhood of Northeast Los Angeles until the age of two, after which his family relocated to the Forest Hill area of San Francisco, where he attended elementary school. His personal history includes being adopted at birth by close family friends of his biological parents, a revelation that occurred when he was 15 years old. His educational journey involved attending a boarding school in the Mojave Desert LV during his 9th and 10th years, followed by a return to Northeast Los Angeles at age 12. At the age of 14, he was homeschooled because of bullying at school, but dropped out of the program at age 15. During his teenage years, Moore immersed himself in the punk music scene and attended electro club raves, shaping his musical sensibilities and ultimately paving the way for his future career in electronic music. Moore’s musical career began in 2004 when he joined the band From First To Last. The band had formed in Tampa, Florida, in 1999, and was composed of Moore as lead vocalist, lead guitarist Matt Good, rhythm guitarist Travis Richter, bassist Matt Manning, and drummer Derek Bloom. Moore initially joined the band as their rhythm guitarist, but after other members heard Moore sing, they opted for him as the band’s new lead singer.
Skrillex’s Rise to Fame and Musical Achievements
Skrillex’s journey to becoming a highly successful solo artist took off after he departed From First To Last. He began by releasing demos on MySpace and embarked on tours with a full band, including the Team Sleep Tour, where he shared the stage with supporting acts like Monster in the Machine and Strata. From March to May 2008, he participated in the second annual AP Tour, hosted by Alternative Press Magazine, alongside All Time Low, The Rocket Summer, The Matches, and Forever the Sickest Kids. In April 2009, under the name Sonny Moore, he released the digital EP “Gypsyhook”. Skrillex officially emerged as a music persona in 2008, when Moore started producing and performing music in Los Angeles clubs using the alias Skrillex. His debut release as Skrillex, “My Name Is Skrillex,” was released on June 7, 2010. He was signed to mau5trap recordings later that year, and then went on a nationwide tour with deadmau5. He also released his second EP “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” (2010). In August 2011, Moore announced the establishment of his record label, OWSLA. The label’s co-founders include Tim Smith, Kathryn Frazier, and Clayton Blaha. Artists under the label include Dillon Francis, Marshmello, Skrillex himself, Zedd, and Porter Robinson, and its first release was Porter Robinson’s “Spitfire” (2011). In December 2011, he released the “Bangarang” EP, and then in January 2013 he released the EP “Leaving.” His debut full-length solo album, “Recess”, was released on March 18, 2014. In 2017, Moore reunited with From First To Last, joining them for a performance at Emo Nite LA for the first time in a decade. He collaborated with Poo Bear and Hikaru Utada on “Face My Fears,” the opening song for the video game “Kingdom Hearts III,” released on January 19, 2019. He also released the two-track EP “Show Tracks” in 2019, featuring Alvin Risk and Beam. Moore has contributed to various other projects and collaborations, including providing programming and vocals for the third studio album of UK band Bring Me the Horizon; the track “Zoology” on Knife Party’s first release; the song “Lick It” on Kaskade’s 2011 album “Fire & Ice”; he produced the track “Get Up” for Korn; the song “Hate” for the Korean girl group 4Minute, which marked his entry into the K-pop industry; the track “Chicken Soup” (2017) with Habstrakt; “Saint Laurent” (2017) with DJ Sliink and Wale; and “Favor” (2017) with Vindata and NSTASIA. He also produced and mixed “8”, the eighth studio album by the rock band Incubus. Skrillex’s music has also been featured in various television shows and films. For example, his song “First of the Year (Equinox)” appeared in the first episode of the “Beavis and Butt-head” revival in 2011, and he composed “Bug Hunt” for the animated film “Wreck-It Ralph” (2012), and he composed the score for the film “Spring Breakers” (2012) with Cliff Martinez. He has won Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording, Best Dance/Electronica Album, and Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical in both 2012 and 2013. He also won Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording and Best Dance/Electronic Album in 2016.
Skrillex’s Other Musical Ventures and Collaborations
In addition to his work with From First To Last and his solo career, Moore is part of two other side projects: Dog Blood, a group consisting of Moore and Boys Noize, formed in 2012, with songs such as “Next Order” and “Middle Finger”; and Jack Ü, a duo consisting of him and Diplo. Moore has also collaborated with other artists. These collaborations have undoubtedly contributed to Skrillex’s overall earnings and net worth by expanding his audience reach and generating additional revenue streams through royalties and performance fees.
Skrillex’s Real Estate Investments and Assets
Skrillex has demonstrated shrewd investment acumen through his real estate ventures. In October 2016, he acquired an undeveloped plot of land in Malibu, California, for $6 million. On this 1.11-acre property, he constructed a luxurious 12,000-square-foot mansion. The home boasted panoramic hilltop views of the Pacific Ocean, along with six bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a private movie theater, a state-of-the-art gym, and other high-end amenities. In December 2020, Skrillex listed the Malibu mansion for sale at $25 million. The property was eventually sold in July 2021 for $17.5 million, yielding a significant return on his initial investment and construction costs. It is important to note that real estate values can fluctuate based on market conditions, location, and property features. The specifics of Skrillex’s real estate holdings, beyond the Malibu property, remain largely private. Public records may provide details on additional property ownership, but comprehensive information on his real estate portfolio is not readily available. It’s worth mentioning that some high-net-worth individuals use legal structures like trusts or LLCs to hold real estate assets, which can obscure individual ownership in public records.
Skrillex’s Earnings and Income Streams
Skrillex’s income is derived from a variety of sources, including: Touring and Live Performances: Skrillex is a highly sought-after DJ and live performer, commanding substantial fees for his appearances at music festivals, concerts, and private events. His per-show earnings can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the event’s scale and location. Record Sales and Streaming Revenue: Skrillex earns royalties from the sale of his music (albums, EPs, and singles) and streaming revenue generated on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The specific amount of revenue depends on factors such as the number of streams, the royalty rates paid by the platforms, and his record label contracts. Music Production and Songwriting: In addition to his own music, Skrillex produces and writes songs for other artists. This work generates income through production fees, songwriting royalties, and a share of the revenue generated by the songs he produces. Licensing: Skrillex’s music is frequently licensed for use in films, television shows, commercials, and video games. Licensing fees can vary widely depending on the project’s scope and the prominence of the song. Merchandise: Skrillex sells branded merchandise, such as clothing, accessories, and posters, through his website and at live events. Merchandise sales contribute to his overall income. Endorsements and Partnerships: Skrillex has partnered with various brands for endorsements and promotional campaigns. These partnerships can generate substantial income through appearance fees, social media promotions, and other marketing activities. Business Ventures: Skrillex founded the record label OWSLA, which has signed numerous successful artists. OWSLA generates revenue through record sales, streaming royalties, and other music-related activities. The specific details of Skrillex’s contracts, royalty rates, and endorsement deals are typically confidential. Publicly available information on these income streams is often limited to estimates based on industry averages and reports. It’s important to note that Skrillex’s income is subject to fluctuations based on his activity level, the success of his music, and the state of the music industry.
